The uses of loess are very diverse because the bio-vitality in the Korean medical
loess is very strong. Over five hundred million microorganisms inhabit a spoonful
of loess, thus making it effective in many ways.

Hwangto or loess is formed through the weathering of clay minerals.It
  is a composite of silica, aluminum, granite, talc, pyrophylite, biotide,feldspar,
  acid clay and quartz, all of which are abundant in Korea. A microorganism called
  ``catalaze'' in hwangto has the vital function of dissolving fat formed
  by perxides which cause aging in the human body. Some microorganisms in hwangto
  transform carbon monoxide and other harmful gases in the human body into carbon
  dioxide and other harmless materials.

Silicon, the chief element of loess, is an important component in animal
  and human bones, blood vessels,hair and nails. Perhaps for this reason,Koreans
  find comfort in that they will return to the earth from which they came _ hence
  it is said of the dead that they have``returned.''

Since ancient times, Oriental people have widely utilized hwangto in
  curing diseases, building houses and for other purposes. They even loved to
  wear clothes died the yellow hwangto color with unripened persimmon. The popularity
  of hwangto persists today _ well evidenced by the increasing use of loess in
  the building of urbanite's country homes and the ubiquitous hwangto saunas across
  the nation.

In ancient Oriental architecture, hwangto was used as the basic material in
  house-building.

Ancient Chinese historical accounts described Korean clay houses as being
  very distinct.