There are two well-known types of bentonite/montmorillonite clays - Calcium and Sodium Bentonite. "One is called sodium bentonite, or swelling clay. It is very fine and takes much longer time to mix with water. It is soapy to touch, because of the sodium ions which creates highly alcaline environment when mixed with water. which has single water layer particles containing Na+ as the exchangeable ion. The other has double water layer particles with Ca++ as the exchangeable ion. It is called calcium bentonite or non-swelling type. Na+ or Ca++ is exchanged by Mg++ or Fe++. A third type of montmorillonite has been identified with zero water layer particles and is probably electrostatically neutral."
http://www.mineralszone.com/minerals/bentonite.html Calcium bentonite is often referred to as Fuller's earth by a number of authorities, although strictly speaking Fuller's earth has mnagnesium as a prevailing exchangeable ion.

Calcium Bentonite is a natural hydrated aluminosilicate mineral of the smectite group of clays with the following typical empirical formula: (Al, Fe0.67 Mg0.33) Si4O10(OH)2Na,Ca0.33. Typical mineralogical composition: 95% Bentonite, <5% Quartz Typical chemical analysis of calcium bentonite: Na2O - 1.72%; MgO - 4.19%; Al2O3 - 18.23%; SiO2 - 57.74%; P2O3 - 0.13%; K2O - 3.03%; CaO - 1.93%; TiO2 - 0.39%; Mn3O4 - 0.08%; V2O5 - <0.05%; Cr2O3 - <0.05%; Fe2O3 - 3.09%.

The name "montmorillonite" comes from the name of a region in France - Montmorillon - where this clay was fisrt discovered and named in 1800. But the history of its use goes far beyond this. For centuries, various cultures, e.g. Native Americans, Africans, Asians (Mahatma Gandhi was the most famous clay-eater), have been using these clays internally and externally to treat a vast variety of illnesses. They were a part of daily rations for the Russian soldiers in both wars, and were used by German, Russian and French doctors to save many lives during the wars. Animals and birds are instinctively drawn to clay - eating it, bathing in it. Primitive cultures have been using clays for a vast number of conditions.Read more

Bentonite clays have been under increased spotlight recently thanks to their amazing infection-destroying properties. Medical circles are interested in this, due to the need to find an effective remedy to fight hospital superbugs which have become resistant to the strongest antibiotics. Excellent research information about the ability of bentonite clays to kill infection can be found on the website www.eytonsearth.org.

The theory is that clay particles are so minute, that they envelope the bacteria as if in a cocoon, depriving them of nutrition and water, causing them to die. In most research experiments, both 'in vivo' and 'in vitro', all types of bacteria used in research were neutralised within 1-2 hours. This property is being utilised in the treatment of gangrenous infections, wounds, diarrhoea, to de-contaminate water to make it suitable for drinking, etc, both by natural therapists and medical practitioners. There is powerful evidence on the treatment of Buruli ulcers - a flesh-eating condition - in the developing world by clays. I have found impressive information with photographs about the treatment of skin cancer with clay.

Bentonite clays are also called 'living clays' - due to their ability to absorb and adsorb and their ionic exchange capability. This makes them very polular for internal and external detox. Both Calcium and Sodium Bentonite can be used for this purpose. It is widely regarded that calcium bentonite is best for internal detox. However, it is subject to debate and depends on what suits each particular individual. Both clays can be used internally.

Sodium Bentonite is the 'swelling' type - it increases up to 14 times in volume when hydrated. This allows it to increase its active toxin-attracting surface manyfold. Calcium Bentonite is a 'non-swelling' clay type, but its active surface is enormous, due to a very small particle size. "Sodium bentonite, when dispersed in water, separates into suspendible flakes which are all finer than 0.5 micron. Calcium bentonite yields about 35% finer than 0.5 micron. [Generally speaking, where sodium content is 2% or over, sodium becomes an active ion, and then the clay is referred to as sodium bentonite.- GSG]

The difference in bentonite and other clays lies in lattice structure. The sheet of atoms in bentonite are much thinner and more easily separable in water. That is why bentonite occupies more surface area than other clays. This property is known as dispersibility, which is unique to swelling type of bentonite". http://www.mineralszone.com/minerals/bentonite.html

Both clays have a cumulative negative charge when hydrated, with acitve exchangeable negatively-charged ions of Calcium, Sodium or Magnesium attracting mostly positively-charged ions of toxic substances and heavy metals, binding these substances, thus neutralising them. Then these susbtances are taken out of the body through alimentary canal. This property - to attract and bind substances - has won the bentonite a reputation of 'living clay'. It is an extremely important property for detoxifying and poison-neutralising processes.

Clays work on the whole body, supporting the body and providing it with resources to remain healthy and fight disease when it occurs. I deliberately do not mention the bentonite clays here, because there are other types of clays which have profound healing, therapeutic properties.

Clays are homeostatic and affect everyone individually. There are no two completely identical organisms on Earth. Our DNA structure, health history, the way we function, think, react to various treatments, are different. For this reason, clays will interact with every one of us in a completely unique way, aiming to work in harmony with it, by gently establishing and maintaining its homeostasis, rather than invading the body and interfering with its natural defenses like many medicines do.

For external applications clays are normally used in compresses, poultices, baths, face masks, body wraps, powder applications to weeping ulcers, nappy rash, weeping eczema, fungal infections. They can also be used as tooth powders - calcium bentonite clays are excellent at removing plaque and whitening teeth, due to their bleaching properties (be careful not to over-use it for this purpose, since it can be abrasive and can wear down the enamel). In the cosmetics industry bentonites are used in soaps, toothpastes, face/body packs, and other clay-based products which are beginning to win the consumer over.

Compress

To make a compress, clay is mixed with warm water to make it quite runny, then applied on an affected area, with a sheet of compress paper on top, wrapped up in a warm cloth. This is being used for aching joints, muscles, bruises, and for healing purposes.

Poultice

A poultice normally has a more powerful effect than a compress, since it requires a lot more clay per application - 0,5-2cm thick, and it works as a mass, drawing up toxic waste into itself. The electromagnetic charge is stronger too. So the overall effect is more powerful. It is especially good for applications on a affected area, or simply where a stronger action is required. A warm poultice is applied over an affected area, covered with greaseproof paper and with a warm cloth. For hot and inflamed areas a cold compress is normally used.

Bath

A bath has a weaker effect than a poultice and a compress, unless quite a lot of clay is used. In cases of large amounts of clay being used, there may be problems with drainage afterwards unless one is careful. I normally keep stirring the water while it is being drained, and so far have avoided any blockages. For a bath 500g of the clay is normally used, mixed in warm bath water. Normal duration of a bath is 30 minutes, or until the water starts cooling down.

Face Mask

Basic face mask recipe: 1 tsp of clay + water to form a spreadable paste. Apply and leave to dry. Wash off, apply moisturiser. Clay masks can have other ingredients added, depending on the skin type and purpose of the mask. Calcium Bentonite masks have a natural bleaching effect, and are used when aiming to reduce blotches, pigmentation, etc. They are also excellent at restoring the natural pH of the skin and cleansing it. Acne/spots is another skin condition which benefits from clay applications. Since bentonite clays are great detoxifyiers, they leave the skin cleansed, pink, fresh and revitalised, generally looking younger.

Body Wrap

Body wrap is another very useful application for bentonite clays.

Body Powder

Dry clay powder is being used on weeping eczema, ulcers, Athlete's foot, any sores and wounds which need desinfection and healing.

Note: All this information is given as information only and should not be treated as medical advice. Please do not resort to self-treatment. Consult a doctor if feeling unwell. We do not diagnose or prescribe any treatments, and cannot give recommendations as to the dosage or frequency of application. Clays in the EU are not officially recognised as food products, so any internal intake would be an individual's choice, and we cannot give advice in this respect.