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.

Minerals are the building blocks of life. In fact, scientists believe that life on Earth started when hot volcanic ash was falling into the sea, and such factors as hot temperatures and the presence of minerals and oxygen in the water were conductive to chemical reactions taking place, which made it possible for DNA chains to form and the simplest organisms to come to existence. So the importance of minerals cannot be under-estimated. They take part and are part of all body processes, tissues and fluids.

Today our diet is often mineral-deficient, since we consume so many over-processed foods which are high in additives and preservatives, sodium chloride, sugars and fats, but often low in essential minerals which are abundant in 'live' (unprocessed) foods. Mineral deficiency can lead to physical discomfort and disease. If bricks are removed from a building, the building structure gets damaged and eventually collapses. Similar thing happens with minerals - chronic deficiency of even one mineral can have dire consequesnces for health.

Clays consist of a large number of minerals. Calcium montmorillonite is recorded to have no less than 67 minerals. The bulk of them includes calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, silica, manganese, boron, bromide, as well as other macro and micro-elements. Clays work with the body on a very intelligent level of ionic exchange. When we take minerals in a tablet form, they all pass through our bodies and can cause toxicity in case we take too much (like in cases with iron or zinc, for example). Clays only give the body what it needs. They 'identify' the need for particular deficient minerals on an ionic level and provide it to the body in the exact amount the body needs. At the same time, they replace the ions they give away to the body with the substances the body does not need, and take them away through eliminatory channels. It is very difficult to overdose on minerals supplied by clays - one needs to ingest quite a large amount of clay to get such an overdose. It is difficult to do, since it would be physically uncomfortable.

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. The orthodox medical approach to a disease is limited to treating its specific symptoms - mainly by removing, or suppressing them. Natural practitioners will look into the roots of the problem - what could have led to it? From the point of view of natural therapists, a symptom of a disease is the body's own effort to establish homeostasis. When something in the body is out of order - e.g. it has been invaded by a virus - the body temperature rises to fight off this virus. What do we do when we have a raised temperature? We reach for paracetamol or aspirin to reduce the fever. While very high body temperatures may make it necessary, in most cases the temperature is not life-threatening. Taking these medications would then interfere with the body's own defense system, rendering it unable to do its work efficiently - fight the invaders.

Clays have a wonderful property to affect the body as a whole by giving it the resources it needs to fight the disease - e.g. by removing toxins, not just from the intestines, blood vessels and lungs, but working on a cellular level, helping to cleanse the body cells of toxic waste and providing them with minerals essential for their healthy life. This micro-interaction with the body is what makes clays such a unique and most effective holistic medium of health.

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.

Clay is not only a powerful healer. People who fall in love with it stay with it for life, with all passion and emotion they are capable of. Mud and clay are the sources of life on Earth. It reminds us of our humble origin, and of the need to remember it. It is the beginning and the end of our brief visit into this world, as we know it. "From dust we come, to dust we go". It reminds us of our suppressed desire to cover ourselves in mud and have simple fun with it, like we used to when we were children. It keeps us grounded in our roots. It reminds us that no matter how far we have stepped into the area of scientific and industrial developments, we are still babies of Mother Earth which is the source of every single thing we eat, drink and own. It is soothing and calming when we are in tune with it, giving us reassurance that some things will never change, and we can always come back to her for food, comfort, cure. All we need to do is open our hearts and minds and reconnect with our wild, primitive roots.

Calcium Bentonite can be taken mixed with water (don't let it get into contact with metal - it will upset clay's electromagnetic balance essential for healing). Start with 1/2 a teaspoonful mixed with 200g (7oz) of water. A bit of lemon juice or cider vinegar will not only improve the taste, but will be beneficial for clay assimilation. Start by taking it it once a day - morning or evening, 1 hour before or after a meal. Increase the dosage gradually over a period of 4 weeks, first to 1/2 tsp in the morning, 1/2 in the evening, then gradually increase it to 1 teaspoonful. Many people take 1 table spoonful in the morning, and 1tbsp in the evening.

If you experience discomfort, reduce the dosage or make a break for a week and start with a smaller dose again. Raymond Dextreit, the famous French Naturopath, recommends 3 days on/4 days off/ 4 days on/ 3 days off rule, which means you take the clay for 3 days, make a 4-day break, then take it for 4 days, make a 3-day break, and so on. However, it is not necessary and depends on what suits you most.

The intake of clay is likely to be accompanied by symptoms of detoxification. It is advisable, before starting the regime of regular clay intake, to go on a detox regime for at least a week, with copious amounts of water, fruit and vegetables in the diet, and little proteins/fats, except good quality sunflower/olive oil, which can be taken without limitations - it promotes the flow of bile. The detox regime should include 1 tsp of psyllum husks diluted in 200 ml, or just water, with juice added for better taste, taken after a clay mix (1/2 tsp in 100ml of water, plus lemon juice), 3 times a day.

Having embarked on a clay/husks detox regime, people report passing a lot of unpleasant-looking things, mucus and wind (if wind becomes a problem, charcoal can be taken to relieve it, or a 1 tsp mix of dill/fennel seeds brewed as tea and drunk regularly - they also facilitate the detox). It is a good sign indicating that the detox regime is working.

Our intestinal tract gets clogged just like any sewage system would if it were abused over the years. he intestinal walls play a primary role in the absorption of nutrients, and if they are covered in muck, the absorption is impeded, so the essential nutrients pass through the body without being absorbed. This can lead to all sorts of problems - low energy and irritable bowel could be just the tip of the iceberg. I will be writing more about toxicity and detox, and will make a link to this page. With a regime high in body pollutants and low intake of water clay may help a bit, but not to its optimal abilities.

For external applications clays can be 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, mix some clay with warm water to make it quite runny. Spread over a piece of cloth. Apply on an affected area. Cover with a compress paper, wrap up in a warm cloth. Leave on until the clay dries out. Apply on aching joints, muscles, in the area of organs affected by an illness.

Poultice

A poultice has a much 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 diseased organ area, or simply where a stronger action is required. Apply warm poultice over an affected area, cover with greaseproof paper and with a warm cloth. If an area is hot and inflamed, a cold poultice application is recommended to relieve the heat and reduce the inflammation.

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, take 500g of clay, mix it in warm bath water and stay in it for up to 30 minutes, or until the water starts cooling down. I personally prefer the Rapan clays for baths, because due to their saline nature the effects are so much more pronounced, that I can feel them while still in the bath.

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. It is a luxurious and thoroughly therapeutic treatment, especially with powdered seaweed added to it. Mix the clay with seaweed powder (50/50), add water to form a spreadable mass. To do it at home, prepare a place to lie on first, and a warm room. Lay down 1 or 2 warm blankets, with a plastic sheet on top. Cover yourself with the mixture of clay and water, or clay, seaweed and water, lie down on the plastic sheet, cover yourself with the remaining half of the blanket. Make sure you remain warm throughout. Stay under the blanket for 15-30 minutes. Wash off in a shower or a bath. For a salon application, follow the normal procedure for a body wrap.

Body Powder

Use dry clay powder on weeping eczema, ulcers, Athlete's foot, any sores and wounds which need desinfection and healing.

Tooth Powder/ Mouth infections

Calcium Bentonite is an excellent bleaching and cleansing product for teeth. It is also great for the gums, preventing the formation of plaque and mouth ulcers. However, as mentioned earlier, do not over-indulge in brushing teeth with it - once every 3 days or even once a week is enough. If an inflammation of the gums or a mouth ulcer occurs, take some clay into your mouth and keep it there for a while (10-15 minutes). Do not swallow - rinse the mouth with warm water. Repeat the procedure frequently, until the inflammation goes away.

There are numerous uses of clay. I will be adding to this article gradually. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch with me by email or telephone.

Note: All information on this website is for informative purposes only. With all respect for everyone's right to choose methods of treatment and remedies, you are strongly advised not to resort to self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Do consult a doctor if you have an undiagnosed condition. If you are on a life-saving medication, please consult your doctor before using clays or any other alternatives. Since clays can absorb/bind substances, they can interfere with medicines.