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FRENCH GREEN MONTMORILLONITE CLAY
French Green Montomorillonite & French Green Illite - Two Different Clays
I have come across many sites selling French Green Clay as such, without specifying whether it is a montmorillonite or an illite. I think that since these two clays have certain differences in their chemical makeup and structure, they need to be described separately, although their therapeutic properties are similar. Green clays consist of curative volcanic ashes which are found near ancient volcanoes, 20-50 meters below the ground surface. It contains only natural material treated mechanically, without any chemical additives. They are rich in magnesium and trace elements, as well as organic plant matter which alongside iron oxide determines its soft green colour (illite has a lighter hue of green than montmorillonite). They detoxify, restore mineral balance and act as an absorbents. There are two types of Green clay used in natural medicine - Montmorillonite and Illite. Montmorillonite is part of the smectite group of clays and is named after a French region Montmorillon where it was first discovered, and Illite, named after the state Illinois, USA, where it was first found in 1937. Both clays take equally important places in the restoration and maintenance of health. However, as mentioned earlier, there are certain differences: Following information has been offered to me by the manufacturer. Illite is found in certain regions in the North of France and in the Atlantic basin. Montmorillonite is found mainly in the South of France. Illite is is a non-swelling highly absorbent clay (30% - it absorbs 30% of water), and has a relatively low remineralisation power (12%). It is used in cases where detoxification and decongestion is important. Illite contains less magnesium than Montmorillonite. The active minerals in illite include calcium, silicium, several important mineral oxides, magnesium, potassium, dolomite, silicium, manganese, phosporous, copper, and selenium, as well a relatively small percentage of montmorillonite. Montmorillonite of the South of France enjoys the sun 260 days per year. It lies in the Mediterranean basin and is rich in magnesium. Its sorptive properties are less than those of the Illite (it absorbs 20% of water), but its remineralisation properties are very high - 70%. Cationic (ionic) exchange rate, alongside their sorptive properties, is one of the most important factors of clays. In fact, each type of clay exchanges mineral elements with the environment they are in and has a certian coefficient of absorption which varies from one clay to another. Montmorillonite has 60-70 Meq/g catioinic exchange rate, while Ilite has around 12 Meq/g, . This fundamental property is used in natural treatments to neutralise toxins, poisons, as well as to bring to the body the minerlas it needs to stay healthy. Magnesium plays a particularly important role in health maintenance taking part in about 350 reactions in the body, and is part of the ATP (the energy molecule). Without sufficient magnesium we develop all sorts of problems. Green mopntmorillonite clay is high in magnesium.
CATIONIC/ IONIC EXCHANGE RATES FOR ALL THE FRENCH CLAYS sold by Natural Russia:
Green montmorillonite: +/- 70 meq / 100g
Both Illte and Montmorillonite clays absorb water. However, the Montmorillonite clay is called 'the swelling' type, while illite clays are called 'non-swelling'. I have been wondering - why? They both absorb water, so both should be referred to as 'swelling' clays. I have asked the manufacturer to explain the difference. The reply I received was something I could not find anywhere. Apparently, the illite clays have a highly poprous crystal structure, so the water gets inside the crystals, which makes the clays so absorbent. With montmorillonites, on the other hand, the water gets between the flat layers in the clay particles, which causes the layers to move apart, causing the 'swelling' effect. Both the Green Montmorillonite and the Green Illite can absorb a large amount of water. For the other Illite clays and the Kaolinite the absorption rate is lower.
Green Montmorillonite Clay - Therapeutic Properties, Uses & Applications
French Green Montmorillonite is a swelling clay, since montmorillonite is a swelling mineral. This means that its crystalline structure can shift outwards when hydrated with water, increasing its active surface. Recent research indicates that French Green clay has the ability to bind mycotoxins in the digestive system of animals as well as several bacteria in-vitro. "In experiments, the clay killed up to 99 per cent of superbug colonies within 24 hours. Control samples of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) grew 45-fold in the same period. The clay has a similar effect on other deadly bacteria tested, including salmonella, E. coli, and a flesh-eating disease called buruli, a relative of leprosy which disfigures children across central and western Africa. It has been classed as "an emerging public health threat" by the World Health Organization (WHO)." The effectiveness of the French green clays, which are mostly made of minerals called smectite and illite, was first demonstrated by Line Brunet de Courssou, a French doctor fighting buruli at clinics in Ivory Coast and Guinea." The Independent, 28 October 2007. A German scientist once described the bactericidal properties of clay: "The curative properties of clay are founded in its special physical characteristics, above all in the distribution of its minute particles. Individual clay particles are smaller than many bacteria. If infected mucous membranes are more or less flooded with clay, the bacteria are completely surrounded by clay particles and are thus separated from their source of nourishment and become imbedded in the inorganic material. Growth and the survivability of the bacteria are thus halted almost instantaneously, and from this explained strikingly speedy abatement of the symptoms of infection and/or symptoms of poisoning in acute infectious diseases of the alimentary canal." Julius Stumpf, Bolus fur medizinische Anwenduno Darmstadt, 1916, p. 19. French Green Montmorillonite Clay is closely related to Bentonite clay - they belong to the same group of smectite clays. The clay on our site is very rich in magnesium, as well as iron, manganese, calcium, silica and and other macro and micro nutrients, helping the body reminerilisation. It activates blood circualtion, regeneration of cells/tissues, promoting healing of ulcers, helping bind and take out of the body harmful free radicals. Due to its high ionic exchange capacity, French Green Montmorillonite clay is a superb detoxification product. Its detoxifying properties are explained by 2 main factors:
French Green Montmorillonite clay is like a sponge, attracting water and toxins not only to its negatively charged surface, but also inside its numerous canals, 'trapping' them there via ionic exchange process. The body gets the 'good' mineral from the clay in return. It is difficult to list all the wonderful benefits of these clays - not only because clays' properties have not been researched as wel as they deserve, but also due to the fact that there is no condition on Earth which cannot be helped with clay in some way, so I will list benefits of clay use according to a method of use - internal (drinking) and external. I do not distinguish between the montmorillonite and illite clays here - they both work as detoxifyiers and natural suppliers of minerals, albeit on a somwhat different basis.
French Green Clays 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, some people report passing 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). This may or may not happen - I guess it depends largely on the body toxicity. 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 may 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 will of course help remove toxic waste. However, to achieve optimal results, one must make lifestyle and dietary changes alongside using detoxifying substances like clay, magnesium chloride and zeolite.
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 an affected area, or simply where a stronger action is required. Apply a warm poultice over the area, cover with grease-proof paper and 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 more general, less concentrated effect than a poultice or a compress. In cases of large amounts of clay being used, there may be problems with water drains afterwards. However, for this to happen, the clay solution would have to be rather thick. I normally keep stirring the water while it is being drained to avoid such problems. For a bath, take 500g-1kg 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. Never re-use clays/ clay water, since the point of using clay is to remove toxins, and re-using it would mean bringing the toxins back. 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. Green clays are excellent at restoring the natural pH of the skin and cleansing it. Acne/spots is another skin condition which benefits from clay applications - the French Illite is the best for it. Since green 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 green 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 Green clays are great for gums, preventing formation of plaque and treating mouth ulcers. 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.
Articles about clays
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