Following information has been offered to me about this clay by the manufacturer.

Yellow Illite clay has a soft yellow colour and velvety texture. It is very similar to Green Illite in its therapeutic and cosmetic properties and uses. Its colour is due to a high level of iron oxide. Illite is found in certain regions in the North of France and in the Atlantic basin, in the areas abundant in red clays. It is a highly absorbent clay (30% - it absorbs 30% of water), and has a relatively low remineralisation power (8%). 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, silicium, manganese, phosporous, copper, and selenium, as well a relatively small percentage of montmorillonite.

CATIONIC/ IONIC EXCHANGE RATES FOR ALL THE FRENCH CLAYS sold by Natural Russia:

Green montmorillonite: +/- 70 meq / 100g
Green Illite: +/- 12,5 meq/ 100g
Red Illite: +/- 32 meq/ 100g
Yellow illite: +/- 32 meq/ 100g
Kaolin: +/- 72 meq/ 100g
Pink clay: +/- 26 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 (including Yellow) and the Kaolinite the absorption rate is lower.

• Topical alpplication of clay acts as an analgesic relieving aches and pains, such as muscle, joint pain, back ache, headache, etc.
• Ulcers and infected wounds will benefit most from clay applications. Clay is the greatest natural healer available to us. They were used during wars to heal badly infected wounds. Our ancestors used clays successfully for the same purpose. Now that scientists have proved antibacterial properties of clays, what has been known to man for thousands of years has at last been proved scientifically.
• Clays are a First Aid remedy against concussions, ulcers, bruises.
• Used as a mouthwash or toothpaste, clays promote healthy gums and teeth.
• Used over burns /sunburn, cold clay compresses are the fastest healing and pain relieving remedy which helps regeneration of tissue and prevents formation of scars.
• Used over a diseased organ, clays draw toxicity and the negative energy out of the area, relieve pain and promote healing.
• Used on a tense, overworked muscle, clay compresses/ poultices will help draw out lactic acid, relax the muscle and bring it back to working order.
• Used in a general bath or a foot bath, clays act as a very effective detoxifying remedy. For best results, internal clay use is recommended at the same time.
• Used in an enema/colonic irrigation procedures, it is simply the best colonic cleanser available to us.
• Used as a vaginal douche, it can help with many problems including candida.
• Used over hemorrhoids, clay helps heal them quickly.
• Used over skin conditions - acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, illite clay draws toxins out and promotes healing. It also has a drying effect.

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. 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 French illite. 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

Great for the gums, preventing the formation of plaque and 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.

Cosmetic Applications

Although suitable for all skin types, it is especially beneficial for oily, sensitive, as well as normal skin. It is also good for broken capillaries. Rich in minerals, it tonifies the skin, improves circulation, smoothes out wrinkles making the skin looking younger. It has a drying and purifying effect on the skin. This property makes Yellow Illite very useful in the treatment of acne, herpes, blackheads, abscesses.

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.