The Lost Knowledge of Healing Clays

iven the explosion of the "natural foods" market in recent years, coupled with growing emphasis on "complimentary and alternative medicine," it is surprising how little attention has been paid to medicinal clays. The right clay, properly administered, can purify the blood, reduce or even eliminate infection, heal ulcers, and even rid the body of certain allergies. And how much more natural can you get? This is clay -- straight from Mother Earth.

For its simplicity and refusal to yield to the lust for proprietary claims, clay has largely languished in the field of health care in the presence of many more expensive medical solutions - that clearly cost more and often do not produce as effective results. Such is the most prominent feature of modern medicine.

In truth, clays -- loaded in minerals (primarily inorganic) -- represent the past vital energies of sun, air, and water, and possess healing powers we have only begun to understand, both external and internal. Clays contain a slew of minerals -- mostly calcium, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.

Additionally, zinc, copper, selenium, and aluminum can be found in some types. Among native American Indian tribes, different clays were used for different ailments. Clays come in varying shades of white, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, and brown. The variety of colors is due to the variation in mineral compounds. Green clay owes its coloration to iron oxides. The Illite group of clays contains a particular species of green clay called glauconite. Generally used for cosmetic purposes, it makes a wonderful mask to draw impurities out of the skin. Red clay is often used in a bath or as a mask for the body as it disinfects, heals, soothes, and smoothes dry skin. The Kaolin group of clays is often used as a bulking agent and an antidiarrheal. As a matter of fact, Kaolin is the mineral clay used in the over-the-counter anti-diarrheal, Kaopectate. From the Smectite group of clays comes montmorillonite clay, which has very similar functionality to Bentonite clays, another type of clay from the Smectite group. (The name "Bentonite" is not its mineral name, but rather a trade name for a commercial type of clay; however, it has become well known by this name.)

Clays are amazing in their range of function. Externally, the right clay can reduce swelling, inflammation, drain infection, and cleanse and protect the skin. It is used in facials, masks, poultices, body wraps, and baths. Internally, clay cleanses and purifies, detoxifies, and balances the pH and the intestinal flora. It is not absorbed by the body, but works with the body to remove toxins, rebuild tissues, and rejuvenate tired or damaged organs.

Every alternative physician and naturopath who lives true to the sacred edicts of the healing arts should know the indispensable uses of healing clays.

To U.S. Users: These products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Thus, they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.