Clay and Your Health

"And as [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man which was blind from [his] birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." (John 9:1-7)

The Use of Clay

Clay is renowned to have many uses in promoting health in plants, animals and humans. Bentonite, Montmorillonite, Pascalite, as well as other types of healing clays have been used by indigenous cultures since before recorded history. Studies show that the use of volcanic ash clay internally goes back to the Indians of the high Andes mountains, tribes in Central Africa and the aborigines of Australia.

How Clay Works - Adsorption and Absorption.

The two words are similar but their differences are fundamental to understanding how clay minerals function and how clay works. Adsorption describes the process by which the charged particles of other substances combine with the charged particles on the outer surface of the clay molecule. First imagine the structure of the clay molecule to be similar to a stack of business cards. The clay molecule has unsatisfied ionic bonds around its edges and naturally seeks to satisfy those bonds. For this to happen it must come into contact with a molecule of another substance with unsatisfied bonds that carry an opposite electrical (ionic) charge. When the two molecules meet, the ions held on the outer surface of the clay molecule of the other substance. Clay molecules carry a negative electrical charge while toxins, bacteria and other impurities carry a positive charge. Positive charged toxins are attracted to the negatively charged surfaces of the clay molecule. An exchange reaction occurs in which the clay mineral ions are swapped for the ions of the toxic substance. The clay molecule is now electrically satisfied and holds onto the toxin until eliminated. Absorption is a slower and more complex process. Acting like a sponge, the clay molecule draws other substances into its internal structure. Absorption can only occur when the foreign substance has undergone a chemical change and is then allowed to enter the clay’s molecule inner structure. Once the foreign substance has undergone a chemical change, it enters into the spaces between the clay’s inner structures. So the toxins that were formerly only sticking to the surface of the clay’s outer structure through ionic bonding, are now pulled inside the clay molecule. This is the primary reason why absorptive clays are labeled as mobile layered or expandable clays. The more substances that are pulled into the clay’s inner structure, the more the clay expands and its layers swell.

Clay Baths

Because the body detoxes through the skin, clay baths are becoming more and more popular in drawing out impurities and cleansing the skin. The optimum results of clay baths are obtained by immersing ones-self in a tub of very war/hot water mixed with clay for 15-20 minutes. One of the most amazing effects of clay baths in particular is the ability of the clay to stimulate the lymphatic system. The more clay that is used in the therapy, the more powerful the response. Sprinkle 1to 4 cups or more of powdered clay into the bathtub and then run very hot water over the clay. Use a whisk to stir the clay around and help it dissolve. After it is mixed well start adding cooler water until the water reaches the desired temperature. Submerge as much as possible and soak for 15-20 minutes.

Clay Masques and full body wraps, increases circulation, exfoliate, deep cleanse, and remove impurities and excess oil from the skin. Clay baths both detoxify and stimulate the lymphatic system.