Bentonite clay for internal healing
The idea of eating clay to promote
internal healing will undoubtedly
appear to many as farfetched, if not a
little primitive.
But natural clay, especially the form known as "bentonite clay", has not only been used
medicinally for hundreds of years by indigenous cultures around the planet, but has, in
recent years, been increasingly used by practitioners of alternative medicine as a simple
but effective internal cleanser to help in preventing and alleviating various health
problems.
The name "bentonite clay" refers to a clay first identified in cretaceous rocks in Fort
Benton, Wyoming. Although bentonite deposits can be found throughout the world,
many of the largest concentrations of clay are located in the Great Plains area of North
America.
Bentonite is not a mineral, but a commercial name for
"montmorillonite", the active mineral in many medicinal clays. The
name ""montmorillonite" comes from the city Montmorillon, in
France, where the medicinal clay was first identified.
Bentonite clay - used by indigenous tribes and animals for centuries
Clay is one of the most effective natural intestinal detoxifying agents available to us and
has been used for hundreds of years by native tribes around the globe.
Primitive tribes have traditionally used various types of clay for conditions of toxicity.
Dr. Weston A. Price in his book, "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration (1), stated that in
studying the diets of native tribes he examined their knapsacks. Among the tribes
examined in the high Andes, in Central Africa and the Aborigines of Australia, Dr. Price
reported that some knapsacks contained balls of volcanic ash clay, a little of which was
dissolved in water. Pieces of food were then dipped into the clay.
Animals in the wild, drawn to clay deposits by instinct, have been observed licking the
clay as part of their everyday diet as well as rolling in it to get relief from injuries.
Liquid bentonite for elimination
Taken internally, liquid bentonite supports the intestinal system in the elimination of
toxins. Liquid bentonite is inert which means it passes through the body undigested.
Bentonite clay is made up of a high number of tiny platelets, with negative electrical
charges on their flat surfaces and positive charges on their edges.
When bentonite clay absorbs water and swells up,
it is stretched open like a highly porous sponge.
Toxins are drawn into these spaces through
electrical attraction and bound. In fact, according
to the Canadian Journal of Microbiology (2),
bentonite clay can reportedly absorb pathogenic
viruses, as well as herbicides and pesticides.
The bentonite is eventually eliminated from the body with the toxins bound to its
multiple surfaces.
Bentonite clay and diarrhea
In his book "The Clay Cure" (3), Ran Knishinsky discusses how diarrhea can be
remedied through the use of bentonite clay because of its ability to bind stools.
Bentonite clay can take effect right away by binding to irritants in the gastrointestinal
tract. It's a good idea to mix the bentonite clay with 1 cup of applesauce, which not only
makes the clay more palatable, but also adds pectin, which is another binding agent.
Bentonite has many uses
Bentonite is used in pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetics markets. Bentonite is used
as a filler in pharmaceutical drugs, and due to its absorption-adsorption capabilities, it
allows paste formation. Bentonite is used in industrial protective creams, wet
compresses, and anti-irritant lotions for eczema. In medicine, bentonite is used as an
antidote in heavy metal poisoning. Personal care products such as mud packs, baby
powder, sunburn paint, and face creams may contain bentonite.
How to take the bentonite
The best way to drink bentonite is on
an empty stomach, or at least 1 hour
before or after meals. Bentonite
typically is available as a thick tasteless
grey gel, but it also comes
encapsulated, as well as in powder
form.
It is generally advisable to start with 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay daily, mixed with a
small amount of juice. Pay attention to the results for a week, then gradually increase
the dosage to no more than 4 tablespoons daily, in divided doses.
In my opinion, the best price for high quality bentonite can be found here.
Drinking bentonite clay should be part of your regular colon cleansing regimen. You will
benefit from greater assimilation because of the bentonite clay's action as an intestinal
cleanser and gastrointestinal regulator. As your body "cleans house", it is in a better
position to more efficiently assimilate the nutrients it needs, whether those nutrients
come from your healing diet, vegetable juicing or cod liver oil and any other
supplements.
References
(1) Weston A. Price, "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration", pages 266-267
(2) Canadian Journal of Microbiology (31 [1985], pages 50-53)
(3) Ran Knishinsky, "The Clay Cure" (Healing Arts Press, 1998)
Disclaimer: Throughout this website, statements are made pertaining to the properties
and/or functions of food and/or nutritional products. These statements have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and these materials and products are
not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
© 2005 Healing Daily
