The Benefits of Healing Clays

Wellness Mama 82 Comments

Though they have been largely forgotten in recent times, healing clays have been used by cultures throughout history for their nutrients and to help rid the body of toxins. Many animals will also turn to eating dirt and clay to help remove poisons from their systems or during times of illness or distress.

In recent times, healing clays like Bentonite Clay have once again been gaining popularity for internal and external detoxification, and with good reason.

What is Bentonite Clay?

According to Mountain Rose Herbs:

“Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays. Bentonite can be used externally as a clay poultice, mud pack or in the bath and, in skin care recipes. A good quality Bentonite should be a grey/cream color and anything bordering “pure white” is suspect. It has a very fine, velveteen feel and is odorless and non-staining. The type of bentonite offered by Mountain Rose herbs is a Sodium Bentonite.”

Bentonite Clay is composed of aged volcanic ash. The name comes from the largest known deposit of Bentonite Clay located in Fort Benton, Wyoming.

What Does it do?

Bentonite Clay is a unique clay due to its ability to produce an “electrical charge” when hydrated. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy meats, impurities and chemicals.

As Mountain Rose Herbs explains:

“Bentonite is a swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound.”

Bentonite clay carries a strong negative charge which bonds to the positive charge in many toxins. When it comes in contact with a toxin, chemical or heavy metal, the clay will absorb the toxin and release it’s minerals for the body to use. Bentonite also helps get oxygen to cells as it pulls excess hydrogen and allows the cells to replace it with oxygen instead.

Bentonite clay is a common ingredient in detox and cleansing products. It has an alkalizing effect on the body and when taken correctly, it can help balance gut bacteria.

Personally, I’ve seen people benefit from taking Bentonite Clay to help with:

Digestive disturbances like acid reflux, constipation, bloating, gas, etc (Kaolin clay was common ingredient in medicines like Maalox and Rolaids for years)
Helping with skin and allergy issues
To help provide minerals for the body
To help speed recovery from vomiting and diarrhea
Detoxification
In oral health preperations
Externally for all types of skin problems and to speed healing

Healing clays like Bentonite have a high concentration of minerals including silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and potassium.

Even Dr. Weston A Price, in his book “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration” reported that several native cultures including those in the Andes, Central Africa and Australia consumed clays in various ways, most often my carrying balls of dried clay in their bags and dissolving a small amount of the clay in water with meals to prevent poisoning from any toxins present.

In a study from Arizona State University, bentonite clay was found to be highly effective at killing MRSA as well as Salmonella, E.Coli and others.What is promising as research continues in this area is that depending on the method in which the clay kills the infection, it may not be possible for the MRSA or other bacteria to develop a resistance to it as it does with antibiotics.

How to use Bentonite Clay:

Bentonite (and other clays) are staples in my homemade herbal cabinet and medicine chest. I’ve used them internally and externally for various issues on myself, my husband my kids. I order from here and it is an inexpensive natural remedy.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Do not let healing clays like Bentonite come in to contact with anything metal, is this will reduce the effectiveness. I mix with water in a glass jar with a plastic lid by shaking well or using a plastic whisk. If you take it internally, do not take within an hour of food for best results and do not take within 2 hours of medications or supplements as it might reduce their effectiveness. Check with your doctor before using if you have any medical condition.

On the Skin: Externally, I apply a paste of bentonite clay and water on any skin irritation like blemishes, insect bites, cuts, skin itching or burns. I leave it on until it dries and wash off. This is said to be especially calming to skin itching from eczema, psoriasis, chicken pox, etc.
Skin Poultice for Bites/Burns/Cuts/Stings: For more severe issues, I create a poultice by putting a thick layer of clay on the skin and applying a wet gauze or cloth over it. I wrap the area and leave the poultice on, changing every 2 hours.
Face Mask: For smooth and healthy skin, I make a paste of bentonite and water and apply to my face as a mask (a similar mask is used in many spas). I leave on for 20 minutes and wash off. I typically do this once or twice a week.
Detox Bath: I sometimes add about 1/4 cup of Bentonite Clay to a bath for a relaxing detox bath that softens skin.
For Oral Health: Because of it’s excellent ability to bind to heavy metals and toxins as well as to provide minerals, I use Bentonite Clay in my Remineralizing Tooth Powder Recipe. It can even be used alone for brushing and is tasteless and relatively textureless.
Oral Rinse to whiten and remineralize teeth: Besides use the the tooth powder, I use Bentonite mixed with water as an alkalizing and toxin removing mouth rinse. I mix 1/2 teaspoon of clay in 1/4 cup water in a small jar with a plastic lid and shake well. Then, I rinse with the water for 1-2 minutes and repeat until I’ve used it all.
For Mastitis: I’ve created a poultice or mask of Bentonite Clay and water and applied externally to the area. I repeat as needed every hour until the infection is gone. I also take internally during infection along with Vitamin C and fermented cod liver oil.
For Baby Powder: Plain Bentonite Clay makes a very soothing baby powder for use when there is infection or redness. It can also be made into a clay “mask” to help speed recovery in this area.
For Morning Sickness: I took 1/2 tsp of Bentonite Clay in water during early pregnancy to ward off morning sickness. It helped with the nausea and helped me feel better. I checked with my doc/midwife first and was told this was fine. Check with your doctor or medical professional before using during pregnancy.
For Internal Cleansing: I drink 1/2 to 1 teaspoon most days in a cup of water. I combine in a glass jar with a plastic lid and shake until well incorporated. This has helped improve my digestion and also seems to give me more energy. Since adding this and getting gelatin in my diet or through Gelatin powder daily I also notice that my nails and hair grow more quickly.
For Pets: For pets that are sick, vomiting or showing signs of illness, you can add Bentonite to their water or mix and give orally with a dropper or syringe without the needle. I have seen several cases where this helped pets recover quickly from what could otherwise have been serious illnesses.
Though I have not needed to use for these reasons personally, I have read cases of Bentonite and other healing clays being used internally to help reduce radiation exposure, in alternative cancer treatments and in MRSA infections. It is also said to greatly help in Parasite removal, though I have not tried this personally.

Have you ever used Bentonite Clay or other healing clays? What did you use it for? Did it work? Share below!

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Filed Under: Natural Living

About Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama is a full-time housewife with a background in nutrition, journalism and communications. Her passion is helping others achieve optimal health through a “Wellness Lifestyle.” She has helped hundreds of clients lose weight, increase athletic performance, improve fertility, and overcome numerous health problems and diseases. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, & Pinterest.

Disclaimer: Many of the links on my site, especially those from Amazon, Mountain Rose Herbs, Tropical Traditions and OraWellness are affiliate links. Should you click on these links and decide to purchase anything, I will receive a small commission and you will have my sincere thanks for supporting Wellness Mama!

DISCLAIMER: The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Karla

I had bedbugs a few years ago, and those bites were definitely the itchiest bug bites I’ve ever had. I used a bentonite clay paste on them and the itching stopped immediately and the welts were gone within a couple of days.
Cecilia Powers

i love bentonite clay. i use the pascalite clay from Wyoming. I have their soap and have used it for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. i had burned my hand and put it on there, without knowing if it would help or not and it did!
Lizzie

Any tips on using it for acid reflux? or articles where I can read? Thanks
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

The standard I’ve seen is 1/2 teaspoon per day or more in water, preferably in the morning before eating. You can also drink it again when you have symptoms. It supposedly works on contact but also cumulatively in actually healing the problem.
Amanda

My hesitation when it comes to buying clays is the high aluminum content in them. What are your thoughts on that?
Mary L.

My husband was bit by a Bark Scorpion ~ the only truly poisonous scorpion in America ~. It was late at night (he was taking out the garbage cans- barefoot). I went to the health food store the next day and got some Bentonite Clay . He mixed it with Apple Cider Vinegar (it mixes much more smoothly than water) and made poultices. It brought down the swelling really well. (The Dr. couldn’t give him anything.) He continued using it for at least a week and made a good recovery. I use it with the apple cider vinegar for a ‘facial’ ~ works wonderfully.
Mary L.

We also use for any bug/ant bites- works quickly!
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

I researched this a lot too when we first started using it. The consensus seems to be that the aluminum is bound as part of the molecule and not in a form that can be released in the body…
Lizzie

Thank you:)!
Emily C.

I take mine internally with some psyllium husk in water. I am using it for detoxification reasons. I love it so far.

I also mix it with apple cider vinegar (Braggs) for use as a mask, I have noticed some huge changes in my skin since doing it. I have a few keloid scars, some are tiny and one is a little bigger, and my tiny ones have almost completely disappeared and I feel like it is having an effect on my biggest one, as well.
melanie

A few years ago I had really bad diabetic ulcers on each of my heals, they were huge and badly infected. I was away from my home so my medical card wasn’t any good in the state I was in and my father was to sick for me to leave. A very dear friend of the family had come to see my dad and he seen how bad my feet were so he came back the next day or two and brought me this clay to put on. Well my sister was cleaning my heals and wrapping them twice a day and he told her for me to swallow a little everyday and for her to keep cleaning my feet twice a day and putting the clay on them and wrap them in plastic wrap. So we did and oh my gosh they smelled so bad when we unwrapped them to clean and redo them. Our friend said it was pulling the poision from my body. Sadly my feet had been infected for most of several years I was in and the hospital all the time anywhere from 1-3 weeks at a time and I guess I had to much poision in my body from all that time and I had to have emergency surgrey on both feet to keep me from losing them. But I do know this if I ever get another foot infection the first thing I will do is get this clay because I know it does work.
Erin

Katie
I’m a recent convert to healing clay, we are using an Australian ‘french’ green clay. We are currently using it on our son’s acne, to not only draw out the toxins but hoping to heal scarring. early days yet but still we’re hoping. Son 3 recently jumped off a ladder onto a besa block tearing out a huge hunk of skin and flesh and bruising badly. After two days of clay his foot had healed! new skin and bruising gone!!!
Randa

While I’m happy to learn this info, I’m also kinda sad because we just bought several pounds of D.E., and I had been planning to take that internally daily (or as often as I remember). Now I feel like I should have held off and gotten this instead.
Did you already do a similar post on D.E.? Maybe I can feel better by reading that.
http://www.facebook.com/tiffany.k.santos Tiffany Kimball Santos

Does anyone have any suggestions for taking Bentonite clay internally? I’ve taken it a few times, once in water and once in applesauce, and could barely stomach it! How long are you mixing it for in the water? Would it be better to do a “shot” of it and then follow with a big glass of water? I think I’ll get gel caps in a few weeks, but for now I’ve got to find a way to get it down daily!
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

De is great too and they do different things but are both useful. You can actually take either one or both on alternating days…
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

Try leaving it in the water over night and just drinking the water on top, as the clay will have settled to the bottom. This helps the taste and texture a lot, and you’ll still get the benefits.
Rose

Thanks for this question and response. I was reading about DE the other day and was also a bit nervous about the alumina in it.
Sara

Do you think that Bentonite clay would also help with rosacea? Internally and externally?
Debbi

I have seen amazing results with clay for my son and puberty induced acne. His face went from pimples all over to clear in a matter of just a few weeks. We had him take it both internally and topically. We started with daily masks for the first week and then every-other-day, then once weekly. We were all pretty impressed with how well it worked. Now, trying to keep a teen age boy consistent with using it over the long haul is a whole different challenge.
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

It should help with both.
Laura

I didnt know clay could be used in so many ways. I love our clay for baby use…especially with all the drool and hot weather! At the beginning of summer i made up a “bug bite paste” with ACV and kept it in the fridge. The relief was almost instant when applied to a mosiquito or a bee sting. Like someone said before, i use it as a mask too.
Kathy

It has recently been found that Rosacia is caused by high acid levels in your blood. So anything that brings that down will help, and I am sure that Bentonite will help.
Cyndye

“Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy meats, impurities and chemicals.” Should that have been “heavy metals”?
Gina L

I have taken it internally as a cleanse. The recipe was 1 Tbsp. of Nature’s 3 fiber, 1 tsp. hydrated bentonite clay, 2 capsules of Cascara Sagrada, 2 tbsp. of liquid chlorophyll and 4 oz. organic apple juice. You drink this twice a day for 90 days to rid the body of toxins. I had great success with it, maybe too much, I couldn’t go past 30 days as the cleansing effect was pretty intense. I ended up having to reduce the cleanse to once a day and then stop altogether because of the intense cleansing action. It did manage to get rid of a quarter sized raised red rash on my skin that the dermatologist told me was permanent. The red rash was a result of a mosquito bite. I did speak to the author of the recipe and being I am an A+ blood type she recommended me to change the recipe by doing 1 Tbsp. of slippery elm in 2 Tbsp. of aloe vera juice, 2 tbsp. pure apple juice and no cascara sagrada along with the other ingredients. I have not tried them yet.
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

Yes, thanks for the catch!
http://wholenewmom.com/ Adrienne @ Whole New Mom

I am very interested in this – I used to take this for candida issues but a practitioner told me that she thinks it leads to Aluminum poisoning. Do you have any info on this? I looked around the web and can’t find anything conclusive. I have bad Al toxicity and was wondering about this but I of course may have other sources as well. Thanks!!
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

I researched this a lot and everything conclusive I found said that the aluminum was in a form that is not released in the body because of how it is bound in the clay…
http://twitter.com/WildlyNatural Michelle Czolba

I use it to wash hair- both my son and mine. It leaves the hair soft and decreases the over-oiliness. It also helps with the scalp crusties! Usually for that I will do an oil treatment first with coconut, castor and jojoba oils and then wash with the clay. We use kaolin, rhassoul, and French green clays the most.
lferrett

I don’t like ‘drinking’ BC. What I do is make a thick paste and then form it into balls, small enough to swallow like pills. I’ve never let the balls, or now, ‘capsules’, dry, and I guess that could be done. I do use it in my tooth cleaner mixture along with baking soda and Diatomaeceous (sp?) Earth. My son had a very badly infected Pilonidal Cyst that needed an operation. But the Surgeon would not operate until it was fully clear of infection. After soaking in a bathtub for two weeks with bentonite clay in the water, his cyst was ready for surgery. It’s good stuff! I went to a garage sale about a month ago and found about a pound of BC in a container with a $1 price tag on it. I grabbed it! I don’t think the seller had any idea what it was.
Hey Sis

I use bc with ground flax seed and ground psyllium powder in equal parts and add 2Tbsp to some juice in the am to detox also wit h2o as a face mask and as a conditioner for my hair. I wash my hair with baking soda and h2o, rinse with acv and h2o and apply a bc creamy past to hair and face, air dry and scare the children or sit under a bonnet dryer to save time. You can feel it working!!!! Hey cheap and healthy face mask for H’ween LOL
Hey Sis

never orange juice makes most flatuenty.
Hey Sis

You guys are sharp thank you for your tips!!!
stephanie

mountain rose herbs says the clay is for external use only, is that the same clay you take internally?
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

Yes, from my understanding, their certification just allows them to sell it for cosmetic use on certain products, though it is the same product one could get elsewhere for taking internally.
Jess

Can you take 1/2 tsp in water daily while you’re pregnant/nursing?
jess

Is this safe to take internally daily while pregnant/nursing?
debbie

Hi,

Quick question, you mention taking the clay internally but on the mountain rose website that you link to it says that the bentonite clay is only for external use. Is it OK for internal use?
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

I’ve taken it internally for a long time. When I talked to them, they explained that due to laws in some places where different products are sourced, they can only list some things as for external use…
MichelleLecours

Hi there! I was wondering if you have a trick to avoid the clay clumping? I shook it in water, but still has little clumps
Carmen

I’ve tried the liquid bentonite clay, but not the powder one, I did a cleanse but didnt see much effect from it, could it be because it was liquid? I have a stomach virus called H Pilori and that sucker is hard to get rid off! The doctor has given me antibiotics and other medicines but it only calms it for bit but after a while it comes back.. Could this work to remove this virus as well?
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http://twitter.com/SVincello Sharon Vincello

Thank you for posting this. I use bentonite clay on my face for blemishes and other skin irritations. My boyfriend buys empty capsules from the health store and will fill them with clay to be taken internally to cleanse the digestive system.
http://www.facebook.com/andrea.f.poole Andrea Farris Poole

I love Bentonite clay….it is so good for any skin ailment – bug bites, pimples, even poison oak. I wouldn’t want to be without it.
Trisha Sease

Two questions…
1. is this safe to take internally while nursing?
2. Does this interfere with good beneficial bacterial and flora in the gut? If not, how does it distinguish between good and bad bacteria?
Thanks!
Maria Powers

Noticed that you referred us to Mountain Rose Herbs to buy the clay, but on their website in the description of the clay, it says “For External Use Only.” I have emailed the company to ask why. I’ve been using calcium bentonite clay for a couple things and was interested in buying in bulk as we’re using it more and more. Their website also shows that what they stock is sodium bentonite clay. Anyone have any reliable resources regarding the difference between the two?
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oz

For how long can you take it internally ??
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NCJennifer

Great information. My company Arbonne International uses Bentonite Clay in our SeaSource Sea Mud Mask for face and body. It’s an excellent product. Now I know more about why. Think I’ll go apply some right now! Let me know if you want a free sample.
Deanna

Has anyone used it on kids after vaccines? And for what ages is it appropriate to use? Just wondering if it would help eliminate any of the aluminum or any bad reactions
Kathleen Barber

Natures Sunshine makes a Shaker that has a whisk-like ball in it…works almost like the little ball in nail polish would.Mixes clays beautifly!
http://www.facebook.com/danny.hermanns Danny Hermanns

Hello, Does it have the same power when you only drink the water on top?
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CleaK

I am having the hardest time doing anything with this clay besides making a mess. I can’t get a paste that isn’t clumpy. I tried making a mask but it wouldn’t smooth out well at all and I tried a bath as well and it also wouldn’t smooth enough to add anything other than spots on my tub. It sounds so benefitial but I’m kind of hating it right now. Any tips? Thanks!
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

For mask- get hand wet and dip it into the clay and rub on the face. Repeat until you get enough to cover your face in a mask. For the tub I always dissolve it in a little bit of water first and then add to the tub…
jamie

I put some clay on my hands for my eczema. I have done this twice now and each time they have gotten much worse. Is this normal for the rash to get worse before it gets better or have I maybe had a reaction to the clay?
Elizabeth

When my sons were going through that age I found that drinking kefir on a regular basis (make into a smoothie) did wonders as well as taking burdock (blood purifier) which I made into capsules.
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

It can if it is pulling toxins, but I’d maybe try in another area to see if you react…
Dena Barnes

i’m also curious about the nursing issue. I’d love to see a source that talks about if the body ends up detoxing any of this out via milk or not.
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Candice

The Mayo clinic suggests this (and it closely matches the published study from U of Cal done perhaps 20 years ago that showed Bismuth and Tetracycline to cure H. Pylori and ulcers.)

Bismuth Subsalicylate, Metronidazole, and Tetracycline (Oral Route)
http://www.facebook.com/ryanandjessicasikorski Jessica Sikorski

can you sprinkle some of the BC on diaper rashes?
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

Yep
http://www.facebook.com/rottinscabs Kimberlee Howell

shouldn’t you differenciate between calcium & sodium kinds of bentonite clay? I heard calcium is internal & sodium is external & it’s recommended to take psyllium husks for constipation & not with food or medications
MichelleLecours

Thank you!!
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Pattie

Will i be able to use it to get rid off candida? and if so how will i be able to use it and for how long. Also will i have to change my diet in order for it to work very well?
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Emily

I am amazed with bentonite clay. I bought some originally to make my own toothpaste and as I was researching it more I came across this site. My son is 6 months old and has had a couple of eczema patches on his head. They were raised, red, and very dry and he has had them for about 4 months. I tried all sorts of stuff including cutting out common food allergens and using coconut oil and hydrocortisone. I put some bentonite clay on them and after only 20 mins it was almost completely healed! I used it the next day and can barely see what used to be there. This is something I will always keep on hand.
lisa

Hi, how did you use it for acne?
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

As a face mask…
H.

Check out Manuka honey 16+. I had an antibiotic resistant bacteria (MRSA) and after 6 weeks of 3 different antibiotic creams and 3 different antibiotic pills, nothing worked. I had read about the healing properties of this honey so as a last resort I put some Manuka honey on it 24/7 with a gauze bandage. The very next day as I changed the dressing it was 50% better, and completely gone in 3 days. It stung a bit as the bacteria were dying off. They release a gas when they die is what I understand.
The articles that I read also state that this wonderful honey is good for all kinds of ailments including bed sores which are pretty bad. I won’t be without it now.
Take care and good luck !
Carla

Hi, love your site! Is there a reason why you use sodium bentonite over calcium bentonite internally? I initially read that the calcium would be safer because it doesn’t swell as much, and less likely to cause internal distress. I plan on using both…sodium bentonite for the bath, and calcium bentonite internally, but I’m curious about your perspective.
http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

I would be comfortable using either one, I just order everything from MRH so it is easier to order all together
Carla

These folks should know: http://www.clayforautism.com/ Please do comment on what you find out. I’m planning to do the same thing, but I’m not due until the fall.
Linds

You’ve posted here that you purchase your Bentonite clay from Mtn Rose Herbs, and on their website it states that their product is for internal use only, do you specifically use their clay to mix with water for consumption or is there a different product that you use for that purpose?
By the way, your post about mineral deficiencies relating to dental health was truly enlightening and I will be trying not only your toothpaste recipe, also the recommendations for diet change, thank you for the great information!
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The Benefits of Healing Clays

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