Clay has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, in many different human cultures and seen in multiple animal species. It is used both externally, for skin conditions, as well as internally for various reasons. Analysis of the clays being used by both humans and animals show that bentonite clays are preferred for ingestion. Research on bentonite clay has shown that the benefits of its consumption includes nutrition, detoxification, and use as an antimicrobial and anti-parasitic agent.
Bentonite is a generic term for rocks derived from ‘altered volcanic ash beds.’ Bentonite deposits are found worldwide wherever volcanic eruptions have occurred. 35% of all bentonite clay is produced in the western United States (primarily Wyoming).
Natural clay samples have been shown to contain a variety of minerals and organic compounds. Some human cultures ingest it for calcium, while gorillas have been known to consume it for iron. The amount of any particular trace mineral in a clay depends largely upon the location it was derived from.
Research has found that clay is negatively charged and will adsorb positively-charged substances to their surface area. Positively charged substances are usually toxins or free radicals that damage cells and accelerate the aging process. This includes bacteria, fungi, parasites, chemicals, toxins, and viruses. The clay attracts these things like a magnet, and binds to them. Because bentonite clay is not absorbed by the body, it is excreted through the stool or skin, taking the positively charged free radicals with it, removing them from the body.
Common Uses for Bentonite Clay
Mud Baths – Used at health spas for detoxing through the skin.
Foot Baths – Used at health spas for detoxing through the feet.
Skin Conditions – Used as a paste for insect stings/bites, burns, eczema, acne and rashes.
Toothpaste – To whiten and re-mineralize teeth
Parasite Cleanse – Worms in the body will typically eat what is in the digestive tract. They also eat dirt and clay, so they are attracted to this substance. Because they are attracted to this food source, they will be carried out in the excrement of the host.
Candida Cleanse – There have been a few studies to show that Bentonite Clay treats yeast very effectively, by immobilizing it through adsorption and carrying it out of the system.
Chelation – Studies have shown a considerable capacity for heavy metal sorption, including lead, cadmium, zinc and mercury, through either epidermal application or oral ingestion.
Types of Bentonite Clay
Sodium Bentonite – Sodium Bentonite is primarily recommended for external use only due to being a “swelling” type clay, though there are conflicting opinions on this. It can be used in the bath tub. It has a similar consistency to a mud bath, containing more clumping of clay.
Calcium Bentonite – Calcium Bentonite clay can be ingested safely. It has a larger surface area than Sodium Bentonite clay, thus more effective. It has a consistency of a milk bath. It has a mild, creamy taste, with a bit of an aftertaste.
How to use it
Medications should be taken away from clay by 2-3 hours.
Food should be taken 1 hour away from clay.
Do not let clay come in to contact with anything metal. This will reduce its effectiveness.
For Baths: Use natural “CALCIUM” bentonite clay, sprinkled in the tub. Bath should only last 20 minutes. It can be safely drained as long as you don’t have a septic system. If handled properly, it drains away with no problems, leaving a small amount of very fine sediment at the bottom of bathtub.
How to mix living clay for a bentonite clay bath video
Taken Orally – Use natural “CALCIUM” bentonite clay.
Add clay powder to water, in a glass or food-grade plastic bottle with a non-metal lid, at a ratio of 1 part clay to 8 parts water. From this quantity take your recommended oral dosage. Shake vigorously until all lumps are gone.
Allow the mixture to stand 5 minutes with lid slightly loosened to vent and allow for expansion, re-tighten the lid, and shake again. You will notice the heavier particles will gradually settle to the bottom of the container. It is ready to drink.
Suggested dosing:
For a 16 ounce container add ¼ cup of Detox Powder clay to 16 oz of water.
For a 32 ounce container add ½ cup of Detox Powder clay to 32 oz of water.
***Liquid Clay does not need to be refrigerated and will keep for many months.***
Side Effects
Dry Skin from bath administration
Die off (herx/detox reaction)- Fatigue, aggression, anger, defiance, loose/colored stools, frequent urination, cold symptoms, headache, rash. These symptoms should only last a few days. If needed, reduce the amount of clay being used.
Some individuals experience constipation. This is typically caused by the clay pulling old fecal matter out of the lower colon. The other cause is suspected to be from an unbalanced digestive system.
Where/How to Purchase
Living Clay Company – Has the purest form of Calcium Bentonite clay. The company provides information booklets, CD disc & samples. If you plan on doing baths, the 2 gallon container is going to last longer. If you plan just utilizing in an oral dose, then purchase the 1 gallon container.
Redmond Trading Company – Typically has a mix of calcium bentonite and sodium bentonite clay.
Even Better Now – Provides instructions based on age/weight. Typically has a mix of calcium bentonite and sodium bentonite clay.
Vitacost – pre-mixed liquid bentonite.
Bentonite Clay and Autism
A leading national Calcium Bentonite Clay company has been working with two Autism Clinics. Through the use of calcium bentonite clay Autistic symptoms among children being treated through these clinics has dropped substantially. Dr. Miriam Jang, M.D., author of “Breakthroughs in Autism,” says:
“I have put a huge number of patients on these clay baths and the levels of heavy metals – mercury, lead, arsenic, aluminum, and cadmium have come down dramatically… I have been monitoring the levels of metals using all three methods TD DMPS (transdermal dimercapto-propane sulphonate), Oral DMSA (dimercapto-propane sulphonate) and clay baths) and the clay baths are way faster in the removal of metals…One particular patient had very high levels of mercury and levels of lead that were off the charts. In 3 months of twice weekly clay baths, the lead came down dramatically and the mercury disappeared. The muscle weakness associated with high lead levels improved dramatically. Interestingly enough, another 5 months of these clay baths showed even lower levels of lead but the mercury reappeared. This supports the theory that mercury is sequestered in different areas of our body and it takes time to get it all out.” Jang, Dr. Miriam. Article, Breakthroughs In Autism 2009.
Suggested dosing for Autism per Dr. Miriam Jang
Morning: Drink 2-3oz of liquid Bentonite Clay
Evening: Drink 2-3oz of liquid Bentonite Clay
3 times weekly: Take a clay bath in hot water for 20 minutes.
After 3 weeks: Reduce drink to 1oz in the morning and 1oz in the evening.
Videos
Benefits of Using Calcium Bentonite Clay
Books
How To Kick Start Your Day with Living Clay
Sources
**I must add that bentonite clay is one of many healing clays. If you’re interested in additional information on different types of clay, please read here.
The River to Recovery 
What do you mean sodium bentonite clay cannot be ingested ? I have already eaten 5 pounds of it over a 3 month period of time. You mix 1 Tbs with a large glass of warm water (let it sit for a couple hours) mix it with a plastic spoon, drink and take 1 Tbs of psylium in juice right after. It works much better that calcium clay because of the way it absorbs, it’s magnetic that’s why you stir with a plastic spoon. It’s the opposite polarity of your body. Your other information here was useful to readers though.
Have you ever tried the Unique Healing program by Donna Pessin? She has good results with autism, food allergies, toxicity, etc by consuming large amounts of clay and rebuilding the probiotics in the bowel- probably stuff you’ve already done but in much, much higher doses. It might be worth looking into.
Hi,
Can you please tell me if the clay can be given only during bath instead of orally? Will that help?