In today’s world, many traditional remedies have been forgotten. While the health benefits of essential oils are well known, other ancient remedies are less well known and may seem strange. Bentonite clay is one of those less widely known but highly effective natural remedies.
Mother Nature provides natural remedies all around us. Animals instinctively eat dirt or clay to rid their bodies of toxins or when they are sick or in distress. Taking a cue from nature, bentonite clay may be a good option for detoxification.
Bentonite (and other healing clays) have become increasingly popular over the past decade. Bentonite has many detoxifying benefits both internally and externally. Its healing properties make bentonite a worthy addition to your natural medicine chest.
What is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite clay is made from ancient volcanic ash. The name comes from the largest deposit of bentonite clay, located in Fort Benton, Wyoming. It is also called “montmorillonite clay” after the Montmorillon region of France where it was first discovered.
It is a greyish cream color, almost soft, has a very fine consistency and is odorless. Unlike other clays, it does not stain and can be easily used in beauty and naturopathic recipes.
Healing clays like bentonite contain high concentrations of minerals such as silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and potassium. They absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals and impurities, making bentonite an excellent natural remedy.
Where can you find bentonite clay?
70% of the world’s bentonite comes from Wyoming, but it is also produced in Montana, California, Arizona, and Colorado, and internationally in Italy, Germany, Greece, and Japan.
Is bentonite clay safe for humans?
Yes, bentonite is considered safe for human use. However, be sure to buy a reputable food-grade brand, especially if you are taking it internally. Some supplement brands contain heavy metals and are banned by the FDA. I like this one brand.
Benefits of Bentonite Clay
The benefits of bentonite are numerous. It offers incredible health benefits from digestive issues to detoxification to skin irritation. It also brings many benefits to your wellness routine. It’s the perfect tool to incorporate into your skin care recipe, from cleansing the skin to fighting breakouts.
Benefits of bentonite include:
- Relief of digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, constipation, bloating, and gas.
- Relief of skin and allergy problems such as breakouts and dermatitis
- Provides minerals to the body
- Recovering from vomiting and diarrhea
- Detoxification
- Oral Health Support
In his book Nutrition and physical declineDr. Weston A. Price reports that some Native American cultures ate clay regularly. They often carried balls of dried clay in bags. When eating, they would dissolve a small amount of clay in water to prevent poisoning from toxins.
Bentonite Clay for Detox
Bentonite clay is unique in that it develops an “electrical charge” when it becomes moist. When it becomes wet, its electrical composition changes, producing a negative charge that bonds with the positive charges of many toxins.
When clay comes into contact with toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals, it absorbs the toxins and releases minerals that can be used by the body. Bentonite helps deliver oxygen to cells by attracting excess hydrogen so that cells can exchange it for oxygen instead.
Bentonite clay binds with toxins and flushes them out, making it ideal for natural detoxification.
What toxins does bentonite clay remove?
Bentonite is able to bind toxins and remove them from the body, thus removing heavy metals. This includes metals such as lead, copper, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. It also: T-2 Toxicosis (toxic mycotoxins) Aflatoxins (Carcinogenic Chemicals) Toxic pesticidesand Toxins in Food. This article We summarize the research that has been done on bentonite’s many detoxifying abilities.
Additionally, it helps remove toxins such as MRSA and other bacteria. A study from Arizona State University found that bentonite clay Highly effective at killing MRSASalmonella, E. coli, etc. The hope is that because of how clay kills infections, MRSA and other bacteria may not develop resistance to clay as they do with antibiotics.
Bentonite Clay Uses
Bentonite is a staple in my natural medicine chest. I have used it internally and externally for a variety of problems in myself and my children. It’s inexpensive and can be used in a variety of home remedies.
Its detoxifying properties make it a popular ingredient in detoxifying and cleansing products. When used internally, it has an alkalizing effect on the body and helps balance gut bacteria.
Skin and Allergy Uses
Bentonite is highly absorbent and can remove toxins, making it perfect for treating skin problems. It can be used on insect bites, cuts, itches, burns, blemishes, etc. I mix bentonite with water to make a paste, leave it to dry, then wash it off. It helps relieve itching, especially from eczema, psoriasis, and chickenpox. For those with acne, it helps control excess sebum and clear skin.
For more severe skin problems, make a poultice. Apply a thick layer of clay to the skin and then place a damp gauze or cloth on top. Keep the area wrapped and change the bandage every 2 hours. I’ve also used poultices for allergic reactions to poison ivy.
When switching to a natural deodorant, an underarm detox is a great idea, and you can read more about why here. I use a mixture of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar for this detox, and I also used it for my hair detox.
If your baby has a diaper rash, you can make a baby powder with bentonite clay to soothe the pain. You can also make a clay “mask” to help the diaper rash heal faster.
When I had mastitis, I would make a compress or mask out of bentonite clay and water and apply it to the affected skin, repeating every hour as needed until the infection went away, and also taking it orally for the duration of the infection.
Beauty and Skincare Applications
Bentonite is a clay that is often used in DIY beauty and skin care products. Its ability to bind with and remove impurities makes it a great ingredient in cleansers, face masks, mud masks, soaps and detox baths. It also helps remove dead skin cells, clear clogged pores and deep clean pores.
For smooth, healthy skin, I make a bentonite clay mask by mixing a paste of bentonite with water. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it off with warm water. I do this once or twice a week. You can also mix bentonite clay powder with apple cider vinegar to make a great balancing face mask.
For cleansing, I add clay to my homemade soap to give it a silky feel. I also make this facial soap. Bentonite clay soap is great for oily skin and acne.
When I take a detox bath, I often add 1/4 cup of bentonite clay to the water, which creates a relaxing bath that softens the skin. When I don’t have time for a bath, I take a detox foot bath instead.
Use in oral hygiene
I use bentonite clay in my remineralizing toothpaste recipe because of its great ability to bind with heavy metals and toxins and deliver minerals, and it can also be used on its own to brush your teeth. It is tasteless and relatively textureless.
Don’t have time to make it yourself? This clay-based toothpaste I eat these when I travel – my kids love the taste and it’s nice to be able to maintain good oral care habits when I’m away from home.
You can also mix bentonite with water to use as an alkalizing, detoxifying mouthwash: Put 1/2 teaspoon of clay into a small jar with a plastic lid and shake well with 1/4 cup of water. Then gargle with water for 1-2 minutes, repeating until the mixture is used up.
Internal Use
Bentonite is effective for digestive issues like IBS symptoms, nausea, constipation, and acid reflux. Early in my pregnancy, I took about half a teaspoon of bentonite clay dissolved in water to help with morning sickness symptoms. I felt better. My midwife gave me the OK, but check with your healthcare provider before using it during pregnancy.
I drink 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in a glass of water almost daily for internal cleansing. It helps flush toxins from the body. I feel my digestion improve and I have more energy. I have also noticed my nails and hair grow faster. Any clay you ingest internally should be labeled as safe for internal use. This is the one we use:
Although I haven’t personally tried it, I have read that bentonite and other healing clays are used internally to reduce radiation exposure, as an alternative cancer treatment, and to treat MRSA infections. They are also said to be effective for treating parasites, but I have not tried this either.
If your pet is vomiting or showing signs of illness, give them bentonite. Add it to their water or mix it with water and give it orally with a dropper. I have seen several cases where this has helped speed up recovery in otherwise seriously ill pets.
Bentonite Clay Precautions
As with any natural remedy, there are some precautions to follow when using bentonite clay.
Metal will reduce its effectiveness, so avoid contact with metal, such as the bowl or utensil you’re mixing it in. I shake it in a glass jar with a plastic lid or mix it using a plastic whisk.
If taken orally, do not take within 1 hour of a meal for best results, and do not take within 2 hours of taking medications or supplements, as this may decrease their effectiveness.
Bentonite and lead
As mentioned above, bentonite should be purchased from a reputable quality source, as it may contain lead. Bentonite is a naturally occurring substance from the earth, and like anything that comes from the earth (including vegetables), it contains a variety of trace elements. You can read more about my thoughts on this here.
Although bentonite does contain trace amounts of lead that are not absorbed, you should make sure to buy a brand that is not high in lead. Several brands have been banned by the FDA for this reason. For example: 2016 FDA investigation Consumers were warned not to purchase the brand “Best Bentonite Clay” made by Guthrie, Oklahoma, because it contained high levels of lead.
Of course, I always recommend doing your own research, especially on a controversial topic like lead exposure. Based on my findings, I have no qualms about using this for my family both externally and internally. However, if you have any medical conditions, be sure to consult with your doctor before using.
Final thoughts on bentonite clay
The benefits of this healing clay are many and amazing. From skin care to digestive issues to detoxing, there are countless ways this clay can help. Plus, it’s affordable, so we highly recommend adding this ancient natural remedy to your wellness routine and natural medicine chest.
This article has been medically reviewed Dr. Marisa SnyderFunctional Specialist. As always, this is not personal medical advice, so we recommend consulting with your doctor.
Have you ever used bentonite clay or any other healing clay? What did you use it for? Did it work for you? Share with us below!
