General Uses of Healing Clays

Bentonite & Healing Clays as Used in Alternative and Natural Medicine

Oasis in the desert - Eytons' Earth A cloudy heaven is not a bruised sky
Tears, forsaken and cast into notness
Leave the heart adrift.
Life is born to die but not born dead!
And Death IS the ultimate forgiver of life.
Spirit oh Fountain Of Youth!
Mind, thee our philosopher's stone of old!

For the sky rains thoughts and the Earth my body drinks
While lightning pounds my soul: The ground
Aye illness is the thunderous sound
Yet by Lord and by way
Thy cure is always written into play...
Oh Death, where is thy sting?

Featured: Did You Know...?

"Clay is the most versatile, profoundly effective, cheap, mysterious, underrated, covered-up health treatment available.

"I know this because I am a natural health professional who uses clay personally and professionally for healing and health maintenance. I research and read everything I can find on the therapeutic use of clay. I have seen clay perform "miracles." I get very excited about mud. And in case you think I got my diploma out of a Cracker Jack�s box, rest assured; I have a bonafide Masters Degree..."

"...Bentonite attracts and neutralizes poisons in the intestinal tract. It can eliminate food allergies, food poisoning, mucus colitis, spastic colitis, viral infections, stomach flu, and parasites (parasites are unable to reproduce in the presence of clay). There is virtually no digestive disease that clay will not treat. It enriches and balances blood. It adsorbs radiation (think cell phones, microwaves, x-rays, TVs and irradiated food, for starters). It has been used for alcoholism, arthritis, cataracts, diabetic neuropathy, pain treatment, open wounds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, animal and poisonous insect bites, acne, anemia, in fact, the list of uses is too long for this article. It was used during the Balkan war of 1910 to reduce mortality from cholera among the soldiers from sixty to three percent."

- Julie Crist, M. Ac., jc@acupla.net
Julie Crist

Read more about bentonite clay minerals in our section dedicated to bentonite articles.

External Uses of Healing Clay

Topical Clay Treatments: Clay Packs, Compresses and Masks

Bone and Muscle Damage due to Traumatic Injury	Clay pack applied immediately after injury, applied 1/2 - 1 inch thick and covered, changed as needed (1/2 - 12 hrs.), duration to maximum tolerance.

Carpal Tunnel Sydrome Tendonitis	Clay pack wrapped around entire area if possible, 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick, covered, for 20 minutes to an hour initially, increased to overnight applications as tolerance permits, for three days to three weeks.

Treatment of Internal Organs	Clay compress (dressing saturated with hydrated clay) applied to cover the organ for 20 minutes per application to start, tolerance carefully monitored, extended to 1 hour applications as tolerable, progress to clay pack and 20 minute treatments, then to one hour as tolerance permits-- as needed with internal cleansing support.

Chronic Headaches	Clay pack applied to the nape of the neck for twenty minutes, then applied to the forehead for twenty minutes (continue to alternate as needed)

Skin Conditions (acne, eczema, rashes, more...)	Depending on the condition, clay compresses or clay packs can be used (any cystic condition requires dense packs applied for an extended amount of time).

Rapid healing of injuries (bruises, sprains, burns, etc.)	Thick clay packs applied to sprangs, bruises, breaks, ect. Thin clay strips, covered, or compresses applied to burns. For any injury that includes a break in the skin, never allow the clay to dry. Simply change out the dressing as needed.

Severe Bacterial Infections	Wound cleaned thoroughly with liquid bentonite, clay packs applied at least 1/2 inch thick, dressings changed as often as required due to drainage, never allow clay to dry on damaged tissues.

Skin rejuvenation and deep cleansing	One to twelve cups of bentonite added to a hot bath; hydrated bentonite used as a normal soap; clay masks applied to the skin; clay formulations used in a massage treatment.

Radiation	Clay must be used internally and immediately. Clay baths repeated to tolerance with as much hydrated clay as the individual can tolerate ( based on their stamina ) for 20 minutes to one hour. Compresses or thick clay wraps, alternating treatment to key locations of the body (targeting the lymphatic system and primary organs, treatments based on tolerance).
Skin graft donor sites (special treatment only)	See the page on an experimental skin graft donor site treatment.

Eye strain	Thick clay packs applied to both closed eyes, covered and left on from between 20 to 90 minutes.

Cancer / Tumors / Skin Cancer	Clay packs applied directly to the effected area, first for 20 minutes, and then repeated to tolerance.
Gall stones (special treatment recommended)	Reference Earth Cures by Raymond Dextreit.

It is highly recommended that all external treatments with healing clays be combined with a gentle internal cleansing program designed to support the body's elimination system and liver function.

Example of a clay pack after application to a wound for several hours Notice the different moisture levels through the clay, and the minute concentric circles visible on the clay surface. Although this wound was non-bleeding and fully debrided before treatment, it is obvious that the incredible sorptive properties of the clay evacuated a great deal of organic matter from the wound. This results in several things: The reduction of edema, the support of the immune/lymphatic system, and overall support for the healing process.

Surprising things can happen during such treatments. This particular treatment, since it was over the lower intenstines, resulted in the elimination of a bowel obstruction or possibly even a cancerous growth.

Internal uses of Healing Clays

Bentonite Used Orally

Using an uncontamined green healing clay interally can be advantageous for general health. Traditionally, only small amounts of hydrated clay are required to achieve the following benefits:

Detoxification of the digestive system (the sorptive action of clay pulls contaminants from the body)

Bacterial, organic and non-organic toxicity

Elimination of internal parasites ( digestive tracts )
Immune System Support ( clay used internally stimulates the body's elimination system and supports organ function )

Fixes free oxygen in the blood stream ( occurs once the liver has been restored to full function )
Increases T-cell count
Fights free radicals

Mercury poisoning!
Trace mineral supplement
( for humans, plants and animals )
Liver Detoxification
Stomach Aches and bacterial food poisoning
Alkalizing agent in the body

Featured: Did You Know...?

Clay baths may be more amazing than you might think. Discover the art of clay baths for profound relaxation, detoxification, skin cleansing, and general wellness.

Using Healing Clay Internally
Drinking Bentonite, Illite, Montmorillonite | Terramin & Argiletz

Using Healing Clay Externally
Poultices, Compresses & Healing Clay

New Healing Clay Treatments
New Examples of Healing Clay Theory Applied

Introduction to Healing Clay
Pelotherapy and Healing Clays of the World