Before the world saw those large and unimaginable improvements in technology that led the to the development of readily available pharmaceuticals, natural remedies were our only option. All of these natural treatments were obviously derived from the earth in some capacity, of which many were often used to treat an abundance of different conditions.
Interestingly, while most of us think of herbal and plant-based remedies as our only real organic treatment options, there were many others that were also suggested to have a huge influence on health – one of which was a specific type of clay.
Known as Bentonite Clay, to be exact.
With this in mind, bentonite clay has made quite a large resurgence within the modern-day health industry, with many people believing that it may be even better than many of its pharmaceutical grade counterparts.
Quick Take: Our Recommendations For Bentonite Clay
What Is Bentonite Clay, And Where Does It Come From?
If you have never heard of Bentonite Clay before, you might be surprised to find that it was once one the most commonly used natural therapies in existence. Commonly referred to as either healing clay or living clay, bentonite clay has been used for centuries to treat skin disorders and unwanted infections, enhance the healing of wounds, defend against disease and illness, and even improve digestive health and function.
Moreover, bentonite clay was even regularly consumed as it was suggested to help remove poisons and chemicals from the body, while also enhancing general health and function.
Bentonite clay is quite unique as it is actually composed of volcanic ash, which explains why the largest known source of this living clay is found in fort Benton, Wyoming (a place that was one riddled with active volcanoes). With this in mind, we should also note that bentonite clay is also found across the globe, with the vast majority of the worlds clay production occurring in the US, France, and Italy.
In modern day, bentonite clay is very much used for the same purposes as it was thousands of years ago – where it is thought to improve skin health, help fight infection and disease, enhance digestion, and improve many other facets of health in the process.
Is Bentonite Clay The Same As Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay?
Now, before we dive headfirst into the details around Bentonite clay, we wanted to answer a couple of very common questions that come up when discussing this particular product.
For those of you who are familiar with the new wave of health boosting clays hitting the market, you might be aware of Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. It is important for us to distinguish that this is actually a specific brand of 100% pure bentonite clay.
So, in short, yes, they are exactly the same thing.
Are Bentonite Clay And Diatomaceous Earth The Same?
Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring health product made up from the fossilised remains thousands upon thousands of tiny aquatic microorganisms. This unique product is used in modern day to improve joint and ligament health, help fight off parasites found within the body, detoxify the body, while also protecting the health of your skin, nails, and teeth.
With all this in mind, Diatomaceous earth is very different in both nature and application from Bentonite Clay – and as a result, they cannot be used interchangeably.
How Does Bentonite Clay Work?
Each and every day we are exposed to thousands upon thousands of toxins and chemicals. These are found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. As a result, our contact with these compounds is completely and utterly unavoidable.
In a very similar fashion, over time our bodies also become exposed to various microorganisms, which include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Again, while this exposure is not ideal, it also can’t be avoided, as these microorganisms are often present in the water we drink and many of the foods we eat.
Now while the body has a system for removing both these toxins and chemicals and these microorganisms from our body (through the combined efforts of our liver, our immune system, and even our digestive system), some often slip through. Additionally, the removal of these compounds takes attention and effort, and can place quite a lot of stress on both the immune system and liver in their entirety, limiting their ability to perform their other functions effectively on a daily basis.
And this is where bentonite clay is suggested to have such a large impact on the body.
You see, this specific clay is said to draw out these toxins and organisms, making them less likely to infect and inhabit the body. When consumed, this essentially reduces the load placed on the body’s systems, meaning that they can function at a high level throughout the day. This subsequently causes a large improvement in health, while also reducing your risk of illness in a big way.
Additionally, when applied to a skin wound or infection, through this same mechanism, bentonite clay has been suggested to, improve skin health and function, enhance wound healing, and even reduce the risk of skin infection.
Finally, as an added bonus, bentonite clay is also full to the brim with key vitamins and minerals. As a result, when consumed, it can have a supplement like effect on the body, further enhancing health and function.
Can Bentonite Clay Be Used For Earthing Or Grounding?
Now, in conjunction with its suggested effects on health, bentonite clay is also used frequently as an earthing compound for cables. You see, bentonite clay is what is considered a sodium activated montmorillonite – which pretty much means when mixed with water, it absorbs the liquid component and swells to many times its initial volume.
This makes it absolutely perfect for earthing cables. You see, if the cable duct is filled with bentonite clay during installation, the ground conductivity increases. This assists in earthing the cable, increasing safety in a very big way.
What Are The Benefits Of Bentonite Clay?
As we have previously mentioned, bentonite clay is suggested to have a host of unique benefits throughout the entire body. With this in mind, we wanted to take an objective look at the research to determine where bentonite clay has its most positive effects, and where it may not.
Will Bentonite Clay Remineralize and Whiten Teeth?
There are two main hypothesised positives when it comes to using bentonite clay tooth pastes. Firstly, they are said to draw toxins from the mouth, reducing the impact that they can have on the teeth. Secondly, as bentonite clay is full to the brim with minerals that are integral to tooth health, it is thought to enhance the mineral density of the teeth.
Now the first thing that we need to state is that there is currently no scientific research to support either of these suggestions – but despite this, there are many people within the healthy industry who swear by its ability to remineralize and whiten the teeth, while also enhancing oral hygiene.
Will Bentonite Clay Get Rid of Parasites?
Bentonite clay has been used for centuries to assist in the removal of parasites from the digestive tract. Once consumed, the clay absorbs an abundance of water and proceeds to swell, creating a large mass of sticky moisture. As this mass passes through the digestive tract, it is thought to take any parasites and harmful bacteria with it, cleansing the system of those microorganisms and increasing health as a result.
Now again, while there is no scientific evidence to demonstrate that bentonite clay has this capacity, the fact that it has been used for thousands of years in this manner (and is currently supported by many within the health industry) does provide some anecdotal evidence to suggest that it works effectively.
Does Bentonite Clay Help with Weight Loss?
Now here is something that has a little more evidence to support its use.
As previously mentioned, when consumed, bentonite clay swells within the gut and gastrointestinal tract. This can make us feel fuller throughout the day, therefore causing a subsequent reduction in the amount of food we eat on a daily basis.
Through this interaction, the supplementation of bentonite clay has been suggested to enhance weight loss over time.
Does Bentonite Clay Kill Candida?
Candida is a type of yeast infection that is extremely common, where it typically affects the mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina.
Candida itself is a type of fungus that normally aids in nutrient absorption within the gut and gastrointestinal tract, but can at times begin to overproduce uncontrollably. When this occurs, it can actually start to break down the walls of the intestine and penetrate the bloodstream, leading to illness and digestive dysfunction.
Now although bentonite clay can help treat the nasty side effects associated with candida infection by removing any of the toxins and chemicals it produces, it does not have the capacity to heal or treat a candida infection.
Is Bentonite Clay Good Or Bad For Diabetes?
A key heavy metal that can at times be found within the body in trace amounts is Arsenic. Arsenic is an extremely toxic metal that is used to preserve wood, bronze metal, form glass, while also being used in rat poisons and certain pesticides.
If this compound appears within the body in too higher amount, it can become carcinogenic, promote the development of liver tumours, and also contribute to the onset of diabetes.
As a result, the supplementation of bentonite clay may actually reduce the risk of developing diabetes by drawing arsenic from the body and assisting in its complete and utter removal. With this in mind, it is unlikely to assist in the treatment of already established diabetes.
Will Bentonite Clay Help with Acne?
When it comes to skin disease, acne vulgaris is arguably one of the most common on the planet. Typified by red and swollen section of skin combined with itchy and irritated pimples, it is also one of the most uncomfortable.
With this in mind, acne is thought to be caused by a bacterial infection of the skin, combined with both excessive skin oil secretion and the over-accumulation of dead skin cells o the surface of the skin. Taking this into consideration, the application of bentonite clay to the skin has been shown to assist in the removal of dead skin cells, aid in the treatment of bacterial skin infections, while also cleansing the pores of excessive toxins, oils, and dirt.
As a result, bentonite clay appears to offer an acceptable treatment for acne vulgaris.
Will Bentonite Clay Help The Removal Of Blackheads?
Blackheads are small bumps that appear on the skin due to clogged hair follicles. These clogged hair follicles can fill with dirt and grime, creating what is essentially a very mild form of acne.
Taking this into consideration, while there is no clear research demonstrating that bentonite clay can have a positive effect on blackheads, due to its effect on both acne and skin health, its application is highly likely to have a positive impact.
Is Bentonite Clay Good For Detoxing Your Body?
When it comes to having a positive impact on the body, bentonite clay is most well-known for its suggested ability to assist in the removal of toxins and chemicals – something that many people within the health industry swear by.
Interestingly, while there is some lab-based research to suggest that bentonite clay does indeed have the ability to extract harmful toxins from its surrounding environment, there is no research demonstrating how this effect carries over to real live humans.
As a result, while early research does suggest that bentonite clay has the capacity to detoxify the body, we would like to see some solid human research performed before we can say this is the case with any real certainty.
Is Bentonite Clay Good For Your Skin? And Does It Help Treat Rashes Or Psoriasis?
As previously mentioned, the application of bentonite clay to the skin appears to have the ability to enhance skin health through the cleansing of skin cells and the removal of harmful bacteria from the skin. With this in mind, it has also been shown to aid in the treatment of rashes, by not only removing the irritant from the skin, but also enhancing the health of the skin at a cellular level.
Unfortunately, while this same application may assist to reduce the severity of the signs and symptoms of psoriasis, it will not act as treatment or cure for the disease.
Is Bentonite Clay Good For Your Hair?
Given that bentonite clay has the potential to removal damaging toxins and chemicals from the tissue it is applied to, it has been suggested that it can cause large improvement in hair health, while also promoting hair growth.
Does Bentonite Clay Help With Boils?
A boil is a localised skin infection that occurs within a single hair follicle or single oil gland. In its early stages, a boil may appear as small red lump that feels tender to touch. After 4-7 days, this lump can begin to turn white as pus collects under the skin, in which it also dramatically increases in size.
With this it is important to note that most boils are the result of a specific bacteria (known as staphylococcal bacteria) that enters the body through small nicks or cuts, from which it then travels down into the oil gland or hair follicle that it infects.
Positively, bentonite clay has been shown draw staphylococcal bacteria out of the environment, assisting its removal. If we combine this with its impact on skin health, and it is highly likely that it has the potential to assist in the treatment of boils.
Does Bentonite Clay Boost Immunity?
As bentonite clay has the ability to remove harmful microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract, and subsequently enhance digestive health, it also is also extremely likely to have an impact on immune system function.
You see, there appears to be a direct link between the state of the digestive system and the immune system. Within this, those individuals with healthy digestive systems that are full to the brim of good bacteria (and relatively free of bad gut bacteria) tend to have much more effective immune systems than those who exhibit the opposite.
Considering this, it is highly likely that the supplementation of bentonite clay will have a positive effect on immunity through its positive interactions with the digestive system and the gut.
Is Bentonite Clay A Flu Remedy?
While there is currently no evidence to support bentonite clays ability to treat the flu, through its interaction with the immune system there is reason to believe it may have the potential to prevent its onset.
Obviously, we would like to see some solid human research before we can recommend its use for this purpose, but the early signs are promising.
Does Bentonite Clay Help Thyroid Functioning?
There has been an abundance of early research performed in mice and rats demonstrating that bentonite clay can enhance the health of the thyroid gland, while simultaneously assisting in the regulation of the thyroid hormones.
While these exact mechanisms are unclear, the early signs are quite promising. As normal, further research is needed before we can suggest bentonite clay is used in this capacity, but it does appear likely to offer a potential means to enhance thyroid health.
Does Bentonite Clay Have Anti-Cancer Properties?
There has been some interesting lab-based research demonstrating that bentonite clay has the ability to stop the growth of specific cancer cells that are found within the body when someone develops cancer of the nervous system.
This research does suggest that bentonite clay may exhibit some anti-cancer properties, although more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in other types of cancer cells. It is also important to note that we currently have no idea as to how these effects carryover to humans.
As a result we cannot currently recommend it as an addition to traditional cancer treatments.
Best Bentonite Clay Product Reviews
Given that much of the research around the use of bentonite clay is quite positive, we wanted to give you some options that you can use immediately and effectively. Each of these products are excellent choices in their own right, in which they make up what we believe to be the best three bentonite clay products available on the market at the moment.
Aztec secret provide what is hands down the most popular bentonite product on the market, where it has well over 17,000 amazon reviews at the time of writing. With this in mind, they are so very popular for a reason – because their product is exceptional.
Delivering nothing but 100% pure high-quality bentonite clay, this options in completely free of additives, fragrances, preservatives, and any animal-based products. It truly is an excellent choice.
Molivera Organics are another company that have built an exceptional reputation on their consistent production of high-quality organic healthcare products – of which their bentonite clay is a fine example.
Again providing us nothing but 100% pure and organic bentonite clay, you really can’t go wrong with this great mid-priced option.
Wyoclay specialise in providing those health-conscious individuals within the community with high quality products at very competitive price points, which is something that becomes quite obvious after a quick look at their bentonite clay.
This 100% pure bentonite clay comes straight from Wyoming, where it is provided in a whopping 2-pound package. This ensures that you will have enough health boosting clay to last you a very long time. Even more importantly, this is also one of the most cost-effective options on the market, making it ideal for those shopping on a tight budget.
How To Use Bentonite Clay
We have alluded to how bentonite clay can be used in the above sections, but we still feel that this still requires some further clarification.
Topical Application of Bentonite Clay
In the case of general skincare application, a very simple approach is to fill a bath with hot water and mix in ¼ cup of pure bentonite clay. This clay will mx with the water, creating a slightly rough mixture that can be easily massaged into the skin. This provides a very simple and effective method of ensuring skin quality and health is maintained.
For those looking to treat acne and skin blemishes with bentonite clay, a slightly more targeted approach is recommended. In this scenario, try applying the clay directly to the face (ensuring you cover specific blemishes) to create a clay mask of sorts. Proceed to leave the mask on the skin for around 20 minutes, or until it is completely dry – after which you should rinse off with warm water.
It is important to note that this same method can be applied to irritated, infected, and inflamed section of skin as a method of treatment.
Ingestion of Bentonite Clay
Alternatively, for those of you who are looking for the positive effects of bentonite clay on both digestive and systemic health, a slightly different approach is needed. In this situation we recommend you fully dissolve half a teaspoon of bentonite clay with water, and then drink it immediately.
This can be performed oncer per day for as many days per week as you would like as a way to enhance health and function on a more global scale.
What Does Bentonite Clay Taste Like?
Despite what you may expect, bentonite clay doesn’t really have any flavour at all. With this in mind it is completely neutral, in which it doesn’t have any sweetness, sourness, or bitterness associated with its consumption.
Obviously, being clay, if it has not been dissolved properly it may provide a slightly gritty texture – although this can often be avoided by simply mixing it with more liquid to ensure that it is completely dissolved.
Can Bentonite Clay Go Bad/Expire?
While many products will provide an expiration date with their packaging, as bentonite clay is a completely mineral based compound, it doesn’t have the capacity to expire, so to speak. Over time it may become a little firmer, in which it may also clump together, but in both scenarios, we can assure you that it will still be perfectly suitable for consumption.
Can Bentonite Clay Be Taken Internally? How Do You Tell If Bentonite Clay Can?
100% pure bentonite clay can be taken internally, as discussed above. The main thing to be cautious of is its mineral content, as some poorer quality bentonite clay products have shown to contain trace amounts of lead and aluminium.
While this may not cause to many issues with the average adult, it can be dangerous for both children and pregnant women. As a result, for those you looking to ingest bentonite clay, we strongly recommend you look for lead and aluminium free clay products.
Can You Take Bentonite Clay Every Day?
As previously discussed, it is perfectly safe to take small amounts of bentonite clay each and every day. The thing you need to be caution of is taking too much bentonite clay in a single sitting.
As bentonite clay expands within the digestive system, if you consume to much you may run the risk of causing digestive issues, while also limiting your absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.
With this in mind, if you stick to ½ a teaspoon each day you should be perfectly fine.
Should You Take Bentonite Clay With Food?
While bentonite clay can be taken with food, it is notoriously difficult to cook with (as it absorbs all the liquid from the food it is cooked with). As a result, we strongly recommend people consume it with liquid, as this is both the easiest and most efficient option.
What Is It Beneficial To Mix Bentonite Clay With?
Although bentonite clay has a number of health benefits when used as a standalone treatment, many within the health industry have suggested that these positive effects can be enhanced by combining it with other products.
Taking this into consideration, we have provided a little bit of information around the benefits of pairing bentonite clay with some other key health boosting compounds as a way to maximise its effectiveness and cause huge improvements in function as a result.
Apple Cider Vinegar
When it comes to organic natural remedies, none are more popular than apple cider vinegar. A unique liquid compound that contains an abundance of vitamins and nutrients and key health-boosting bacteria, it has been shown to exhibit a number of potent health effects on the human body.
Given that apple cider vinegar has been shown to exhibit certain antibacterial and antimicrobial effects that have been suggested to assist tin the treatment of skin disease and acne, it may further enhance bentonite clays capacity to enhance skin health and quality.
Additionally, apple cider vinegar also contains both a specific type of fibre (known as pectin) and a number of unique bacterial strains that have shown strong associations with enhanced digestive health. As a result, consuming bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar may provide an excellent way to increase digestive health, enhance immune system function, and cause general improvements in health and wellbeing.
Honey
In a similar vein to apple cider vinegar, honey has been shown to exhibit potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. With this in mind, honey has the capacity to assist in the treatment of skin disease such as acne, while also causing improvement in general skin health.
As a result, honey offers an excrement addition to bentonite clay-based skin treatments, as it may enhance its effectiveness considerably.
Diatomaceous Earth
As previously mentioned in the above section, diatomaceous earth is an all organic compound made from the fossilised remains of tiny aquatic organisms known as Diatoms. Diatomaceous earth typically comes in the form of a fine white powder, where it is used to detoxify the body and assist in the removal of parasites from the mouth and digestive tract.
Taking all of this into consideration, combining bentonite clay and diatomaceous earth may offer an excellent way to enhance digestive health and function, in which it will assist in the removal of toxins and parasites from the gastrointestinal tract.
Additionally, given that diatomaceous earth has been shown to enhance oral health, it may also provide a good way to increase the positive impact that bentonite clay has been said to have on the teeth.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is fast becoming one of the most popular natural remedies on the planet – and for a very good reason too – because it works.
With this in mind, coconut oil is known to exhibit an abundance of antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which have been shown to have some impact on skin health and function. As a result, combining bentonite clay and coconut oil into s ingle skin treatment is likely to be an excellent way of causing large improvement in skin health and function.
It is also important to note that while coconut oil has also been shown to cause improvements in global health and, the qualities of bentonite clay (in which it absorbs nearly everything it comes into contact with) is likely to limit these if they are consumed together.
Turmeric
Very similar to the above, turmeric has known anti-inflammatory qualities that have been suggested to enhance skin health and function. Taking this into consideration, the addition of turmeric into a bentonite clay face mask may have some benefit in assisting in the treatment of acne and improving skin cell quality, although there is limited evidence to suggest that this is the case.
Lemon
Lemon juice is one of the oldest remedies on the planet, once used to treat anything from the common cold all the way up too digestive issues, in which it was also suggested to enhance wound healing and increase general health.
In modern day, lemon juice has been shown to contain key antibacterial properties that may assist in the treatment of both blackheads and acne. Within this suggestion, lemon also appears to be an excellent natural addition to bentonite clay skin treatments, as it can enhance their ability to treat common skin diseases and remove pimples and blemishes.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is made from fermented grains, in which it actually undergoes a much longer process of fermentation than other vinegars, such as apple cider vinegar. As a result, this leads to a much greater acid content within the final product.
With this in mind, white vinegar is extremely acidic. This means that its consumption can actually cause some distress to the stomach and gut and may even lead to gastrointestinal issues – not to mention it tastes horrible.
Additionally, white vinegar is far too acidic to offer any benefit to the skin – in fact it may actually do more harm than good. As a result, we cannot recommend the combination of white vinegar and bentonite clay in any capacity.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are made from specific compounds that have been extracted from their respective plants, capturing both their scent and their essence in an extremely potent form. These extracts are then combined with a carrier oils to create a product that is both easily accessible and immediately ready for use. Building on this a little further, if a given plant contains compounds that exhibit either medicinal or health boosting properties, then its resulting essential oil will also exhibit those properties – often to a much greater degree.
Considering that the vast number of herbal remedies that exist throughout the world, it should come as no surprise that there are thought to be hundreds (if not thousands) of essential oils that exhibit potent healing properties. Of these, essential oils derived from lavender, frankincense, sandalwood, and cedarwood have been shown to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can enhance skin health.
As a result, combining any of these with bentonite clay is likely to enhance its skin healing properties, while also assisting in treatment of acne and skin scarring.
Psyllium Husk
Psyllium is specific type of fibre that is made from the seed husks of the Plantago ovata plant. While this particular type of fibre is often used as a laxative, it has been shown to cause large improvements in digestive health and function, while also having a positive impact on cardiovascular and pancreatic health.
Like bentonite clay, when consumed, psyllium husk absorbs much of the water found within the gut. This not only limits the absorption of many toxins and chemicals within the body, but also promotes digestion while making bowel movements occur much more easily.
The combination of bentonite clay and psyllium husk as a digestive supplement has been suggested to increase digestive health in a very big way, by cleansing the gastrointestinal tract of unwanted organisms and assisting in the removal of toxins and chemicals.
Charcoal
Through very similar mechanisms to bentonite clay, charcoal has been shown to draw poisons, chemicals, toxins, and other particles from the skin. Through this mechanism, charcoal has been suggested to cause large improvement in skin health and quality – which essentially explains why it is an incredibly popular ingredient in face cleansing products.
Combining bentonite clay and charcoal into a single skin treatment is therefore likely to elicit further improvement in skin health and function, while also assisting stave off skin related diseases such as acne.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a very famous plant that falls well within the succulent family. It is often recognized by its spiky leaves, where it has a well-known ability to treat sunburn. Within this, the Aloe Vera plant has become increasingly popular within the health industry as a natural remedy to improve skin health and function.
Additionally, while Aloe Vera is well known for its ability to treat sunburn and skin disease, many don’t realize is that it has the capacity to improve upon many other skin related conditions. These include psoriasis, frost bite, and dermatitis – it can even aid in the healing of superficial skin wounds.
This suggest that the addition of Aloe Vera to a bentonite clay based skin treatment is likely to cause even further improvements in skin health, while also cauing large improvements in diseased or sun-damaged skin.
Bentonite Clay Health Recipes
After reading through the above section it should be pretty apparent that bentonite clay can be combined with other key compounds to create some incredible health boosters. With this in mind, we have gone ahead and found what we believe to be the best bentonite clay recipes in existence.
Each of these can be used to create unique bentonite clay products that can impact various aspects of health in a very positive manner.
Bentonite Clay Toothpaste Recipe
We have already discussed the suggested benefits of bentonite clay in regards to oral hygiene and dental health. Building on this notion further, it can be combined with additional ingredients to create an incredible toothpaste that can cause huge improvements in oral health.
Ingredients:
- 4 Tablespoons of Bentonite Clay
- 3 tablespoons of Calcium Powder
- 1 tablespoon of Diatomaceous Earth
- 2 Tablespoons of Mint Essential Oil
- 1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon Powder
- 1 Teaspoon of Xylitol Powder (for taste)
Combine all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container. This well create a tooth powder that will last you a very long time (as it doesn’t contain water, it literally cannot go off). To use, simply dip your toothbrush in the powder, coat the toothbrush in a small amount of water, and start brushing!
Face Mask Recipe
Again, as mentioned above, there are a number of compounds that can be combined with bentonite clay to create a face mask that can not only improve skin health and quality, but also stave off any unwanted skin conditions such as acne.
Ingredients:
- 4 Tablespoons of Bentonite Clay
- 2 Teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ Teaspoon of Organic Charcoal
- ½ Teaspoon of Honey
- 2 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- ½ Teaspoon of Turmeric Powder
- ½ Teaspoon of Coconut Oil
Now this one is pretty simple to put together. Place all the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly with a spoon. The end result should be a thick mud-like paste. If the mixture is to dry, simply add small amounts of apple cider vinegar to increase its moisture content.
Once you have the finished product, spread evenly over the skin of the face to create a nice thick mask, and leave on for about 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes is up, simply wash off the clay mask with warm water.
This process can be completed daily to ensure skin health and function is maintained.
Shampoo Recipe
While there isn’t a heap of research to suggest that bentonite clay can cause any real improvements in hair health, a number of people within the health industry swear by the effectiveness of bentonite clay shampoo. As a result, we have found what we believe to be the best recipe available.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup of Brewed Green Tea
- ¾ Cup of Bentonite Clay
- ½ Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Start this recipe by brewing your green tea and then letting it cool. Once it has cooled, add all of the liquid ingredients into a blender and mix thoroughly. Once they have mixed, slowly add in your bentonite clay while simultaneously mixing – this will gradually increase the thickness of the mixture.
Continue with this process until the mixture is the completely smooth. The final product should be consistency of yoghurt, where it can then be stored in an airtight container (it should last about a week).
To use this shampoo, simply wet your hair thoroughly (as you would in the shower) and gradually massage the shampoo into your hair, ensuring that it coats the hair completely. Once the hair is coated, leave in for anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes before rinsing out with warm water.
Deodorant Recipe
Given the potent antibacterial properties of bentonite clay, it also has the capacity to be used as a deodorant. In this manner it can reduce perspiration, improve scent, and reduce the risk of developing any harmful bacterial infections. The following outlines a great natural deodorant recipe that can be used immediately in place of your more traditional deodorants.
Ingredients:
- 6 Tablespoons of Organic Coconut Oil
- 2 Tablespoons of Bentonite Clay
- 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda
- 3 Tablespoons of Organic Corn Starch
- 10 Drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
This is another very simple recipe that can be whipped up in mere minutes. Start with the coconut oil and stir it thoroughly with a fork until smooth. Then proceed to add in all of the other ingredients gradually, ensuring that you are mixing as you go. Once completely mixed, store in an airtight container for future use.
To apply, simply rub a small amount into the skin of the underarm. This paste will melt into the skin relatively quickly.
Detox Recipe
This bentonite clay detox has everything you need to boost digestive health and enhance immune system function quickly and effectively. It can be used daily, in which it offers an extremely simple and efficient option.
Ingredients:
- ½ Teaspoon of Bentonite Clay
- ½ Teaspoon of Psyllium Husk
- 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 8 Ounces of water
This recipe requires very little effort – simply blend it all together and drink it as you see fit!
Bath Recipe
Bentonite clay bath soaks have the capacity to enhance skin health while also detoxifying the body by assisting in the removal of chemicals form the skin. This bentonite clay bath recipe is both simple and effective, in which it can be used once or twice per week to cause large improvements in health.
Ingredients:
- ½ Cup of Bentonite Clay
- ½ Cup of Epsom Salts
- 10 Drops of Lavender Essential Oils
With this one, start by mixing the bentonite clay with water in a small container. Once it has been completely dissolved, add into a warm bath with the salts and the essential oils. Soak for anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes to maximise the associated skin health benefits.
Skin Disease Treatment
Although the above face mask has the potential to improve skin health and quality on a more global scale, it may not be the most suitable option for targeting specific areas of skin that have nasty blemishes or infection. With this in mind, the following skin treatment offers an excellent treatment for acne, dermatitis, and severe cases of blackheads.
Ingredients:
- 1 Teaspoon of Bentonite Clay
- 2 Teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Teaspoon of Lemon Juice
- ½ Teaspoon of Organic Aloe Vera Juice
- 2 Drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil
- ½ Teaspoon of Coconut Oil
Like the face mask, this one is also pretty easy to put together. Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly with a spoon. This should produce a thick paste that is quite dense in nature (if the mixture is too dry, simply add a small amount of water to the mix and continue to stir).
Once you have the thick paste ready to go, apply it to the specific area of skin that requires treatment, and leave on the skin for approximately 60 minutes. This process can be completed daily to ensure skin health and function is maintained.
Does Bentonite Clay Have Any Side Effects?
Now while there are some obvious health benefits associated with the use of bentonite clay, it is also important that we touch briefly on some of the side effects that may occur with its use.
As previously mentioned, some poorer quality bentonite clay may contain contaminants – some of which may include harmful toxins and heavy metals (most commonly aluminum and lead). With this in mind, it is imperative that you are quite selective with your bentonite clay if you plan on ingesting it, as a poor-quality clay may actually induce disease and illness rather than help cure it.
It is also important to note that while some people have suggested that ingestion of bentonite clay may lead to kidney stones, there is no research to suggest that this is the case in any capacity.
Additionally, with clay ingestion it is important that you stick to the recommended consumption guidelines of ½ teaspoon with 8 ounces of water maximum each day. As bentonite clay can absorb all of the moisture and liquid found within the digestive tract, if it is over-consumed it can actually cause a blockage within the intestine. This can lead to subsequent intestinal distress, with the potential to develop a host of associated gastrointestinal issues, including constipation and cramping.
In terms of skin cleansing, bentonite clay appears to be extremely safe. As it is completely natural and does not contain any compounds that can cause harm to the skin, its use has shown no associations with skin cancer or skin burns. With this in mind, it appears to have no negative implications when applied to the hair of the head either.
And finally, while some people have suggested that bentonite clay is perfectly safe for use with animals, there is currently very little research performed within this area – as a result we recommend you avoid treating your pets with bentonite clay, as it is always better to be safe than to be sorry.
Conclusion
Bentonite clay appears to be one of the safer organic remedies to hit the market in a very long time, in which it has been shown to enhance health through a number of different mechanisms. While it has built a solid reputation as a potent detoxifier, it also appears to have merit as a skin treatment, ensuring health is maintained while also aiding in treating common skin disorders. Additionally, bentonite clay also appears to have the ability to enhance digestive and immune system health and function.
While its ingestion has been shown to have some side effects, these can be mitigated by ensuring you are selective with your product choice and making sure you stick to appropriate consumption guidelines.
Taking this into consideration, the three bentonite clay products listed in this article are what we believe to be the best on the market at the moment. And as always, if you have had any experience using bentonite clay, we would love to hear about it – so please drop us a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
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