Typical chemical analysis of calcium bentonite: Na2O - 1.56%; MgO - 3.32%; Al2O3 - 18.23%; SiO2 - 60.70%; Al2O3 - 18.31%; K2O - 3.03%; CaO - 2.85%; TiO2 - 0.49%; Mn3O4 - 0.08%; Fe2O3 - 3.95%. Typical heavy metal content: Pb (lead) - 15.4ppm, As (arsenic) - 2.6ppm, Hg - <0.01ppm. LOI - 6.05%.

Cation exchange rate (CEC) - 76meq/100g.

Swelling volume - 11ml/2g.

Sieve analysis - Maximum 5% retained on a 150µm sieve; 15%-25% retained on a 75µm sieve.

Bentonite clays have been under increased spotlight recently thanks to their amazing infection-destroying properties. Medical circles are interested in this, due to the need to find an effective remedy to fight hospital superbugs which have become resistant to the strongest antibiotics. Excellent research information about the ability of bentonite clays to kill infection can be found on the website www.eytonsearth.org.

The theory is that clay particles are so minute, that they envelope the bacteria as if in a cocoon, depriving them of nutrition and water, causing them to die. In most research experiments, both 'in vivo' and 'in vitro', all types of bacteria used in research were neutralised within 1-2 hours. This property is being utilised in the treatment of gangrenous infections, wounds, to de-contaminate water to make it suitable for drinking, etc, both by natural therapists and medical practitioners.

Bentonite clays are also called 'living clays' - due to their ability to absorb and adsorb and their ionic exchange capability.

Sodium Bentonite is the 'swelling' type - it increases up to 14 times in volume when hydrated. This allows it to increase its active toxin-attracting surface manyfold. Calcium Bentonite has an enormous active surface due to a very small particle size. "Sodium bentonite, when dispersed in water, separates into suspendible flakes which are all finer than 0.5 micron. Calcium bentonite yields about 35% finer than 0.5 micron. Generally speaking, where sodium content is 2% or over, sodium becomes an active ion, and then the clay is referred to as sodium bentonite.

The difference in bentonite and other clays lies in lattice structure. The sheet of atoms in bentonite are much thinner and more easily separable in water. That is why bentonite occupies more surface area than other clays. This property is known as dispersibility, which is unique to swelling type of bentonite". http://www.mineralszone.com/minerals/bentonite.html

Both clays have a cumulative negative charge when hydrated, with acitve exchangeable negatively-charged ions of Calcium, Sodium or Magnesium attracting mostly positively-charged ions of toxic substances and heavy metals, binding these substances, thus neutralising them. This property - to attract and bind substances - has won the bentonite a reputation of 'living clay'. It is an extremely important property for detoxifying and poison-neutralising processes.

Clays consist of a large number of minerals. Calcium montmorillonite is recorded to have no less than 67 minerals. The bulk of them includes calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, silica, manganese, boron, bromide, as well as other macro and micro-elements. Clays interact with the environment on a very intelligent level of ion exchange, by releasing its 'non-heavy' metals and swapping them for the heavy ones, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As) among the most prevalent. This is why clays are often abundant in these heavy metals. However, unlike other substances, they don't release them back to the environment, unless strong acids are used (the same goes for aluminium oxide which is said by some to somehow be a 'danger' to living beings. It is important to remember that clay does not release aluminium ions unless under the influence of strong acids.)

Clay is not only a powerful healer. People who fall in love with it stay with it for life, with all passion and emotion they are capable of. Mud and clay are the sources of life on Earth. It reminds us of our humble origin, and of the need to remember it. It is the beginning and the end of our brief visit into this world, as we know it. "From dust we come, to dust we go". It reminds us of our suppressed desire to cover ourselves in mud and have simple fun with it, like we used to when we were children. It keeps us grounded in our roots. It reminds us that no matter how far we have stepped into the area of scientific and industrial developments, we are still babies of Mother Earth which is the source of every single thing we eat, drink and own. It is soothing and calming when we are in tune with it, giving us reassurance that some things will never change, and we can always come back to her for food, comfort, cure. All we need to do is open our hearts and minds and reconnect with our wild, primitive roots.

Clays can be used in compresses, poultices, baths, face masks, body wraps, powder applications to weeping ulcers, nappy rash, weeping eczema, fungal infections. They can also be used as tooth powders - calcium bentonite clays are excellent at removing plaque and whitening teeth, due to their bleaching properties (be careful not to over-use it for this purpose, since it can be abrasive and can wear down the enamel). In the cosmetics industry bentonites are used in soaps, toothpastes, face/body packs, and other clay-based products which are beginning to win the consumer over.

Compress

To make a compress, mix some clay with warm water to make it quite runny. Spread over a piece of cloth. Apply on an affected area. Cover with a compress paper, wrap up in a warm cloth. Leave on until the clay dries out. Apply on aching joints, muscles, in the area of organs affected by an illness.

Poultice

A poultice has a much more powerful effect than a compress, since it requires a lot more clay per application - 0,5-2cm thick, and it works as a mass, drawing up toxic waste into itself. The electromagnetic charge is stronger too. So the overall effect is more powerful. It is especially good for applications on a diseased organ area, or simply where a stronger action is required. Apply warm poultice over an affected area, cover with greaseproof paper and with a warm cloth. If an area is hot and inflamed, a cold poultice application is recommended to relieve the heat and reduce the inflammation.

Bath

A bath has a weaker effect than a poultice and a compress, unless quite a lot of clay is used. In cases of large amounts of clay being used, there may be problems with drainage afterwards unless one is careful. I normally keep stirring the water while it is being drained, and so far have avoided any blockages. For a bath, take 500g of clay, mix it in warm bath water and stay in it for up to 30 minutes, or until the water starts cooling down. I personally prefer the Rapan clays for baths, because due to their saline nature the effects are so much more pronounced, that I can feel them while still in the bath.

Face Mask

Basic face mask recipe: 1 tsp of clay + water to form a spreadable paste. Apply and leave to dry. Wash off, apply moisturiser. Clay masks can have other ingredients added, depending on the skin type and purpose of the mask. Calcium Bentonite masks have a natural bleaching effect, and are used when aiming to reduce blotches, pigmentation, etc. They are also excellent at restoring the natural pH of the skin and cleansing it. Acne/spots is another skin condition which benefits from clay applications. Since bentonite clays are great detoxifyiers, they leave the skin cleansed, pink, fresh and revitalised, generally looking younger.

Body Wrap

Body wrap is another very useful application for bentonite clays. It is a luxurious and thoroughly therapeutic treatment, especially with powdered seaweed added to it. Mix the clay with seaweed powder (50/50), add water to form a spreadable mass. To do it at home, prepare a place to lie on first, and a warm room. Lay down 1 or 2 warm blankets, with a plastic sheet on top. Cover yourself with the mixture of clay and water, or clay, seaweed and water, lie down on the plastic sheet, cover yourself with the remaining half of the blanket. Make sure you remain warm throughout. Stay under the blanket for 15-30 minutes. Wash off in a shower or a bath. For a salon application, follow the normal procedure for a body wrap.

Note: All information on this website is for informative purposes only. With all respect for everyone's right to choose methods of treatment and remedies, you are strongly advised not to resort to self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Do consult a doctor if you have an undiagnosed condition. If you are on a life-saving medication, please consult your doctor before using clays or any other alternatives.