HOPE you are doing well and are looking after yourselves and your loved ones.
I got an email in my divadiarys@gmail.com mailbox from Sabina Kalenga who asked me what Bentonite Clay is.
“Nancy, so lately I have been seeing all these bottles labelled Bentonite Clay and saying you should put it on your face and hair, and someone said you should drink it. I really do not like trying out things anyhow but is there any knowledge you can share with me,” Sabina.
Well, Sabina thank you for trusting me enough with that query, am humbled, I must tell you that I went into research mode to get more information on Bentonite Clay and other clays.
I use Bentonite clay mostly on my face and in my hair because when I drink it my body just does not like it but a friend of mine drinks it regularly and swears by it which is why I always say try something just to know whether it works on your body on not.
According to beforeitsnews.com; “Bentonite clay is clay that is mined from the earth, and it’s formed after volcanic ash has weathered and aged in the presence of water.
It has a strong negative electromagnetic charge, and when activated by water, it acts like a magnet in and on our bodies, pulling metals and toxins to it.”
In simpler terms, this means it draws out dangerous material from our bodies towards itself and substitutes them with the minerals it contains such as Sodium or Calcium depending on which clay you use.
There are a number of Bentonite Clay varieties such as potassium, sodium, calcium and aluminum, however most stores and health shops usually stock sodium bentonite and calcium bentonite.
The two are similar in their dry state and the difference is basically when they are activated i.e. mixed with water.
Beforeitsnews.com explains it best: “The main differences in these two varieties is that the sodium bentonite is best for detoxing purposes as it has a stronger negative charge which causes it to pull more toxins into it whereas the calcium bentonite clay is better at remineralising the body with calcium and silica.”
Calcium bentonite clay is the better option for external use, it is rich in absorbable calcium and has a pH of 9.5, which is highly (dare I say another highly) alkalizing effect on the body.
Be very aware that Bentonite Clay can be sold on the market in a less potent form and how you can tell is by checking its colour.
High quality bentonite clay has off-white, greyish hue – if your bentonite clay is pure, pearly white, be suspicious.
When mixing it do not use any metal equipment as this drastically reduces its potency, also ask the shop how and where your particular brand is mined from.
Anyone can use bentonite as it does not stain your skin if you find it harsh on your skin you can add some yogurt or aloe -vera gel to soothe your skin.
According to wellnessmama.com; you can use bentonite clay externally as a clay poultice, mud packs, mud bath, and various skin care recipes like cleansing grains and DIY facials.
Just mix it with some luke warm water in a creamy thicky consistency and apply on your clean skin leaving it for fifteen to twenty minutes and rinsing off.
Do not let it dry completely though, and rinse off with luke warm water.
Same practice applies for your hair.
If you are drinking it ensure that it is quite thin to avoid constipation, remember that it is clay and clay does solidify so keep drinking water throughout the day to ensure that you pass it out.
If you have children in the house Bentonite Clay is a must have ingredient because it works on any skin irritation insect bites, cuts, skin itching, or burns eczema, psoriasis, chicken pox.
Wellnessmama.com advises “creating a poultice by putting a thick layer of clay on the skin and applying a wet gauze or cloth over it. I wrap the area and leave the poultice on, changing every 2 hours.”
That’s it for this week, next week I will outline the other types of clays, so watch out.
Follow my blog divadiarys.blogspot.com and on twitter @Arushapot, on Facebook Nancy Handabile; you can also email me divadiarys@gmail.com.