7 health and beauty uses for bentonite clay

It’s time to ditch your hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap and dig your hands into some dirt. Clay, to be exact…

Bentonite clay is one of the world’s most healing clays. It occurs naturally in locations across the world — everywhere from Wyoming to France.

And people all over the world use this clay to treat conditions ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to acne. It’s also a popular spa-like treatment.

But this “dirt” not only does great things for your skin… it’s proven to be a powerful weapon against some of the most resistant pathogens known to man.

What’s its secret? Bentonite clay contains over 60 trace minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, selenium, phosphorus, chromium, iron and zinc. It also has an amazing drawing power — it seeks out toxins in your body, binds to them and pulls them out.

And that’s how bentonite clay can revolutionize your health — and bring out your natural beauty. Here are just a few ways to put it to use:

1. Try a bentonite clay face mask for clear, glowing skin. All you have to do is apply water to a small spoonful of dry bentonite clay until it develops a gel-like consistency (usually a 1:3 ratio of clay to water). Then spread the gel all over your face and let it harden. Leave the hardened clay on your face for 20 to 30 minutes. Bentonite clay is great for your skin because it draws out dirt, oil and anything else that’s clogging up your pores. It also exfoliates your skin, shrinks your pores and evens out your skin tone. And, on top of all that, it leaves you with soft, glowing skin that’s still full of moisture.
2. Take a bentonite clay bath to detox. Just add one to two cups of bentonite clay to a warm bath to release bodily toxins and get clear, healthy skin from head to toe. And if you have more serious skin troubles (like eczema, psoriasis, rashes or dry skin) a bentonite clay bath is just what the doctor ordered to begin the healing process.
3. Use bentonite for dental health. Bentonite clay puts its toxin-binding power to work in your mouth too, pulling out harmful bacteria and giving you a healthier smile. In fact, you can buy bentonite clay toothpastes in most health food stores right now. Or if you want to make your own, all you need is clay, water, coconut oil, baking soda, sea salt and an essential oil of your choosing. You can get more detailed instructions here.
4. Get soft and shiny locks with a bentonite clay hair mask. Applying a bentonite clay mask to your hair is a quick and easy way to get healthier, shinier strands. Just mix an herbal tea of your choice, with apple cider vinegar, clay and your favorite essential oil (or coconut oil) and apply the mixture to wet hair. Let it sit for a while (5-20 minutes) without letting it dry.
5. Apply bentonite clay to tired, puffy eyes. If you tend to get puffy around the eyes, bentonite clay can help by encouraging your body to drain the excess fluid hiding beneath the surface of your skin. Just moisten the area under your eyes and apply a thick layer of bentonite clay. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash it off. If your puffy eyes are a chronic problem, you can do this a few times a week. You’ll be surprised how much more refreshed and rejuvenated you’ll look.
6. Drink bentonite clay for a healthy gut. You probably know that glowing beauty starts on the inside. Fortunately, drinking a teaspoon of bentonite clay mixed in a glass of water daily can help you achieve both. It’s especially beneficial at detoxifying your gut and improving your digestion. You can even add a little psyllium fiber to it for an increased gut cleansing effect. Remember, your gut is the one organ to fight all disease so keep it working for you.
7. Keep bentonite in your first aid kit for lightning fast healing. You can use bentonite clay to heal cuts, sunburn, bug bites, bee stings, burns, poison ivy and pretty much everything else under the sun. For most of these ailments, all you need to do is apply a clay mud pack to the affected area, cover it with plastic wrap or cheesecloth and leave it on overnight. You’ll be amazed at what you find when you wake up in the morning.

Before you head to Fort Benton, Wyoming where you’d find the largest stash of this potent, aged volcanic ash, an internet search should yield some reputable sources that could mail you a cosmetic grade tub or two.

Sources:

1. “10 Proven Bentonite Clay Benefits and Uses.” Dr. Axe. https://draxe.com. Retrieved August 25, 2016.

2. Bosshardt, Neal. We Eat Clay (And Wear It Too!): Personal stories of the healing results of Redmond Clay. Redmond Clay, 2003.

3. “9 ways to use clay for health and beauty.” TreeHugger. http://www.treehugger.com. Retrieved August 25, 2016.

4. “The Benefits Of Clay—And Of Being Covered In It.” Into the Gloss. https://intothegloss.com. Retrieved August 25, 2016.

5. “DIY Toothpaste with Baking Soda and Bentonite Clay.” Overthrow Martha. http://www.overthrowmartha.com. Retrieved August 25, 2016.

6. “How to Detox Your Hair.” Wellness Mama. http://wellnessmama.com. Retrieved August 25, 2016.