Bentonite clay is a secret weapon in many women’s beauty bags. And now you too can enjoy the awesome benefits of bentonite clay….all without breaking the bank!
What Is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite clay is volcanic ash. It’s loaded with minerals like magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, potassium, and silica. Here are some fun facts:
- Bentonite clay is mined from the good old USA (more commonly from Montana and Wyoming to be exact).
- It is also called montmorillonite.
- Montmorillonite is the region in France where bentonite clay was first discovered. Fort Benton, Wyoming, is where a large bentonite clay mine is located.
How Does It Help?
Bentonite clay has the amazing ability to bind toxins and heavy metals to itself – pulling them out of your body. This process is triggered when you add water to the clay.
[pullquote]The negative charge is what binds the bad stuff to the bentonite clay, removing the toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals from your body.[/pullquote]
Water triggers bentonite clay’s super powers; water and clay together create a negative charge. Negative elements attract positive elements, something you may recall from your high school Science class.
The clay can also kill bacteria but in a new way that is not yet fully understood. Some of its more specific benefits are as follows:
1. Makes A Good Zit Zapper
Bentonite clay has been in my zit-shrinking arsenal for as long as I can remember.
- Mix a tablespoon of clay with water until it gets a toothpaste-like consistency.
- Apply this to the affected area.
- Once it dries, take a warm, wet washcloth to clean it off.
The results are often immediate, helping that pimple to shrivel up and die. I’d suggest you to apply the clay every day, several days in a row, until the pimple is gone.
2. Soothes Eczema And Psoriasis
If you have eczema or psoriasis, I’m sure your once beautiful skin now suffers the resulting discomfort and embarrassment. Bentonite clay can greatly reduce these symptoms.
Remember, eczema and psoriasis are often a result of internal inflammation. To fully eliminate your symptoms, you need to reduce the inflammation in your body.
My 1-year-old son had eczema since he was a few months old. I make a soothing homemade lotion with tallow that keeps it under control. Yes, we are still working on discovering what causes my little guy’s eczema. I suspect it is food-related as it gets much worse when he eats dairy. In my next batch of lotion, I plan to add some bentonite clay to the lotion and see the effects.
- You can apply bentonite clay directly to your eczema or psoriasis.
- Make a toothpaste-like mixture again by adding water.
- Apply this to the affected area and remove with a warm, wet washcloth once it dries.
Your skin should feel less irritated, refreshed, and clean.
3. Works As An Easy-To-Make, At-Home Facial
Stop paying an arm and a leg for a facial at the salon. You can do the same thing at home for much less. The main ingredient in many expensive mud masks is bentonite clay.
Follow the same directions mentioned earlier.
- Your skin will feel clean and refreshed.
- You will feel an immediate tightening of your skin
- It also brightens your complexion.
- It’s a detox for your skin.
You could do many variations of this facial. Substitute water with milk or aloe vera juice.
4. Cools Sunburn And Insect Bites
Bentonite clay does a great job taking the itch or sting out of insect bites and cooling the heat from sunburn. Make a paste and apply it on the affected area. Let it dry to get the full benefit.
5. Cleanse Your Hair Of Build Up
Mix equal parts water (or apple cider vinegar) and bentonite clay and use it to cleanse your hair of years of build up – all without stripping your hair of its natural oils like other products.
- Do a quick rinse of water and apple cider vinegar (1 cup of water to 1 tsp apple cider vinegar).
- Rinse the vinegar solution out and you’re done!
This will leave your hair clean and soft.
Tips For Mixing Clay
The first time I tried to mix a batch of bentonite clay, it was a miserable fail. So follow these few steps:
1. Mix Step By Step
Add little amounts of clay to your water a little bit at a time, mixing as you go. DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE CLAY.
Three parts water to one part clay is typically used, but follow package instructions if they deviate.
2. Use No Metal
Only use plastic or glass with bentonite clay, and that includes your spoon. The clay should not come in contact with metal, as the metal will neutralize the negative charge that works all the magic.
3. Be Patient
If your clay gets lumpy, give it a good mix and walk away. The clay absorbs water at a dramatic rate, so give it a little time to work. I was able to achieve a smooth paste only after an hour.
[pullquote]If you get a clumpy mess, scrape it out of the bowl with a paper towel and put it in the trash. DO NOT PUT IT DOWN THE SINK![/pullquote]
Another recommendation is to add 3 parts water to 1 part clay. Then, let it sit for a few hours without mixing it. After a few hours, come back and stir. You should have achieved the consistency you are looking for. If making a larger batch, you will need more time.
I see a lot of people also talk about detox baths with bentonite clay – adding a cup of clay to the bath water. I would do so with caution! Bentonite clay is used to make cement and mortar among many other uses. So I would not put it down my drain in large quantities.
Some More Uses Of The Clay
- Take bentonite clay internally for a great detox. The clay will bind up the heavy metals, toxins, and chemicals to remove them from your body.
- Ingest bentonite clay with caution (and do your research first). Bentonite clay expands greatly beyond its size and could really clog up your system if taken in large quantities. And since bentonite clay pulls the toxins from your body, a toxic buildup is a really bad thing.
- Using baking soda in my homemade deodorant gave me a rash and irritation. So I substituted bentonite clay in its place, and it worked.
- Healing clays have some amazing antibacterial properties as shown in research. But even scientists are stumped as to how bentonite clay works its magic.
- For centuries people have used bentonite clay to heal cuts, burns, and bruises.
- It is also amazing for your teeth. Many people add it to their homemade toothpaste. It pulls toxins from your teeth, remineralizes them, and whitens them.
With so many uses, I’d love to hear what you’ve used bentonite clay for. Do share your experiences.
