Clay properties and how to use it to heal

The clay has been one of the first remedies in history, today little used but within everyone’s reach. It is easily achieved, it is available all yearis useful for making pottery and has amazing properties.

Like many animals, humans may have used clay since the dawn of humanity. In nature it is not uncommon to see wild animals wallow in the dirt or mud to strengthen the skin and clean it of eczema, calluses or parasites.

However, clay is not dirt, but a part of it devoid of sand and organic elements and finely micronized in such a way that it has great plasticity. It can be defined as particles smaller than two microns in diameter composed essentially of calcium, magnesium and aluminum silicates. Even so, the composition of the clays, respecting these major components, varies greatly depending on the terrain where they have been collected and hence they can be found even in different colors.

What qualities does clay have?

Clays are characterized by having a laminar structure with a high specific surface area and an electrical charge. Both qualities give them all a great capacity to absorb water and to fix and exchange ions, among other properties. In addition, due to their specific composition, some other properties can be attributed to some clays, especially when consumed internally.

The properties common to all claysdue to their physical characteristics, are:

Absorption. Absorption is the ability of many elements to absorb liquids. The water retention capacity of clays easily quintuples its dry weight; however, this depends on the fluidity or consistency that is desired afterwards, since modeling clay has less water than clay with a thick chocolate texture or clay “milks”. By absorbing liquids, clays also absorb all substances that are dissolved in them. Thus, when applied externally, they absorb body fluids from the skin and many of its fats, so in general have a drying action. Hence, caution is advised for people with dry skin.Adsorption. The same process that takes place when clay comes into contact with liquids also happens with gases. Clay is a great adsorbent, and this is one of the reasons why internal consumption of clay generally reduces digestive gases and is considered purifying. On the skin it also acts as an adsorbent, although in this case there is not a large amount of gases to absorb, except those of perspiration, on which exerts a deodorant effect which, although temporary, is interesting.

Heat retention capacity. It is one of the most interesting properties of clay, since it is a poor conductor of heat. When heated (unlike water, which cools quickly), it holds heat for a long time. This low conductivity also allows hotter clay applications of what could be supported with water. When the clay is applied to the skin, it initially gives a sensation of intense but very bearable heat, since a superficial layer is formed in contact with the skin that reduces its temperature in relation to the core or center of the application. The thicker the clay, the higher temperature it can be applied, while thinner applications can burn more if applied hot. This heat capacity is especially useful in painful and rheumatic processes.Transmineralization. It is widely discussed whether clay can induce a transmineralization process (passage of minerals through the skin) or not. In general, the ability of minerals to pass through the skin barrier is usually limited, so does not provide a large amount of nutrients To the skin. In any case, the high silicate content of the clay is interesting. Despite its poor solubility, silicon can help regenerate skin collagenTherefore, even if it is little, it contributes to improving the smoothness of the skin and reducing its flaccidity.Nutrition. You can’t talk about nutrition specifically when we talk about the internal clay cure. In fact, in general, clay does not nourish or is it directly an antinutrient, because reduces the absorption of some principles food. The more soluble elements of the clay, such as magnesium salts, are absorbed with some ease, and can dampen the astringent effect exerted by the clay. You can also contribute to the contribution of a higher amount of trace elementsbut due to the great variability of the secondary components of the clays it is difficult to recommend it in this sense.

What types of clay are there?

White clay. It is usually this color because contains kaolin andto a lesser extent, feldspar. They are generically called kaolinites and they are highly plastic (technically they are “fatty clays”, even though they do not contain fat), very suitable for internal treatment, since diluted they form “clay milk”. Are highly appreciated in cosmetics for its richness in talcs (kaolin), which give it a special smoothness and delicacy. Also in pottery, for the manufacture of porcelain.Green. Also much appreciated. One of the best is bentonite (or montmorillonite), which is actually not green, but grayish. The illitealso a “green clay”, is very rich in calcium, plastic and adheres very well to the skin.Reds. They are not of lower quality than the previous ones, but are the most frequent and its color is usually due to the presence of iron minerals (Oxides and hydroxides generally).

External cures with clay

The external clay cure is the most common and well-known, and it can be done in many ways. What follows is just one selection of the most important

1. Calorific poultice

Clay poultices are prepared kneading the clay with very hot water until it acquires a moldable consistency and does not stain excessively. Then the clay mass is spread on a canvas, for example cotton, and a layer of a thickness approximately 1 to 2 centimeters (the thicker, the greater the heat retention capacity). On the outermost layer, a plastic cover that will prevent heat from dissipating and staining outer clothing.

This poultice is applied on the chosen area or jointpreferably when going to bed, and it is left to act between 40 and 90 minutes, in any case until the heat dissipates. Applications can be made up to two or three times a week.

They are especially recommended in painful rheumatic processes of the joints, although they are also very useful in other painful processes, such as menstruationand in generic purification therapies of the abdomen.

2. Masks and brush strokes

When the clay is thinned with water to a thick chocolate consistency, or slightly less, it can be brushed onto the skin and enjoyed. regenerative, detoxifying and cleansing effect.

These types of applications, however, they do not retain heat because little clay and much water are used. These clay preparations for application on the skin can be prepared with herbal teas instead of water, such as chamomile, orange blossom water, cucumber juice… You can even add some oil such as rosehip or carrot, which will help improve skin sensitivity.

In any case, let us remember that after an application of this type on the skin It is convenient to remove all the excess clayfor example with plenty of fresh water, and then apply some moisturizing product. In any case, you should not wait for the clay to dry completely before removing it.

Clay brush strokes can be left on the skin for a variable amount of time. In general a short first application is recommendedabout ten minutes, which serves as a test to assess how the skin responds.

When applying the clay to the face, special care must be taken since it can become excessively dry. This type of applications is usually recommended to be carried out at most once or twice a week.

3. Clay water baths

For the more sensitive skin clay water bath may be helpful. Some are required 100 grams of clay in a full tub of hot water. Previously they are left to rest separately for about fifteen minutes in a saucepan or a basin submerged in very hot water; this way the clay will dilute better when you lie in the tub.

The clay water bath can be hold for 45 minutes. It is especially indicated in processes of moist skin dermatitiswhere the application of thicker clay could have an irritating effect.

Can the clay be ingested?

The clayey water for perform an internal cure Prepare by letting it rest a teaspoon of dessert heaped with clay (occasionally two) in mineral water and letting her perform all night, to take it in the morning. At the beginning of the cure, it is more food, and ensuring that the subsequent breakfast is very low in fat. It is recommended to get used to it little by little, avoiding ingesting the clay dregs at the beginning of the cure.

The internal cure is generally proposed during a period not exceeding 20 days (better two weeks) and can be repeated several times every three to six months.

The clay has very few contraindicationsand the most important is that it does not feel good to the stomach, which with these doses and periods is rather rare, but observe these precautions allows you to benefit from clay without taking risks:

interactions. Due to its absorbent power, clay can interfere with drug absorption, so its internal consumption should always be done one hour before or after taking any medication. external clay reduces the effectiveness of many creams.On an empty stomach. The clay should be consumed on an empty stomach, outside of meals, since it the mixture with fat literally forms a “brick”hardening it, reducing its absorption and adsorption capacity, and causing more intestinal alterations.Dose. Clay should be consumed in low doses. The high doses can cause constipation and alter nutrient absorption. One to two teaspoons a day for set periods of time is an adequate dose.Drink a lot of liquids. During the internal cure of clay, you have to drink plenty of liquid to avoid the formation of lumps.

The healing power of peloids

A peloid (hairs in Greek means “mud”) is a mixture of organic matter (humus) and non-organic matter (minerals) that can be used for therapeutic purposes. Clay is a peloid, although not all peloids are clays; many do not contain clay.

The most interesting from the medicinal point of view are the muds extracted from lake beds, lagoons or even the sea. Others, on the other hand, are made by fermenting a vegetable matter with sludge or sludge (many times with grass or hay resting in pools with sludge for months), or are traded…