Would you consider adding clay to your face, teeth, and bath? These are some of the possible bentonite clay benefits you should consider. The world’s three most common clays are kaolin, stoneware, and earthenware. We often think of clay as just something that’s just similar to dirt but with a thicker texture. However, it turns out clay not only can be used to make ceramic pots. It can also provide various health benefits. One of the possible ones is bentonite clay. If you’re thinking about using this supplement it’s important to know what it’s about. This clay can be used for various purposes including facial masks, bath soaks, and teeth cleaner.
There are also various bentonite clay supplements on the market. They’re loaded with different minerals like magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, and calcium. These are all important minerals that people need for their daily needs. Like picking other products it’s important to know what to look for when selecting a dietary supplement or other product containing the healthy clay. This will help to produce the best results. The good news is you can find these products at various retailers including online stores like Amazon, which can provide several benefits.
What Exactly Is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite clay is an Earth clay that’s mostly made of a certain mineral group. The clay was made by volcanic ash that’s been destroyed by water. There are various minerals found in the clay, including potassium, aluminum, sodium, and calcium. The amount of certain minerals affects the bentonite variants. For example, the most common ones are sodium and calcium.
Bentonite clay is known as the “clay of 1,000 uses”. There might not be that many, but the idea is that the clay has several uses that can benefit a person in many ways.
Geologists have discovered bentonite that’s believed to be up to 70 million years old. This has caused the clay to drop to the earth soil’s lower layers. It usually must be mined for people to get to the soil. If you want to buy the excavated clay, in most cases it’s available in a solid form even when it’s made up of 30% moisture.
The clay is usually combined with something called soda ash so it can be used after reactivation. There are usually some impurities like quartz in bentonites. They might have to be filtered out before the clay can be used for building things.
One of the main features of bentonite clay is it can expand after H2O is added. This is because of the way the clay’s particles are shaped. It also results in a bigger surface area. Then the water swaps ions with particles so the clay can become larger.
Since the clay can expand this makes it ideal for building things. That’s especially true of metal products. That’s because bentonite can be used to make sand with melted metal. Also, the clay could be blended in cement and used for various construction functions.
Top Bentonite Clay Benefits
Minerals
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Silica
- Sodium
These are all important minerals that can provide various health benefits. These minerals make the clay a good ingredient for different products including skincare and dietary supplement.
When the clay is ingested the nutrients can provide various benefits involving the body including gut health. It can also help to deal with digestion problems. When using the clay as a supplement make sure to use a wooden utensil so it doesn’t absorb a metal’s properties.
Facial mask
You can apply it directly to the skin to treat various skin conditions. Just add 1 tablespoon with honey and some water to provide a detoxifying/soothing facial mask. It’s a great option for sensitive/dry skin. If you have a problem with acne then this is also a good option.
The clay is known for its detoxifying properties. This can help to get rid of the buildup of dirt, grime, oil, and makeup. It can also help to remove dead skin cells. Just leave the mask on for about 15 minutes. Then use water to rinse.
If you want to add moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties then add some coconut oil and turmeric. These are natural ingredients that can add more benefits to the clay.
Bath soak
The idea of soaking in clay might seem odd at first. However, fans claim that it works. You just add some to warm water. It can work as a body detox. Just soak for a while to get rid of toxins in your body. Just add up to 1 cup of bathwater to enjoy a refreshing bath soak. If you want more relaxation then just add some essential oils as well.
More Benefits of Bentonite Clay
Teeth
You can use natural clay for dental care. It’s a gentle abrasive that has a mild taste. It can also help to remove plaque and add minerals back to the teeth while cleaning them.
There are various products on the market. They include ones to clean, whiten, and polish teeth. A key benefit is it’s enamel-friendly.
Skin conditions
If you have problems like acne and oily skin, then you should consider bentonite clay. That is because it can soak up water well, which can help to treat oily skin and prevent acne breakouts. The clay can also remove skin oil from the surface. The clay might also help to prevent breakouts.
Poison ivy
The clay can surprisingly help to deal with the itchiness from poison ivy. A 1995 study found that the clay can help to treat poison ivy, including rashes and the healing process.
Deodorant
If you’re looking for a natural way to keep your under-arm areas fresh then consider products that include bentonite clay. You can combine them with other ingredients like apple cider vinegar, arrowroot powder, and witch hazel. The clay is a good natural deodorant. It provides benefits like less moisture/bacteria.
There are various products on the market. For example, you can find various roll-on deodorants including ones for sensitive skin. You can even find formulas that are gluten-free and vegan. They’re sometimes fragranced with natural essential oils. This includes options like grapefruit, vanilla, and lavender.
Supplement
One of the main uses of bentonite is to provide the body with needed vitamins/minerals. They can help with various digestion issues like nausea, constipation. This is done by removing stuff like chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals from the body.
You can add the clay to different drinks like water, shakes, and smoothies. Just add 1 teaspoon of food-grade clay then enjoy bentonite clay benefits.