Calcium Bentonite Clay Health Benefits

Natural clays have been used as part of the healing traditions in many parts of the world. Some indigenous cultures used a clay-water to dip food into during meals to prevent stomach upset, according to the website EytonsEarth.com. The waters in some parts of the world are naturally high in clay particulates and the people there consume clay on a daily basis throughout their entire lives.

Balance Body pH

The merits of alkalizing the body to restore health and prevent disease is debatable. Eating a diet that is rich in meats, grains, sugar and dairy products--which are acidifying, and with an under-representation of fresh fruits and vegetables--which are alkalizing can lead to a chronic state of acidity and resultant health problems. Bentonite clay, with a pH of 9, is naturally alkaline and helps to restore the body to an alkaline state, says Robert O. Young, author of the book, "The pH Miracle." Drinking a solution of bentonite clay in water dailly, before eating or drinking acid-forming foods will help maintain alkaline conditions in the cells and tissues and counteract the acidifying effects of many diets.

Remove Toxins

Bentonite clay has a strong negative charge, making it capable of chemically adhering to positively charged substances, including bacteria, metals, certain toxins and metabolic waste products, according to Ran Knishinsky, author of "The Clay Cure: Natural Healing from the Earth." As the clay makes its way through the digestive tract, it picks up and carries off harmful substances. The clay is not digested and does not enter the bloodstream, rather it remains in the intestinal tract and is eliminated in the stool. In this way, the contents of the bowel are cleansed of internal waste and the body is protected from added toxic burden by the action of the bentonite clay preventing absorption of environmental toxins entering through food sources. Because of it absorptive properties, bentonite clay should be taken at least two hours apart from nutritional supplements or medications, says the website GlobalHealingCenter.com.

Heal Diabetic Ulcers and Pressure Sores

A paste or poultice of bentonite clay applied to the area of a diabetic ulcer or pressure sore in a bedridden patient can speed the healing process and prevent infection, says the website AboutClay.com. The clay can also be sprinkled directly over the wound and repeated several times throughout the day. Clay's drying properties draw impurities and waste products away from the injured area to help cleanse it, while bringing in fresh circulation and oxygen to assist healing. Keeping the skin intact is a major challenge for diabetics, who are more prone to developing skin infections, which ultimately may lead to the necessity of amputations, if not successfully controlled. Bentonite clay offers a safe and natural option for these individuals.