Drinking dirt might seem like a funny way to cleanse and detoxify the body, but it's a method that has been used for centuries to treat illness and promote well being. Bentonite was first identified in cretaceous rocks in Fort Benton, Wyoming, but it can be found in many parts of the world. A diluted form of bentonite made for drinking is renowned for the powerful minerals it contains and for its ability to absorb and eliminate harmful toxins in the body.
Consult with a physician before using bentonite to self-treat any medical condition.
Toxin Absorption
Toxins, like chemicals and pesticides, enter the body through the foods we eat, habits such as drinking and smoking, pollution in the air we breathe and through chemical products we use around the house. These toxins can be dangerous to the gentle equilibrium of our system and can cause digestive disorders and disease. According to Perry Arledge, author of the book "Living Clay", drinking a liquid bentonite solution is effective because of its ability to attract toxins in the gastrointestinal tract. This may be because toxins in our body are positively charged, while the ions in bentonite clay are negatively charged, thus causing the opposites to attract. Bentonite clay cannot be absorbed by the body so it is completely discharged during elimination, taking its booty of toxins with it. No studies could be found to support these claims.
Parasite Removal
Parasites are harmful living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment--found in the foods we eat, the soil in which those foods are grown, and on the surfaces on our homes, schools and offices, according to the Boston Children's Hospital website. AboutClay.com, an informational website on the healing properties of clay, states that "parasitic infection is often the undiagnosed root of many physical problems". Colon cleansing with bentonite clay is thought to kill and remove parasitic organisms in two ways: First by stimulating the gall bladder to produce bile, creating a bilious environment in which it is difficult for parasites to live; second, by attracting the parasites, which eat clay, and carrying them out of the body through elimination. No studies could be found to support these claims.
Restoration of Good Bacteria
Both good and bad bacteria live in the intestinal tract. The good bacteria, called probiotics, help strengthen the body's immunity to gastrointestinal diseases and create a healthy environment for digestive processes. Bad bacteria enter the system through the foods we eat and the air we breathe and wreak havoc on the digestive system. When too much bad bacteria collects in the digestive system, it can kill off the good bacteria, upsetting the digestive equilibrium and creating the perfect setting for digestive disorders. According to Perry Arledge, regular detoxification with bentonite clay helps absorb and remove the bad bacteria, restoring this essential equilibrium, however no studies could be found to support this claim.
References
- Living Clay: Living Clay Book Excerpts
- NaturalNews.com: Bentonite Clay Provides a Safe and Effective Detox
- Children's Hospital Boston: Viruses, Bacteria and Parasites in the Digestive Tract
- The Christian Post: 'Good' Bacteria Help Keep Your Digestive Tract Running Smoothly
- AboutClay.com: Clay Uses - Parasite Removal
