Clay Applications
Inside the body, clay detoxifies, cleanses, drains, and balances the pH and the intestinal flora. It is not absorbed by the body, but communicates with it by exchanging cations (positively charged ions) and removing toxins. On the outside, clay reduces inflammation, drains infections, removes contaminates, cleanses and protects the skin. It is used for facials, poultices, enemas, douches, body wraps and baths.
For minor concerns just rub on a thin layer of clay and let it dry. The clay will only act if wet - once it dries it is done with its work. However there’s no harm leaving it on. For major issues one uses a poultice by spreading the clay on a wet, white cotton sheet washed in borax, cut to fit the area to be covered, with some overage. The thicker the layer the longer it can be left on the skin. Whereas a facial type application is about 1/4 inch thick, a poultice can be from 1/2 to 1 inch thick.
Apply the poultice directly on the skin. Optionally this can then be covered using cut up plastic zippered bags with no color or smell. Lastly it is wrapped with Velcro strips or Ace bandages to keep it in place or even an old piece of clothing; for instance socks for feet, t-shirt for chest etc.
A poultice is generally left on for at least 4 hours, or for as long as possible, changing it a minimum of 2 times per day and/or leaving it on all night. A facial takes about 20 minutes to dry however a thick poultice should not dry. For areas that are sore one may have to get creative to make a kind of moat around the area with rolled up cloth and then fill it in with clay and then wrap so that there is no pressure on it.
SAFETY
If one uses an edible clay that has been assayed and determined to be food grade it means that the structure of the clay is such that toxic minerals like aluminum, are not deposited in the body. Rather the clay acts like a truck moving through the body collecting toxins.
If a clay were not of that specific structure then toxic metals could be deposited in the body which is why one does not want just any clay. There are so many clays on the market that do not have the activity or the palatability to be effective or have not been assayed for purity. Yet even in safe effective clay there is a warning on the assay reports that says to never inhale the dry powdered form.
Also it is suggested to not mix clay with other substances unless very confident of research. For instance people have had skin burns by mixing DMSO with clay. And some substances may render the clay ineffective. In addition clay might interfere with medication and it is suggested to separate it by 3 hours, yet one must be advised to consult their doctor.
Clay is said to be alive. If clay gel is not refrigerated, it will begin to attract the bacteria in any air pockets and after several months tiny white mold spots will appear. One must also keep the jar lid closed tightly or it will dry out. Once dry, clay is rendered ineffective. Just add water to reconstitute.
According to the research of Dr. Hulda Clark and others, the HDPE container is the safest to use for food storage as it does not leach contaminants into the food like other plastic and even glass materials. I like to reuse the container for storing everything from food to nuts and bolts.
Some eat clay everyday and are dedicated enthusiasts of the protocol. I think of clay as more medicinal. If I had something I was fighting I would take it everyday until I was well. For maintenance I take a heaping tablespoon morning, noon and night for 30 days 2 times per year. While on a diet I use that same formula to clean up toxins released by the fat cells. Sometimes when I feel a need for an anti-parasite program, I'll take it for a few weeks.
TIMING
There cannot be an exact formula for how long to take clay or how long to leave it on the body or how often to use it. Each person has unique requirements and challenges as they listen and respond to what they sense their body needs. A general guideline is to leave clay on as long as possible until healed. For some that would be all night and with reapplying fresh clay in the morning.
Yet often 20 minutes is all that’s needed for a small cut or slight itch and so it's just left on until it dries. For any areas which would be too sensitive to let clay dry, such as an open wound, one must keep it moist. At first the time may be short intervals because of a tingling or strange drawing sensation. Reapplying many fresh applications can help get through a difficult time. Dr. Petit says that 2-3 days and nights of constant clay poultices should be enough to begin seeing the drawing action.
REMOVAL
To remove the clay use either a warm wash cloth or a shower or a bath and gently rub off the clay. To make clay removal easier, in certain cases it may be advantageous to shave a particular area where you are planning to do repeated applications. Make sure that you keep the water as hot as possible for the duration of a bath so that toxins do not reabsorb into the body as the water cools. If you use large amounts of clay, make sure to not let them go down the drain.
USING CLAY GEL
SHAMPOO I cover the whole head evenly which requires one big glob in the palm of my hand or 1/2 cup for my shoulder length hair. I feel no need for a second washing or any conditioner. I use it as a “brain mask” each week by leaving it on for 5-30 minutes and sitting in the sun whenever possible, usually doing my face mask at the same time, and then wash it out in a hot clay bath. It is advised to shower afterward but I just rub down with a fresh towel yet - I would shower if ill.
SOAP I’ve always felt like soaps clogged my pores rather than cleaning them and since clay draws outward, it can’t be clogging and additionally is anti-bacterial. Plus it feels so silky.
TOOTHPASTE A dab on the toothbrush works great. Sometimes at night when I just don’t want to face the whole flossing, sonicating and hydro flossing ordeal, I rub clay around the base of my teeth at the gum line. Then I just leave it to dissolve through the night. I have one crevice that when I didn’t do my nightly routine it would smell of clostridium bacteria. But when I at least rubbed that one spot with clay there was no smell in the morning! Sometimes I put a spoonful in my mouth and just go to bed. Most clays taste repulsive to me. This clay is pleasantly tasteless. Once when I had a nodule in my throat I would lay down each night and put a teaspoon in my mouth which when I swallowed while laying down, would just stay right there in my throat until morning. It worked great.
MOUTH WASH Put a dab in the mouth and add a little water and swish until smooth.
FACIAL MASQUE Apply to face and neck 1/4 inch thick and leave on till dry then wash with warm water. It is advised to not do the sensitive area around the eyes. But sometimes when I have had an eye irritation I put clay in the inner corner on the outside of the eye lid.
SALVE FOR BITES CUTS BURNS INFECTIONS Gently pat on area the moment after impact of bump, bruise, cut, bite, scrape etc. For open wounds and burns do not let the clay dry - place a damp cloth over the clay to keep moist.
LUXURIOUS LUBRICANT I have met too many massage therapists who have had immune problems from all the oils etc used for their work. Clay is wonderfully silky and one can keep a spray bottle to moisten the clay when needed.
SHAVING CREAM Tap the razor on tissue paper so as to not clog the sink. Works great for shaving a bald head.
COLON CLEANSER Cleansing can begin with a teaspoon to a heaping tablespoon taken with lots of water morning and night one hour before or after meals and increased as desired. I like to lick the clay off a regular heaping tablespoon in about 3 parts and take a mouthful of water to swallow each like it’s a soft pill. Then I follow that with two cups of water. If one prefers drinking it just drop the tablespoon full in the blender with a cup of water and quickly blend for 2 seconds. The thick magma is said to be the best way to intake clay yet I say however we can manage it. If too much mucous, blemishes, etc are expelled it may be preferable to cut back a little. For detox programs I take several tablespoons many times a day. For indigestion or food allergic reaction, I take after meals. Clay is used for cases of poisoning and given every 15 minutes - so whenever I have an allergic reaction to some food product, in my mind it is the same as poison to my body and so I take the clay using that formula, until the symptoms subside.
STAIN REMOVER I took my husbands old favorite light blue denim shirt that had accumulated oil marks that he had reluctantly given up on after trying all kinds of stain removers. I rubbed clay on the spots and left it to dry in the sun and then scrubbed it out. I was surprised and he was impressed that it came clean!
PAIN RELIEVER For headaches rub on temples and/or neck or shoulders and at the same time take a tablespoon with 2 cups of water. For toothache take internally and pack gum area and so on for each area. In his article about CTS and using clay, Paul R. Martin writes "Anything which will promote circulation, help to relieve inflammation, aid in removal of local toxins, and soothe irritated muscles and tendons will also help Carpal Tunnel Syndrome." (Neuro Diagnostics, McHenry Illinois)
HAIR MOUSSE One can make some wild hair dos with clay! The first perms actually used clay. However to maintain my shine I use it sparingly or up under the hair so that when the clay dries it does not dull the shine.
BODY WRAP Use at least a quart of clay to apply 1/4 inch and then wrap in sheets along with Velcro strips, Ace bandages or clothing to hold in place. One can also use plastic wrap over the cloth. I like to put clay all over and just lay in the sun. Make sure to protect your drains from clumps of clay.
FOOT WRAP I put 1/2 inch clay in the shape of my feet on two cloths, wrap the whole foot, put them in plastic bags, then in old socks and leave it on for the night. If one has to get up in the night – it’s a little like walking on snow!
DISH SOAP I use water but sometimes with a greasy dish the clay helps. I often coat the sponge and cutting board at night with clay.
TONE DOWN SILVER TO GOLD HAIR COLOR If you left it on too long, immediately apply clay for 5-30 minutes.
Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only with no intention to give advice that should be sought from a licensed health professional
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