Clay has been used by Man since the beginning of time. The Greeks used it, the Romans used clay poultices to heal wounds and Cleopatra used it for beauty masks. Forgotten with the upbringing of modern medicine it is being slowly rediscovered. Despite all the controversies concerning the properties of the clay, it has been used far longer by man than modern drugs, it never required any experimentation on animals, and it is 100% natural.
According to Hippocrates, Theophrastes, Dioscorides and Galen, the Greeks made use of clays. According to Plines, the Romans used it. Avicennes favors it in his famous writings. Up to the beginning of the 20th century, the French and the Russian army used it to disinfect contaminated waters and to prevent dysentery.
Intestinal or digestive problems can be helped by taking clay internally or externally to help heal wounds. Animals know this instinctively and search for clay to heal these issues.
All clays are different as they result from a complex evolution and are very dependent of their environment. Here is a list of the most widely used French clays (easily distinguished by their colors), their properties, and what they are used for:
Green Clay: being prized by its users to exhibit great healing properties, to absorb toxins and clean the body, it is rich in minerals and gets its color from ferrous oxide (Fe++).
Illite – The most popular clay in France. Arising from the micas minerals of igneous rocks, it has a three layer structure accounting for its high absorption and adsorption properties making this variety the most efficient in natural health care both externally and internally. It has a high diversified mineral content. Montmorillonite – The second variety of green clay. Arising from the chlorite minerals of metamorphic rocks, just like the Illite, it has a three layer structure accounting for its similar properties regarding absorption and adsorption. The diversified mineral content is high. The color is of a lesser green than the Illite, due to a lesser concentration in ferrous oxide. This clay may be used internally as well as externally as well.
Red Clay: Can be found next to yellow clay and gets its color from red hematite containing ferric oxide and copper. It is a two layer structure and has one of the highest contents of Silica. There is an absence of aluminum, zing, manganese, chlorine and sodium. Due to its rich content in iron this type of clay is to be used by people deficient in iron. It is also widely used in skin care and cosmetics.
Yellow Clay: Found nearby red clay, yellow clay gets its color from a yellow-orange iron oxide and can be found on hilltops where it has been drained by rain (hence Aluminum, zinc, manganese, sodium and chlorine have been washed out). With a pH 5, a very high concentration in iron but practically no aluminum, this type of clay is recommended for bone problems and tiredness (it should be used in conjunction with green clay).
Pink Clay: It does not exist in a natural state. Pink clay is obtained by mixing red and white clay. The combined properties of both clays makes the pink clay ideal for beauty preparations. Pink clay is soft, it is recommended for sensitive skins, dehydrated skins, baby skins and facial creams. This clay is used for external purposes only.
White Clay: White clay results from the erosion of granular rocks. It is situated on sites subjected to heavy drainage by rain. White clay is a 2 layered structure with a pH of 5 and is recommended for beauty care. It is very effective with sensitive skins and is suitable for both children and adults. It is known for its healing properties with its high concentration in Aluminum and is devoid of phosphorous and chlorine.
Dr. Paul Petit is an expert on Clay Therapy in addition to a variety of natural health and beauty matters. His popular line of organic personal care products: Oblige By Nature and natural medicinal remedies under the brand name of Phybiosis, can be found in stores nationwide.