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Sarah (Los Angeles, Ca) on 01/22/2010
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OK- I THINK i had a severe reaction to bentonite clay... I was starting a cleanse 2 days ago- so had only juiced and eaten brown rice that day... I had some Bentonite I use for baths, ( I think it's the sodium one- but the person I bought it from claims he takes a tablespoon of it every day w/ no problems)and in the evening as an afterthought I added about 2 tsps. to my protein shake... it made it really thick so I added more water. I downed it and in about 3 hours I came down with the worst stomach cramping, diharea and vomiting I have EVER experienced... I mean tore-the-toiletpaper-holder-off-the-wall violent puking!!! It lasted for about 6 hours that severe- with a fever the entire time. The vomiting/ diharea subsided but my fever remained the rest of the day... am wondering if anyone has any ideas if this could've been severe detoxing, or reaction to the clay or stomach virus coincidence? I called poison control and they scared me to death about possibly rupturing my intestines, so I went to the DR the next afternoon and he basically sent me home with no advice (waste of $!!).

I am weak 2 days later and am still waiting on a bowel movement of any kind...? any input appreciated...

Replied By Sarah (La, Ca) on 01/28/2010

OK- update... I am now wondering if it might have been a gallbladder or pancreatitis attack? Either that or Norovirus ( saw on the news was going around)... but I'm wondering if the clay could stimulate a gallbladder/ liver cleanse that would give symptoms like what I experienced...

Replied By Bella2718 (Richmond, Virginia) on 03/02/2010

You used the incorrect form of bentonite clay. There are two types of bentonite clay, sodium and calcium. Sodium Bentonite clay should not be used for internal use because of its extreme swelling properties and it is geared towards commercial use. Calicium bentonite clay is the form that is used for internal use. It absorbs but at a lesser degree vs. sodium. Calcium bentonite is not used in industrial applications.

Replied By Rsw (Canton, Oh) on 11/08/2011

I took it last week, 1 tablespoonful, and had the exact reaction! I bought it already mixed in a bottle with directions to take it by mouth. I apparently doesn't agree with some people because I rarely get sick, much less to that degree. I might put it in my bath but no more ingesting it for me.

Replied By Karen (Australia) on 04/12/2023
I know this is an old post, but may I give some sound advice for anyone reading this thread?

Whenever starting something natural like Bentonite Clay, first make sure you have the correct form, then start dosing with 1/4 recommended dose and work your way up slowly to the recommended dose.
Remember that recommended dose is just that, its a recommendation. So start slow and gradual and be conscious of any side effects, good or bad, then adjust accordingly. Find the right dose for your individual needs and responses.

Good luck

Replied By Jesse (Washington, Dc) on 06/20/2012

From what I believe I have learned, some of you are wrong. The two types of clay are both ingestible. The Sodium is best because it absorbs the most toxins. The Calcium is not so good because it won't absorb much but I have seen it stated that the Calcium is better suited to enter your blood stream and cleanse that part of your body. So they both have a purpose. When people have problems it is proably because:

1.They aren't using food grade clay.

2.They are using too much to start off with.

3.They are using Sodium clay, which expands a lot, and not giving it eough time to absorb water and expand fully before drinking.

4. They aren't drinking lots of water after ingestion like recomended.

Try mixing it with water and letting it sit for hours before drinking. Afterwards drink a whole bunch of water.

Replied By Mark (Exeter, United Kingdom) on 08/23/2015

I disagree, the sodium clay is used in industrial applications mainly as a swimming pool additive, it has microscopic sharp spikes that if ingested is dangerous, the calcium clay is not microscopically sharp like the sodium.

The sodium clay used as a insect killer works by scratching cuts all over the insect including fleas which then prevents water holding in their bodies so they dehydrate and die without possible rehydration due to the spikes puncturing them full of holes.

I have been frantically warned from every store I brought from NOT to confuse with the pool grade sodium, if inhaled will cause respitory problems due to the micro spikes damaging yr airways. So stick with calcium clay and research difference between sodium and calcium clay.

Mark

Replied By Bunty (South Africa) on 10/19/2021
I don't know if anyone pointed this out, but it sounds as if you're confusing Bentonite Clay with Diatomaceous Earth. The latter has many tiny sharp edges that you described. Bentonite Clay does not have these.

Replied By MTCO (Australia) on 05/20/2023
Right on, Bunty. sodium bentonite clay is NOT like diatomaceous earth which the previous post was describing. DE is very dangerous to breathe, etc, but SB clay is naturally safe. of course, don't go breathing it in deliberately or it will dry up your nose haha. I have been using this clay for over three years now, on teeth, skin, hair, eyes and it is wonderful stuff. It soothes any burn instantly too. I burnt my hand with a splash of very hot oil the other night. Straight under the cold water tap for a minute, then I rushed to the bathroom and made up some sloppy sodium bentonite clay. I spread it onto my hand and then slipped a soft latex glove over it, then shoved more sloppy clay around the burn area. Pain gone instantly, and three hours later I pulled the glove off. no burn or redness at all!

Replied By Mark (Exeter, United Kingdom) on 08/23/2015

Found a link.

http://earthslivingclay.com/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-calcium-bentonite-and-sodium-bentonite-clay-can-both-be-used-internally-as-a-detoxifier/

Seems that sodium clay can be used in the bath as a soak but not for internal use.

Calcium clay is microscopicly rectangular in shape whist sodium clay is microscopically pyramid shaped, spikes I mentioned in previous post is when the pyramids clump together.

Mark

Replied By Anne (Canada) on 01/16/2016

Yes. The calcium one is for digestion, not the sodium one.

Replied By Laurie (Hermosa) on 02/20/2016

There are several type of bentonite clay. If you are using it internally you must use the calcium bentonite clay. Typically bath clay is mostly sodium bentonite clay and is not the same. if you meant tablespoons ouch!!

Replied By Lisa (Carpentersville, Il Usa) on 12/05/2016

Mark from the UK you are thinking of Diatomaceous Earth, not Bentonite Clay which is a swelling clay. Calcium is for internal and Sodium is external. Drink plenty of water when taken internally. You start with a small amount to see how you react. Too much and you can have a severe detox reaction. When using the clay do not use metal spoons or bowls as the clay will absorb the metal and become ineffective.

Replied By Deborah (Michigan) on 09/03/2020

You have to start out slow. You took too much and had a severe detox reaction. Should also be taken with fiber. If no BM, take magnesium.

Replied By RayB (San Francisco, Ca) on 03/22/2024

It sounds like you had those severe issues because you took the type of bentonite clay you are not supposed to ingest, sodium bentonite clay is not safe for ingestion. Only Calcium bentonite clay for ingesting.

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