Bentonite Clay
Health Benefits

Bentonite Clay - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Mar 01, 2025
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Bentonite Clay Benefits

Bentonite clay, also known as Montmorillonite clay, is a natural clay with powerful healing properties. Rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, it has been used for centuries to support detoxification, improve digestion, and promote skin health. This article explores the top benefits of bentonite clay and its potential side effects.

What is Bentonite Clay?

Bentonite clay is a volcanic ash-derived natural clay known for its strong negative charge, which allows it to bind to positively charged toxins, heavy metals, and impurities. This unique property makes it highly effective in internal and external detoxification.

Top Health Benefits of Bentonite Clay

1. Detoxification & Heavy Metal Removal

Bentonite clay acts as a natural detoxifier by binding to heavy metals like lead, mercury, and aluminum, helping the body eliminate them through the digestive system.

How to Use:

  • Mix 1 teaspoon of food-grade bentonite clay with water and drink it on an empty stomach.
  • Add ½ cup of bentonite clay to warm water in a clay detox bath.

2. Supports Digestive Health

Bentonite clay can help improve digestion by reducing bloating, gas, and symptoms of indigestion. It also supports gut health by removing harmful bacteria and toxins from the digestive tract.

How to Use:

  • Consume ½ teaspoon of bentonite clay mixed with water before meals.
  • Use bentonite clay capsules as a supplement.

3. Improves Skin Health

Bentonite clay is commonly used in skincare for its oil-absorbing and antibacterial properties. It helps with acne, eczema, and psoriasis by drawing out toxins from the skin.

How to Use:

  • Make a face mask by mixing bentonite clay with water or apple cider vinegar.
  • Apply the mask for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

4. Natural Remedy for Food Poisoning

Bentonite clay binds to harmful toxins and bacteria in the stomach, helping relieve symptoms of food poisoning, diarrhea, and nausea.

How to Use:

  • Mix 1 teaspoon of food-grade bentonite clay with water and drink it as needed.

5. Boosts Oral Health

Bentonite clay is a popular ingredient in natural toothpaste and mouth rinses due to its ability to remove toxins and support oral hygiene.

How to Use:

  • Use bentonite clay powder as a natural toothpaste.
  • Make a mouth rinse by mixing ½ teaspoon of bentonite clay with water.

6. Helps Balance pH Levels

Bentonite clay has an alkalizing effect on the body, which can help reduce acidity and promote overall well-being.

Potential Side Effects of Bentonite Clay

While bentonite clay is generally safe, excessive use or improper consumption can lead to the following side effects:

1. Constipation

Bentonite clay can absorb water, which may cause constipation if not taken with sufficient fluids.

Prevention:

  • Drink plenty of water while consuming bentonite clay.
  • Start with small doses to assess tolerance.

2. Heavy Metal Contamination

Some non-food-grade bentonite clay products may contain trace amounts of lead and other heavy metals.

Prevention:

  • Only use food-grade bentonite clay for internal consumption.
  • Purchase from reputable brands that conduct purity testing.

3. Nutrient Absorption Issues

Since bentonite clay binds to toxins, excessive use may interfere with the absorption of important minerals like iron and zinc.

Prevention:

  • Take bentonite clay at least 1-2 hours apart from other supplements and medications.

4. Allergic Reactions

Although rare, some individuals may experience allergic reactions or skin irritation when using bentonite clay.

Prevention:

  • Perform a patch test before applying to large areas of skin.
  • Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

Conclusion

Bentonite clay is a powerful natural remedy with numerous health benefits, including detoxification, digestive support, and skincare improvements. However, it is essential to use it correctly and be aware of potential side effects. Always choose food-grade bentonite clay for internal use and stay hydrated while consuming it.

Have You Tried Bentonite Clay?

Share your experiences and let us know how it worked for you in the comments below!


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Burn Wound

Posted by Angela (Antwerp, Belgium) on 07/17/2011
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Ted is absolutely a genius. I really don't know where to begin about the calcium bentonite clay he suggested.

My fiance suffered a chemical burn wound years ago that resulted from exposure to Pregan Paste. After hundreds of skin grafts (and decades of suffering), the doctors could not seem to stop the burn wound from creating painful skin necrosis, over and over again. Her hand seemed to be sensitive to everything from sun to dish soap to topical ointments designed to stop burns, not create them.

Well, Ted suggested calcium bentonite clay as a topical clay paste to apply to her skin. Needless to say, we were terrified because it seemed that everything that touched her hand would cause necrosis and with every recurrence of necrosis, she risked amputation of her hand. I hate to admit that fear caused me to wait on trying this solution, but it did.

So, I opted to try it first on my acne. I have never had a chronic problem with acne, but over the last year, it had become a nighmare. Blemishes became open wounds, my face was covered in black heads and white heads. Aesthetically, it was awful. Physically, it was extremely painful.

I suppose I should have tried it in one place, but I placed 1 T. of the powder in a plastic bowl, 2 T. of water and another T. of clay on top. I did not mix it, but let it sit for 2 minutes. It formed a clay quickly and easily on its own.

I spread it all over my face and allowed it to dry. It was itchy and I could see my face turning quite red. I was a bit concerned, but trusted Ted's advice to leave it on until it dried and to apply it twice a day.

It's now been 48 hours and 6 mosquito bites disappeared from the evening before. No itching and no redness. Four significant wounds closed and I've not seen a new blemish appear, which has not been the case in months. It seems that calcium bentonite clay not only removes excess oil, dead skin cells and toxins, but also increases circulation, which speeds healing.

But what is more miraculous? My fiance's hand began to turn dark purple the same day I used the clay for the first time. This happens every few months and needless to say, we became terribly concerned. This color change usually signals the beginning stages of necrosis.

We kept an eye on it and the skin on her hand turned gray (her hand is the only place where there has been necrosis and her hand has been subject to hundreds of skin grafts and 2 skin flaps that were rejected). To say we were alarmed would be an understatement. We had to do something and do something fast. Until now, hyperbaric oxygen treatment had been our only option and it isn't easy to get an appointment within 24 hours, which is how fast we need for her to get the treatment.

Because we knew the impending future, we took a BIG chance and applied it directly to her hand. Normally, trying to put any kind of topical product yields painful, dreadful results. She gave it 30 min to an hour to dry and then we washed it off. Nervously, we checked her hand closely for the result...

Circulation returned, her hand became very red and she had no pain (usually she has a painful, tingling sensation that she describes as "something eating away at her hand from the inside"). Within an hour of washing the clay away, her normal, healthy skin color had returned and now, 24 hours later, she still has no pain and her skin is still the healthy, pink color it is supposed to be. Just one application of this simple clay, used AT HOME, kept her out of the hyperbaric chamber and more importantly, NO surgery! Necrosis reversed completely!

Ted, words really cannot express our gratitute. Calcium bentonite clay was something we'd never heard of and it has quickly begun to heal my acne, open wounds and reversed the onset of her necrosis by either removing toxins or increasing circulation, but probably the result of both.

We have decided that calcium bentonite clay is something we will always keep in the house. For bug bites, acne, wound healing, toxin removal, improvement of circulation - it's a must have for any household. It is available from many sources from the United States and around the world.

Here's to everyone's health and healing!


Asperger's Syndrome

Posted by Christine (Melbourne, Fl) on 05/25/2010
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My daughter has Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism. I gave her two "00" capsules of bentonite clay every day. She was 17 at the time. In less than a month, she had no more tactile issues (could not STAND the sensation of light touches among other tactile issues) AND had spontaneous empathy for strangers!!!! Something that does not happen with any form of autism that I know of!

The only caution is because she is a menstrating female, if she gets too much bentonite clay, she will occasionally go anemic. Iron, despite being needed by the body, is still a heavy metal. So we cut back when that happens. Now she only takes is maybe twice a week and we have not been having problems with anemia.


Detoxing

Posted by Codysmom (Alexandria, Va) on 12/31/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have been taking bentonite clay for detoxing and really love it. I tried drinking it mixed with water but couldn't stand the taste. I now eat the clay with applesauce (1-2 tsp clay with 1 cup applesauce). I have also eaten it with yogurt. I found the applesauce with clay will make you very full for several hours, almost like an appetite suppressant, which is great for those that are dieting or cutting back.


Detoxing
Posted by Matthew (Brisbane, Qld) on 09/06/2008
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Bentonite is fantastic for internal cleansing but like everything you must tailor the quantity to your own digestive system. I have been taking it for 4 years with positive results and have learned that regular intake of even a small amount is beneficial. It is a bacteriacide absorbs toxins and raises pH

Here's how I take it:

Add 1 liter of water to your blender.
Mix 100g of bentonite (approx 4 dessert spoons)
Blend for 1-2 minutes.
Pour 90% of this mix into a resealable food grade plastic or glass bottle. Discard the residue.

Now you have a smooth pourable base mixture. Add 50ml to 100ml* of this to a large glass and top with warm water. Warm water makes it easier to take. So you have a light clay drink 250ml - 300ml

Drink one glass in the morning and one afternoon or night. At least 30 - 40 minutes away from main meals.

DO NOT take it close to life sustaining medications as it could lessen the effect of the medication.

Take for a number of consecutive days. there is no magic number of days but generally it is beneficial when taken for a few days on a regular basis. It can be continuted for weeks at a time if so desired. I suggest starting at the lower level and increase if things are going ok. in other words if bowel movements become too slow or constipation occurs then cease the intake until you clear and resume if you wish.

Make sure to include plenty of fibre and water in your diet.

Personally I don't like to include psyillium husks with it. I find it a bit much for my system when combined & I get good results with the just Bentonite.

Initially it may make your bowel movement a bit sluggish or perhaps you'll eliminate later in the day but i have never experienced constipation from it as described in some posts. If you find the amount suggested above is still too much then lessen it until agreeable. it will still be working just a bit slower.

* 50ml - 100ml of this mix converts to 5 - 10gms of clay . It is not very much. The most I have taken at one time is 300ml (30gm of clay)of the mixture without diluting it. It was a bit hard to get down but I had a lot of energy all day. I have not repeated that amount as I would have to force it down and don't care to. Gentle persistence pays off.

Good Luck!