Clay History
Since the beginning of earth’s history we find the use of clay as a natural way to
treat wounds. Perhaps clay was the first natural remedy used by man to solve many
of his physical problems. Even today when we look at animal habits, by observation,
we can see that when they are wounded they search for muddy or dusty places to
go there and recover from wounds. The elephants in Africa take a mud bath to get
rid of parasites and to refresh them. The ancient Egyptians used clay to mummify
the bodies and also to preserve food (animal origin). In America the natives used to
bury their sick people in a hole with clay. They were left there for several hours.
Hippocrates (460-377 AC) the Greek physician who is considered “The Father of
Medicine”, taught his disciples how to use clay to treat the human body in
different situations. Avicenna (980-1037), Arabic physician refers to the use of
clay.
Since the beginning of the Christian Age we can find references to a place called
“Lemnos” (mod. Limnos Greek: Λήμνος), where the ancient Greek doctors went to
treat their patients and they classified this dust, the dust of Lemnos, as having
extraordinary healing power. Lemnian Earth a species of earth of a yellowish-gray
color, found in the island of Lemnos, said to cure the bites of serpents and other
wounds. It was called terra sigillata, because the priest sealed it before being
vended.
Simplified geological map of Lemnos shows the site of Hephaestias. Altered
volcanic rocks near Kotsinas are the most likely source of the medicinal earth.
In the year AD 167, Galen traveled to Lemnos to establish on his own accord the
medicinal usefulness of Lemnian Earth and returned to Rome with twenty thousand
sphragides (little stamped pellets) for his own private patients.
The ‘sealed’ Lemnian Earth (sphragis) was an absorbent plastic clay amenable to
‘stamping’ which also contained an active ‘medicinal’ ingredient, probably an
antibacterial and astringent alum group salt of the type used in modern
pharmaceutical applications.
The priestess a Hephaestus performing the ritual of ‘sealing’ of the Lemnian
sphragis, as observed by Galen.
By R. A. Thom (after R.H.S. Robertson 1986)
Medicinal Properties of Clay
The study of nature is exceedingly marvelous and rewarding, for it reveals many
simple means for restoring and maintaining good health. Unfortunately people who
search for complicated and expensive ones generally neglect the most beneficial
and simple natural remedies.
In this modern age, many are becoming familiar with the healing properties of
various foods, herbs, water, fresh air, exercise, sunshine, temperance and trust in
God, but as of yet, very few know about the wonders of the earth itself. Since the
miracle of clay is a healing phenomenon, relatively unknown, it seems indispensable
to begin with a few words about the properties of the clay and its uses.
Clay’s Properties
It would be presumptuous to explain precisely and concretely the basic action of
the clay. We cannot always penetrate “nature’s secrets”; we must simply use them.
Not everything has a scientific explanation; there is a place for faith in this
procedure.
One of the greatest clay properties is the absorption power. Clay has an
extraordinary absorbent power. Clay has a unique power to attract impurities and
toxins from the human body, simply because clay is electro negative and the
impurities and toxins are electro positive. In addition, clay provides your body with
trace minerals that penetrate your skin and enter your blood stream. This occurs
with the application of a poultice- externally. When clay is taken internally it is
directed immediately to the places that needs to be repaired, it seems that some
internal program is guiding it. We have to remember that God made man from the
dust of the earth. Gen. 2:7. When clay is placed inside of the human body, clay
knows exactly where to go to fix problems. Remedies provided by the Creator are
simple, effective and harmless. The Creator has provided nature with solutions to
recover us not to destroy. “Nothing should be put into the human system that will
leave a baleful influence behind” Letter 59, 1898 E. G. White
Clay is a “living” beneficial substance that provides the human body with vital
energy. Clay is a part of us.
In addition to being absorbent clay is also adsorbent, which means “to accumulate
on the surface”, the toxins are drawn to the clay and then stick to the clay to be
removed from the body.
The more we expose clay to the sunshine, air and rainwater, the more powerful it
becomes.
Clay Actions
When it is used externally, clay may be applied in several different forms, such as:
poultices, compresses, cataplasms, powder (sprinkled) and baths.
Clay is antiseptic (prevents decay or putrefaction), cicatrizing (promotes fast
healing), anti-inflammatory (relieves and prevents inflammation), anti-carcinogen
(cleans cancer cells), emollient (softens and soothes the skin), refrigerant (cools
and reduces body heat) and cosmetic (improves skin’s texture).
Taken internally clay is a powerful detoxifier, especially the Bentonite Clay, it can
absorb heavy metals such as: mercury, arsenic, lead and tin. Clay also provides you
with minerals and trace minerals. Clay has colloidal properties that eliminate toxins
and harmful substances from your body.
Choosing the Right Clay
There are many varieties of clay with different colors depending on the type of
soil (chemical composition). For instance we have green, white, gray, yellow, red,
blue, black and pink. These are the most common on the market.
Usually we recommend the French Green Clay to apply externally and also to take
internally, but we also use the white clay referred to as Bentonite Clay for the
heavy metals detoxifying program. Red clay seems to be very efficient for facial
purifying mask, depending on the type of skin you have. You can always mix any kind
of clay with herbs, juices (fruit or vegetables), extracts and olive oil to improve
the performance and the action of the clay.
How to Prepare the Clay
Prepare clay in a deep bowl. Use a container made of glass, porcelain or wood but
never a metallic one (aluminum, copper, iron).
Fill the bowl with distilled water and sprinkle the clay powder until you get a
homogeneous paste, not very concentrated. Let the clay set for 2 hours. Handle it
as little as possible, do not stir the clay.
External Application
With a wooden spoon, or your bare hand, spread an even layer of clay over the area
to be treated. The thickness may vary from ¼ inch to 1 inch. Do not smooth the
surface; clay settles naturally when put into place. Wrap with a light cloth bandage.
When placed on an inflamed organ, abscess, or another purulent sore the clay must
be cover with a cabbage/lettuce leaf to slow down its drying process. If the area
to be treated is on either side of the body, like the kidneys, first the clay may be
spread onto a cloth and then placed on the affected area. Let the clay work for 2
hours. After 2 hours, remove the clay with lukewarm water and repeat the
application. Do at least 3 applications daily; never use the same clay twice. After
the poultice is removed, discard the clay. For efficient action, it is necessary to
place the clay directly onto the body. If you are treating an ulcer or an open sore,
it must be placed directly on the flesh.
Beauty Facial mask
For a beauty facial mask apply the clay directly on the skin ¼ to 1 inch thick and
put a cabbage leaf or lettuce leaf on top of the clay to keep the clay moist. Let the
clay work on your face for 35 minutes. After clean the clay and wash you face with
lukewarm water. You can apply a facial mask to your every day during one week. You
can repeat the same every month. To increase the power of the clay you can
prepare the clay with Calendula powder. Calendula contains natural collagen.
Precautions with clay
Applications should only occur at least two hours before or two hours after meals.
When treating an abscess or purulent ulcer, change the application every hour.
However, if the application dries in a half an hour, take it off without waiting the
entire hour.
Avoid abdominal applications when menstruating and all applications during
pregnancy.
NEVER allow the clay to dry on the skin.
Internal Use
Put ¼ of a teaspoon of clay in a glass with 4 oz. of distilled water. Prepare the clay
in the evening and let the clay set overnight. Drink the water in the morning 1 hour
before breakfast. The clay will settle to the bottom of the glass, for the 1st week
only drink the water that has separated from the clay. The 2nd and 3rd weeks
swirl the mix in the cup and drink the water and clay together; after 21 days rest
for 7 days. Repeat: Drink the clay mix for another 21 days then rest 7 days.
Repeat one last time for a period of 21 days.
Observations
With every natural remedy either helping directly to rebuild the organism or to
liberate and eliminate the substances that harm it, there is always the possibility
of disagreeable reactions. You must not be afraid of these reactions; on the
contrary they are desirable, for they are indications that the body is responding
positively.
You may notice a variance in the clay temperature while on your body. Clay’s
temperature is decided by the specific problem.