
Bentonite’s properties range from healing and medicinal to significant in construction and wine making. Learn about how bentonite is no ordinary substance, where its made of great use in varied instances.
Bentonite is derived from the word ‘montmorillonite’, which is the active mineral in clay with medicinal properties. It comes from the city Montmorillon, France, where it was first known. There are many ways in which bentonite aids the human system. It was first discovered when tribes used the clay while they ate, giving them relief from stomach aches.
How to Use Bentonite
Bentonite is versatile in nature and finds itself not pertaining to any one kind of use. Here’s how you can use bentonite for everyday purposes.
Medicinal Uses
Bentonite clay in its liquid state when taken, cleanses the intestines, eliminating the presence of toxins. It does not get digested by the body, and therefore passes through the system. On absorption of water, bentonite clay swells up and can be stretched, mimicking a porous sponge. The toxins are attracted to the electrical charges of the clay, and are therefore trapped within it. It can also be used as an anti-irritant lotion for eczema (skin inflammation), heavy metal poisoning, and also in products like baby powder, mud packs, and some face creams. You can also drink bentonite clay mixtures to cleanse the colon. It will sufficiently help in cleaning out your intestines and act as a gastrointestinal regulator. It even helps those suffering from diarrhea. Other problems it benefits include constipation, bloating, stomach cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, and gas.
Sodium Bentonite
It acts as a natural sealant for city landfills, recreational ponds, sewage lagoons and hole plugs to control the presence of dust on highways. It is a low-cost method for treating porous soils and is very useful in sealing toxic waste lagoons, including oil wells. The uses of bentonite are effective because of their no additive, no chemical, and non-toxic nature. To avoid the seeping of hazardous chemicals into ground water, bentonite is used to line landfills and waste disposal sites. It is environmentally friendly and is also used as part of building construction.
Calcium Bentonite
Calcium bentonite can be used for internal and external purposes.
Internal Use | External Use |
Used in oral concoctions for detoxifying one’s system―when mucus and gas becomes evident, it is a sign that the detox plan is working. | Can be applied on aching joints and muscular pains as a reliever. It is done by mixing the clay with water and applying the paste to the infected area. |
Can be used to clean the intestinal tracts of any clog related problems. It acts as a cleanser as mentioned before. | A natural bleaching agent present in bentonite makes it ideal for facial use. It aids problems of pigmentation and acne. It refreshes one’s skin while also making it look younger and cleaner. |
It is advisable to go on a detoxifying plan that includes water, veggies and fruits to avoid any of the side effects of bentonite. Also include sunflower and olive oil in your diet. All these dietary habits promote the flow of bile. | Known to have a therapeutic effect, bentonite can be used to make body wraps. It can be made by including seaweed in the mixture. It is placed on a blanket-like sheet that can be wrapped around the body. A clay mask for the face can also be made from this mineral. |
– | Can also be used for teeth cleaning, teeth bleaching, plaque removal/avoidance, mouth ulcers, athlete’s foot, eczema, sores, and wounds. |
Bentonite in Winemaking
There are many things that go into the art of winemaking, especially for those who attempt at making it at home. The involvement of bentonite in winemaking is to preserve the flavor of wine, to reduce oxidation, and to cancel off yeast presence after fermentation. It is easy to use; one can use a blender to mix bentonite with water until it takes on a thick drink-like texture. Then it is stirred into the wine once the fermentation process is complete. When clarifying wine (removing any impurities or solids present), you should reduce the temperature of the wine before you add the bentonite; the lower the temperature, the more efficient the bentonite. Do not overdo the mixing, or it’ll disturb the wine’s properties; stir the wine once every hour or so when the bentonite saturated slurry is added. Bentonite is also used to clarify red wines apart from white ones. Another important step in winemaking is racking (removing sediments from the wine), which is important to do before and after adding the bentonite.
Bentonite isn’t restricted to only a few ways of using its many properties. Its presence is found from within our homes and construction sites to even wineries worldwide. It’s a much-functional mineral that proves to be quite the savior when it comes to various uses.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.