Can we talk clay??

[mbravebird]

I've recently discovered the benefits of bentonite clays, and am hoping to take some for intestinal health and food reactions, as well as have some on hand for first-aid use, etc. My local store had Redmond Clay, which is a sodium bentonite, but the threads on here talk about Pascalite, a calcium bentonite, being better. Can anyone tell me why?

Also, I am wondering the best way to take it. I read all different sorts of things, from making a gel, to drinking the clay mixed with a glass of water, to mixing the clay with water then letting it sit and drinking only the clear water after the clay has settled. They also sell pills on the pascalite site, which would be great for my son. Any advice or perspective on what's best?

Thank you!

[mbravebird]

Bump!

[Koalamom]

I'm here!

[mbravebird]

Hi bluebirdmama! Have you taken bentonite clays before?

[mbravebird]

Bumpity bump!

[SandyMom]

Big thread about clay here:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1150081

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by mbravebird

Hi bluebirdmama! Have you taken bentonite clays before?

I have taken Pascalite if I feel really crappy but that is not that often. I don't know why I don't gravitate towards it as a daily supplement, but I just don't and follow those feelings. If I feel I need it, I take it.

I do brush with it though, but that is about it. And I do a face mask when I am relaxing in the epsom salt bath. Really makes my skin nice.

[kjbrown92]

Mine is bentonite clay. Can't remember the brand and I'm not home so I can't look. When my DS had cross contamination from something when we were on vacation, he screamed all night. The next day I was at Whole Foods and bought the clay. That night before bed, I gave him 1 Tbs. in about 4 oz. of water (he was almost 9yo then) and he didn't react that night (usually he reacts for 3 days/nights). Whenever he's had a reaction since, I've given it to him that night, and it makes the reactions not last quite as long (doesn't stop them from happening at all unfortunately).

[mbravebird]

Thanks, everybody. And thanks for the link to the other thread!

I still don't understand why the calcium bentonite is considered better, but at this point I'm just going to experiment and see what works best for us. We've tried the sodium bentonite (Redmond Clay), and I have ordered the Pascalite, so we'll see how it all works.

So far, I've completely neutralized a stove burn by putting the clay poultice on. It was pretty amazing! No pain at all, whatsoever, or any red marks.

And I *think* that when I give my baby scoops of the clay on my finger, his eye circles reduce or eliminate. I haven't been concerted about doing it, though, so I can't be sure.

I do wish I'd known about it when my baby swallowed my dog's blood via an engorged tick -- I'd have had him down some clay, or some activated charcoal, or both! Live and learn, I guess. I'm glad to know about this now, and will keep it always on hand, and see how it does for us as a supplement.

[mbravebird]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

And I do a face mask when I am relaxing in the epsom salt bath. Really makes my skin nice.

Love this idea! I think I need to nourish myself more, and was thinking of making myself take a bath at least weekly. A clay mask to go with it sounds both decadent and nourishing.

[mombh]

I also use the pascilite clay. I make something like a watery paste and then use 1/2 tsp or tsp either in water/juice or applesauce.
I also don't use it all the time, mostly when sick or emergencies but, i did use it for a while with my 6 yr ds who has allergies/cavaties etc; and I did see some improvements.
I just recently used it for a stomach bug we all got......
I put it in applesauce for the kids (something about the clay binding with the apple pectin to stop the runs
and it sure works

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by mbravebird

Love this idea! I think I need to nourish myself more, and was thinking of making myself take a bath at least weekly. A clay mask to go with it sounds both decadent and nourishing.

Yes mamas do so much. We need to pamper ourselves. Now the bath I take is not that relaxing. I have my 3 yr dd coming in saying "mama, what is that on your face? It doesn't look very nice." And 8 month old ds crawls in and tries to splash the water. Eventually dd climbs in, and then just recently, ds learned how to climb in/over clothed and all. What a mess. Not such a relaxing time, but it is good for the kids to get some epsom salts though.