Beauty (and not so beautiful) uses for Bentonite!

What is bentonite??? The below information was taken from the Bulk Herb Store...

Bentonite Clay:
Bentonite clay has been gaining popularity in resent years as an internal and external cleanser for very good reasons. However with every good page of research there are ten more pages of nonsense, so we have worked hard to bring you the best information and the finest product on the market.
Why our Bentonite Clay?
Not all Bentonite Clay is created equal, most of it is not mined for internal use or sifted as finely as it should be. But here at the Bulk Herb Store we carefully select Bentonite Clay that is unsurpassed in purity, quality and is mined with only stainless steel equipment to keep it from adsorbing heavy metals while it is being harvested. Our Bentonite clay is a naturally forming clay (not processed) and all Bentonite, is made of minerals that are a part of the smectite class of clays. Bentonite clay is primarily composed of the mineral, montmorillonite which, if it contains sodium as an exchangeable ion, can swell up to six times its size when wet; this makes it the most adsorbent and absorbent of all the clays. Calcium Bentonite clay is only slightly swelling or non-swelling this allows the clay (if it is as finely sifted as ours) to pass uninhibited through the colon wall, were it will go on to clean the blood and give vital minerals to the bones. Our clay is a natural mix of both sodium and calcium Bentonite, this will allow it to do twice as much as either one by itself.
How It Works:
Bentonite Clay is a very unique substance, formed primarily of Montmorillonite, which is an extremely flat crystal flake, that carries a relatively strong negative ionic charge. The negative charge is compensated for by adsorbing a cation (either Sodium or Calcium) to the interior of the molecule, this is what makes it either Sodium Bentonite or Calcium Bentonite Clay. To put it another way think of the Montmorillonite crystal flake resembling two pieces of bread, with a strong vacuum pulling the lunch meat in between them, whatever lands there (Sodium or Calcium) determines what kind of sandwich it will be. Now when you activate this clay sandwich it will magnetically grab the junk in your body (heavy metals, toxins, acid, etc.…) and trade them for the” lunch meat” taking the toxins out in your waste. The two different clays although very similar in their inert state (dry) have very different applications when activated (mixed with water).
Sodium Bentonite
The Sodium Bentonite has the highest Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and the higher the CEC of the clay the stronger the negative charge. This means that Sodium Montmorillonite has a stronger vacuum for pulling in heavy metals and toxins that it comes into contact with. Furthermore the Sodium Bentonite swells more giving it the ability to adsorb and absorb more toxins pulling them into the interior layers of the clay and carrying the them out of the body through the feces. In order to enhance this process we have put together a herbal mix called Detox+
Calcium Bentonite:
Calcium Bentonite does not swell as much as Sodium Bentonite and while that makes it less effective as a detoxing agent it is more effective as a remineralizer. Because it dose not swell as much, Calcium Bentonite will have some tiny particles small enough to pass through the colon wall into the bloodstream. There it will scavenge out toxins and leave behind vital minerals. Montmorillonite is a Silica based mineral and it is silica that allows calcium to pass through the outer portion of the bone to the interior where it is most needed.
Bentonite Clay and your pH Balance
Another factor that makes Bentonite Clay Powder so indispensable is it’s ability to elevate your body’s pH. The Bentonite will absorb some of the hydrogen from your cells enabling them to fill that space with the oxygen you so dearly need.
Bentonite Clay and wildlife:
Peruvian Macaws seem to somehow know the benefits of Bentonite clay. Macaws are entirely dependent upon wild fruit for there main source of food, but at certain times of the year only poisonous fruit is available. So they will fly to the nearest clay lick and eat the clay in the morning which will adsorb the alkaloid toxins found in the poisonous fruit they eat during the day. Its highest power lies in the ability to absorb toxins, impurities, heavy metals and other internal contaminants. Bentonite clay's structure assists it in attracting and soaking up poisons on its exterior wall and then slowly drawing them into the interior center of the clay where they are held in a sort of repository. To state it another way, Bentonite is swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound.
Bentonite Clay Toothpaste:
We at the Bulk Herb Store, decided to make an all natural, organic, toothpaste that would neutralize acid, remove bacteria filled organic mater, leach out infection and promote healthy gums. And we did just that! Check out our Bentonite Clay Toothpaste
Bentonite Clay Mask:
A clay mask made from Bentonite draws excess oils and debris to the surface of your skin, boosts circulation to tighten the skin and stimulate blood flow, and whisks away dead skin cells that can clog pores.
Bentonite Clay for skin irritation:
To control itching: A simple “mud pack” made with bentonite clay powder and enough water to create a thick goo can help control the itch and dry up blisters, herbalists say. Spread the clay over the affected area and let air dry. Keep it on until the clay wears off or gets itchy. Wash off the residue.
For first-aid: To make a healing pack, mix Bentonite clay powder or baking soda and oatmeal with water and an anti-infection herb (such as garlic, thyme, or calendula) or an herbal tincture. Apply to pimples, boils, or wounds.


Now, I could have said most of that, but it sure is easier to copy and paste!! LOL!

I have been experimenting with bentonite, using it in different scenarios and such. Every night for the past three weeks I have been making a bentonite clay mask. I don't use water and facial soaps to clean my face, instead I use raw coconut oil to clean off makeup and dirt. After I've cleaned my face thoroughly, I make a paste (very thick) of bentonite clay, homemade vinegar or raw yogurt. I stir these ingredients together in a plastic bowl with a plastic spoon. Using ANYTHING metal will immediately activate the bentonite and cause it to clump up. Believe me, you will NOT be able to use it if you use metal...lol!
After everything is mixed into a nice smooth paste, I apply it to the clean skin and let it stay there until completely dried. After it's dried, I rinse clean with lukewarm water and wipe off with paper towels. I then apply organic flaxseed oil and massage well. Your face will be slightly red, but that's ok! The bentonite stimulates blood flow to the surface of your skin causing it to look like you just went running for three hours! That's a good thing though because the extra blood stimulation to face brings oxygen and healing properties to the face causing it to repair itself, detoxify, and shed old skin cells.

You will awake the next day to a face that feels so fresh and new! You've got to try it!

I also take bentonite periodically for metal detoxification since we live in an environment that is NOT sympathetic to our desire to refrain from ingesting metals and chemicals:-) It's also a good thing to use for a few days after you've used paints, carpet cleaners, or any other type of harsh chemical to help your body expel those toxins.

The best use for bentonite though happens to be for instances relating to pesky insects and bugs that like to bite or sting you! My 6 year old went outside to play with her older sister by the woodpile today and was taking some wood off to "build something creative" when she, very unknowingly, dropped a piece of wood on what I'm assuming was the entrance hole to a yellow jacket nest:-) Thankfully, she only came away with two stings, but if you've ever been stung by one, one sting feels like a million wasp stings. She came hollering into the house and I immediately made a paste of bentonite and homemade vinegar, applied it to the stings, and covered it lightly with gauze, and applied an ice pack. Within 20 minutes, the swelling was almost gone and she was back to her normal self and was trying to get the bandages off because they "were bothering her":-) I asked her if the stings still hurt, and she said "not really!" I'm so glad I have this stuff!!!  Excessive stings can cause severe allergic reactions in just about everybody, so this is a must have for your household medicine cabinet.

Now, being slathered in greenish gray clay is not the most beautiful thing in the world, but whether you use it on your face or use it to heal a sting or bite, the results are always beautiful! So, get yourself some and try something new! I promise, you won't be disappointed!
 I always buy mine from the www.bulkherbstore.com and I've never been disappointed with any product I've ever bought and I've been buying there for about six years!
Have a blessed day!