Bentonite Clay: Benefits and Uses
Summary
Bentonite clay, also known as montmorillonite, is a volcanic ash-derived clay rich in trace minerals that carries a strong negative charge when hydrated. This unique electrical property allows it to attract and bind positively charged toxins and heavy metals, making it useful for internal detoxification and topical skin applications.
Key Takeaways
- Bentonite clay is negatively charged when water is added, allowing it to act as a magnet (not a sponge) for positively charged particles — a process called adsorption
- It can attract up to 2,000 times its own weight in positively charged particles, including heavy metals and other toxins
- It is recommended during liver and kidney cleanses to safely pull toxic material out of the body
- The clay is rich in trace minerals, which can provide nutritional benefits to the body and skin
- It can be used topically as a facial mask, often combined with activated charcoal, to draw out skin toxins
- It may help with skin conditions including poison ivy, eczema, and psoriasis
Details
What Is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite clay (also called montmorillonite) originates from volcanic ash and contains a wide range of trace minerals. Its defining characteristic is the development of a strong negative electrical charge upon contact with water.
How Adsorption Works
Unlike absorption (where a substance is taken in like a sponge), adsorption describes how bentonite clay attracts particles around the outside of its molecules. Because many harmful substances — including heavy metals and environmental toxins — carry a positive charge, they are magnetically drawn to the negatively charged clay particles. This mechanism allows bentonite clay to bind an extraordinary volume of contaminants relative to its own mass.
Internal Use: Detox Cleanses
Dr. Berg recommends consuming bentonite clay during:
- Liver cleanse protocols — to capture and remove toxins mobilized during detox
- Kidney cleanse protocols — for similar binding and elimination purposes
The emphasis is on using it as a tool to safely escort toxic material out of the body once it has been mobilized.
Topical Use: Skin and Facial Applications
- Facial mask: Can be combined with activated charcoal and applied to the skin to draw out impurities
- The trace mineral content in the clay may deliver additional nutrients to the skin during topical application
- Useful for addressing localized skin issues: