(Not A Complete List)

• Well-regulated bowels 
• Relief from constipation or diarrhoea   
• Elimination of indigestion
• Elimination of Ulcers
• Improved digestion of food
• Improved physical energy and stamina
• Reduction of various aches and pains
• Clearer skin (also makes an excellent face mask)
• Whiter and brighter eyes
• Improved alertness and clear-headedness
• Emotional uplift, with less tension
• Enhanced growth and tissue repair of gums and skin
• Improved immune system
• Improved nutritional status
• Detoxification of toxins (a) those absorbed from food and the environment such as pesticides and heavy metals (b) Toxins produced by a body as the result of incomplete digestion (enzyme deficiency) and faulty or incomplete metabolism, e.g. under functioning and or over loaded liver.

Animals and people have consumed clay and enjoyed its unique health benefits since the beginning of mammalian life on this planet and continue today. However for 'civilised' peoples the practice of clay consumption has been almost forgotten.

Clay is taken for it's therapeutic benefits by adding about one heaped teaspoon of clay (preferably very fine green clay) to a glass of water once or twice a day and is not at all unpleasant to consume. For best results, take for 3 weeks on and one week off and may be taken for days, weeks, months or even years.

Its initial effects are to help regulate and aid a healthy bowel. Clay does this by having a huge surface area of particles that have pre-dominantly a negative electrical charge. This negative charge in itself is healing and claming but more specifically attracts toxins out of the bowel will that may have built up over many years. It will also remove toxic material from leaves and other foods eaten, and in this respect is used mainly by animals. Toxins are associated with positive charges, so the predominantly negative charges of clay attracts these positive charges to itself and initiates a cycle of detoxification, without stress in the bowel, and quite remarkably any where in the body. It also provides a mixture of many minerals and trace elements and in combination with its minute crystalline structure provides a healthy energy and nutritional input. With these three main qualities of clay many health issues can be greatly improved or even eliminated.

For irregular bowel action whether overactive (too loose), or for constipation it tends to have a rapid normalising effect. For very hard impacted faeces, a very common complaint, that may have been in the entire length of the bowel for many years.  Combine one heaped teaspoon of clay with two heaped teaspoons of psyllium husks (and preferably a good probiotic such as Primebiotic and Barley Grass Juice Powder) and take in a pint of water twice daily, three weeks on, one week off for one or two months and periodically if required (Usually without the need for psyllium husks).   The old hardened material is flushed from the bowel/colon leading to better long-term health and improvement of assimilation of nutrients. Clay should not be taken on it's own or taken under guidance only when there has been serious long-term constipation; Taking with the above mixture for bowel cleansing would seem sensible in this situation.

Clay can have surprising benefits over and above, stress free detoxification.  If your immune system tends to be overactive and you become easily over-stimulated by other remedies designed to help detoxify, then clay is the remedy of choice since it works primarily by removing the 'angry', toxic positively charged particles from the body, so tends to calm down a hyper-state, allergic or overactive immune system.   Paradoxically clay can induce energy into the system, the effect of this is to help balance the immune system so that it is able to function correctly without either under-functioning or attacking ones own body (allergic reaction, auto-immune disorders) The result is often to restore lost vitality and strength that has been caused by acute or chronic illness or just plain chronic toxicity.

The effects of clay are varied and broad, and one is constantly surprised at how individuals benefit in unexpected ways.   A person may take clay to help improve energy, but finds that as an added benefit eyesight improved. Someone else took clay to help with bowels and also had improved energy. On a friend's recommendation who told me how 5 days of clay use eliminated her asthma, I myself took clay to clear out asthma.  I had been greatly helped by the Asthma And Bronchitis Herbal Formulation and the Clay did eliminate the final symptoms of asthma.  I had been ill for 2 months eating little and was physically weak. Within 3 days of clay consumption I regained 70% of my former strength and was able to easily walk up hills again or run up stairs.

Clay - A Natural Remedy For Many Conditions

Clay alone will not always resolve these conditions, it is advised you educate yourself to other treatment methodologies and remedies for your condition, some of these will combine well with the action of clay.

• Any gastrointestinal disorder - including the most serious such as Crohn's Disease.  If you sufferer from Crohn's disease it is important to check for food intolerances, IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome see also Barley Grass Juice powder and Primebiotic). Bad breath, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Diarrhoea from infections, even cholera and dysentery (take clay more frequently with acute infectious bowel disorders)
• Pregnancy - To help avoid morning sickness, a traditional supplement to promote the health of the foetus, and hence help produce a healthy baby.
• Nausea and vomiting especially due to food poisoning.
• Intestinal Parasites - Also other parasites throughout the body. Take for some time, so that off-spring of the parasites from developing eggs are also eliminated.
• Poisoning can also be greatly alleviated with clay; the clay should be taken one teaspoon in water every one or two hours up to 48 hours after ingestion.
• Ulcers - In Russia Smectite Clay, such as Ultra fine Green Clay has been used as a therapy for stomach ulcer. The action is two fold, firstly clay helps to neutralise excess stomach acid, and secondly it provides elements to promote healing of the ulcer. One teaspoon of clay in water twice daily and when an aggravation occurs. Combine with Aloe Vera for long-term curative results.
• Allergies, hay fever and asthma - These conditions can be ameliorated or eliminated entirely with clay, depending on the individual patient. Partly as clay can absorb allergens and histamines.
• Acne, eczema, itching, hives. Clay can help to reduce these conditions, but as with all other health issues look to a holistic nutritional programme - skin disorders are often linked to a toxic bowel, so again Prime Directive, Barley grass juice powder and Zell Oxygen are indicated.
• Prostrate problems
• Arthritis and rheumatic symptoms
• Chronic fatigue syndrome, also see Zell-Oxygen
• Gum disease
• Gingivitis and Pyorrhea
• Headaches
• Syphilis 

Guidelines for Use

Generally it is best to take clay (always in at least a glass of water) on an empty stomach, e.g. first thing in the morning or at least half an hour before breakfast and on retiring. If this is not convenient, at least 1? hours after a meal.

For a fuller discussion of clay related to the above conditions please obtain the book from 'The Clay Cure' by Ran Knishinsky ISBN 0-89281-775-5.  Another excellent Book on The Health Benefits of Clay, and related health issues is 'The Earth On Which We Live' By Marijke Vogel ISBN 0-9540-6930-7 (Available from Regenerative Nutrition)

Disclaimer: Regenerative Nutrition advocates a holistic approach to natural health and wellbeing.   The body's ability and power to heal depends upon the totality of diet, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors.  No claims for the cure of any disease is intended, or implied.  Always consult a health care practitioner when combating disease states.   The FDA has not approved the statements in this article