The following bits of research and information were gathered by Perry A~, author of Calcium Bentonite Clay, Nature's Pathway to Healing, in an attempt to explain many of the mysteries about clay and why its workings are so hard to define and understand.  The simple response is this: Clay is a Living substance and is subject to constant change. Its primary functions are to adsorb, absorb and balance. As it goes about its primary functions, it opens the pathway for healing and the natural restoration of health. The references below apply to the Smectite/Montmorillonite family of clays commonly known as calcium Bentonite clays, that have the ability to both absorb and adsorb.

Disease happens when the body gets out of balance. Clay helps bring the body back into its natural state of balance. 

Clay is formed from ash spewed from a volcanic eruption which landed in an inland sea or lake bed and evolved over millions of years. Every piece of clay retains a considerable amount of energy from the large and powerful magnetic entity of the Earth.  Raymond Dextreit says on the subject, "Among the properties to which we can attribute the effect of clay is radioactivity." Not radioactivity as we know it. He says that clay is radioactive to a degree but this radioactivity is generally imperceptible to the testing apparatus used in laboratories at present.  Scientists differ widely as to the significance of the radioactivity in clay. It seems that clay has, among other properties, the ability to either stimulate a deficiency or absorb an excess in the radioactivity of the body on which it is applied. On an organism which has suffered and still retains the radiations of radium or any other intensive radioactive source, the radioactivity is first enhanced and then absorbed. Clay could, in this way, ensure the protection of an organism overexposed to atomic radiations.

Through energetic action clay transmits an extraordinary strength to an organism and helps to rebuild vital potential through liberation of the latent energy.  It is a catalyst more than an agent. As a catalyst, clay favors the transformations and operations of synthesis, thus allowing better use of the absorbed elements, i.e. vitamins and minerals we take or get from the food we eat. As a powerful agent of stimulation, transformation and transmission of energy, clay stimulates energy and revitalizes the body

One can only marvel at what clay can do.  "The same teaspoon of clay can cure an obstinate carbuncle and tenacious anemia equally well. Curing the carbuncle is explained by clay's absorbent power, but anemia?!"  questioned Raymond Dextreit, author of Our Earth, Our Cure.  Well, it seems that clay is particularly rich in certain diastases and enzymes. Some of these diastases, the oxidases, have the power of fixing free oxygen, thus making it a powerful antioxidant.

Clay's amazing abilities to adsorb and absorb make it one of the most powerful methods of cleansing the body by detoxing.  Michel Abehsera, author of The Healing Clay, tells us that when used internally, whether taken orally, anally or vaginally, clay goes to the place where the harm is found.  There it lodges, perhaps for several days, until finally it draws out the toxins or diseased tissue with its evacuation.

Clay has high alkaline pH.  Acidity is the breeding ground for disease.  Clay brings pH into balance.

Clay is a natural analgesic.  It immediately reduces or eliminates pain when applied topically.

Clay stimulates lymphatic glands, blood flow and circulation.  A natural chelator and detoxifier, clay pulls toxins and impurities. French homeopaths documented that a system-wide detoxification effect occurs within seconds of placing Montmorillonite-type clay in the mouth, which demonstrates that the clay acts as a catalyst.

A recent article tells us that clay baths have become increasing popular as a safe and effective means of detoxing heavy metals from the body through the pores of the skin.  

One of clay's peculiarities is based on its physical-chemical domination. From a thermodynamic point of view, clay cannot be the sole source of the energy of the phenomena it produces. Clay's effect as a dynamic presence is far more significant than the mere consideration of the substances it contains.  It is much more than its chemical analysis shows it to be.  Jason Eaton of Eytons Earth) said, "In fact, I do not believe it is possible for a clay bath to LITERALLY pull out toxins in the body; not to the extent that it does.  I believe that the clay reaction enables the body itself to let go of the toxic waste accumulated, and the clay provides the path to elimination."

Louis Kervran, the French scientist, world-famous for his provocative work on Biological Transmutations, writes about a shrimp that lives in clay: "It has been known for a long time that living organisms inhabit clay without any organic supply of food from the outside. The Niphargus shrimp lives in the clay of caves. Experiments have shown that it grows normally in pure clay to which nothing has been added. Research workers therefore thought that the shrimp lived on clay and nothing but clay, an impossibility according to the laws of biochemistry. Actually, it cannot live thus in clay alone, but this clay contains microorganisms which work for the shrimp, making vitamins, various mineral products, nitrogen, phosphorous, and calcium, etc."  Therefore clay is a live medium which helps generate and maintain life. 

Raymond Dextreit wrote he was certain of the antiseptic and antibiotic powers of clay but it puzzled him.  Clay does not act specifically on one or several bacteria varieties; rather it prevents their proliferation by reinforcing the defenses of the organism.  Thus again we see how clay brings the body into balance.

In general, clay has remarkable resistance to chemical agents and only the most energetic ones can attack it. As a bacteria-absorbing agent it can render contaminated water innocuous.  The nutritionist Linda Clark mentions in her recent book, The Best of Linda Clark, that a European doctor, Meyer-Camberg, recommends clay for neutralizing poisons. According to Dr. Meyer-Camberg, clay takes care of any bad poisoning such as arsenic. It suffices to take 1 teaspoonful of clay mixed in a glass of water every hour for six hours to be out of trouble.

According to information found at Shirley's Wellness Cafe, myths about clay and the elements that make up a clay molecule are rampant.  One deals with aluminum.  Clay is a super stable compound. All of the elements that make up clay are bound together and act as a whole.  Alumino silicates are crystalline compounds, usually made up of silicon, aluminum and oxygen. They are tightly bound together. As long as the aluminum is bound in this form, it poses no health risk. The aluminum in clay is never in an isolated form, and is not adsorbed into the body. This refers to all metals in clay.  They are in an oxide form tightly bound together.

Clay is interactive with each person's individual specific chemical makeup.  It adapts to your needs.  As the Native American Indians said of clay, "It has a wisdom of its own." From helping to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic germs and parasites to aiding with rebuilding of healthy tissues and cells, clay is a "living" cure.

Perry A~ Arledge is the author of Calcium Bentonite Clay Nature's Pathway to Healing (www.TheClayBook.com) and numerous clay articles (www.BentoniteClayInfo.com). She is a frequent guest on health talk radio shows. She is dedicated to spreading the word about clay's healing potential and putting attention on safe healing with Bentonite Clay.  She is available for lectures, radio interviews, and answering questions on clay therapy. Perry A~ can be reached at 1-512-773-0335 and perrya@perrya.com. © 2015 Perry A~