As I have written about before, toxins are a part of all facets of our lives. They are in our food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.  Though we have systems in our bodies to rid ourselves of toxins, (kidneys, liver, colon) there are so many more in our environment than ever before.  This overload of toxins in our bodies can be a major trigger for so many illnesses and even cancer. It is incredibly helpful to our bodies when we do things to help detox on a regular basis.

I have written about my detox journey in the past, but I have not mentioned one pretty simple detox treatment that can be as simple as taking a bath!

Bentonite Clay is one of many gems provided by mother nature.  Clays like bentonite have a high concentration of minerals including silica, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, and potassium that can absorb and remove toxins like heavy metals and other chemicals.   The name Bentonite comes from the largest known deposit of the clay from Fort Benton in Montana.

This clay has a light gray/cream color, is odorless, and is a very soft/fine powder that does not stain and is easy to work with. When bentonite clay comes in contact with water, it becomes negatively charged which binds to the positive charge in toxins and heavy metals.  The skin is also able to absorb the minerals in the clay which are essential minerals for our bodies.

Common external uses (though some forms are known to be helpful for internal use but we won’t be talking about that here) for bentonite clay can include:

• On the skin as a poultice for bug bites, blemishes, skin irritations, and sun burns.

• In a detox bath: combining ¼ to a full cup of clay to a warm bath… I would recommend you read the instructions on your product as this can vary by brand.

• Face mask using clay and a bit of water to make a paste.  Apply to your face and leave on to dry for up to 20 minutes, then rinse with water.

• Armpit detox: this seriously works!  Combine clay with some apple cider vinegar to make a paste.  Apply to armpits for up to 15-20 minutes.  This detoxes bacteria and toxins and can make your armpits MUCH less smelly and your natural deodorant will work MUCH better.

• For mastitis: I have read that a poultice with clay and water can be applied to the breast to help detox and reapplied every hour till the infection is gone.  

Note: because of the magnetic properties of bentonite clay, it is not recommended to use a metal bowl or spoon as it can reduce the effectiveness.

My favorite brand of bentonite clay is from Environmedica which is meant only for external use and we even have some bags in the office.  If you have ever needed an excuse to take a nice warm bath here it is.  I have personally used this clay for the bath, face mask, and the armpit detox with great results.

Healthy lifestyle habits don’t have to be hard, and can even be an indulgence.  If you are new to the detox thing, I’d highly recommend this as your first step.