Clay

Clay has a small diameter of less than 2 micrometers and has different quantity of structural water. Clay is formed as a result of hydrothermal activity or by the chemical weathering done by carbonic acid on silicate rocks. They are small, hydrophilic, plastic and flaky or layered. Clay is recommended for diarrhea, treatment for constipation, cholera, foul breath, diarrhea from infections and dysentery. Clay is easily molded, when wet, due to its plasticity.

When dry, it becomes firm and non-pliable and on firing, permanent physical and chemical reactions result, which converts the clay into a ceramic material and hence it is used for making ethnic and day-to-day use pottery items. The color of clay varies from dull grey to reddish orange. In combination with various minerals, clay produces stoneware, earthenware and porcelain. Clay is also used in the production of cement, paper and chemical filtering in the industrial level. Art materials, pots, bricks and musical instruments are the others.

Its preliminary effect is to adjust and aid a fit bowel. The surface area of clay is greater and consists principally of a negative electrical charge. It has the capacity to exclusively bring toxins out of the bowel, accumulated for a long time and has a remedial effect. It will also eliminate venomous substance from leaves and other foods, and is therefore primarily used by animals. This is attributed to the positive charge of the toxins, which gets bound to the predominantly negative charges of clay, thereby initiating a detoxification cycle, devoid of any stress in the bowel.

Recommendation of clay by mouth is minimal. Many of the clay preparations are analogous to kaolin, utilized in diarrhea treatment. Risks and problems associated with clay usage are lead poisoning and block of intestine. Mercuric chloride poisoning is treated by clay lozenges, though the problems accompanied by clay contaminants are present. Clay provides relief from aflatoxins, by binding to them in animals. Aflatoxins are fungal invasion of peanuts and are caused by Aspergillus flavus. There is not enough scientific proof to indicate safety of clay utilization. There is not adequate scientific evidence to recommend safe usage of clay in children.

Clay eating has a direct relation with lead poisoning in infants, children, and in carrying women, and is referred to as ‘pica’ or ‘geophagia’. The associated risks are low red blood cell count and (CNS) central nervous system damage. Products manufactured with clay comprises of different contaminants or pollutants, such as, barium, aluminum, barium, titanium and nickel. Heightened levels of a chemical component, 2, 3, 7, 8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin is seen in animals consuming a clay diet.

Submitted on January 16, 2014