Cleanser: Bentonite Clay

 

What is it?
Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays used to treat both internal and external maladies. Bentonite can be used externally as a clay poultice, mud pack or in the bath and, in skin care recipes. Internally it can be added to water or glazed upon food to help those with sensitive palates. A good quality Bentonite should be a grey/cream color and anything bordering "pure white" is suspect. It has a very fine, velveteen feel and is odorless and non-staining. The type of bentonite offered by Mountain Rose herbs is a Sodium Bentonite.

Specifications
Color- Light gray to off-white
Odor- Flat

Mineral Content
Silica- 61.4%
Aluminum- 18.1%
Iron- 3.5%
Sodium- 2.3%
Magnesium- 1.7%
Calcium- 0.04%
Titanium- 0.02%
Potassium- 0.01%
Moisture- 7.8%
pH - 8.3 - 9.1

Where does it come from?
Bentonite clay is sedimentary clay composed of weathered and aged volcanic ash. The largest and most active deposits come from Wyoming and Montana. (Mountain Rose Herbs stocks a Wyoming variety).

How is it manufactured?
Bentonite is usually quarry mined from deposits that can range anywhere from 100 feet to several thousand feet. This depends on the health and vitality of the land it is processed from and how far a producer will go to find the right clay with the proper characteristics and consistency.
From here it is mined from the earth and brought out into the sun to remove excess water and moisture and, to make it easier to work with. After the initial drying begins the final transformation. It gets processed (ground) with huge hydraulic crushers and it then goes through the final process of micronization, or "fine granulating". This is usually done with the assistance of sophisticated and expensive granulators. Upon completion of this final process it gets inspected by a quality control team and is sent off for consumer use.

Origin- Wyoming/USA
Extraction- 100% naturally occurring and naturally quarry mined
Shelf life- Indefinite (4-5 years recommended)
Other Common Names- Sodium Bentonite, Sodium Montmorillonite, Wyoming Bentonite.

How does it work?
Bentonite is very unusual in the fact that once it becomes hydrated, the electrical and molecular components of the clay rapidly change and produce an "electrical charge". Its highest power lies in the ability to absorb toxins, impurities, heavy metals and other internal contaminants. Bentonite clay's structure assists it in attracting and soaking up poisons on its exterior wall and then slowly draw them into the interior center of the clay where it is held in a sort of repository.
To state it another way…
"Bentonite is a swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound.

 

My First Bentonite Clay Hair Treatment
This is how and what I used to mix my ‘Bentonite Clay Treatment’.

  

 

 

 

 

 

I use between 2-3 of those green scoop, to ensure I got a good coverage of the clay treatment from scalp to the ends of my hair.

 

 

 

 

 

After I mix up the clay and water, I then section my dry hair into four sections and begin to apply to each section one at a time. Pinning up each section as I complete applying the clay.

This is the results of applying the clay from root to ends.

I then cover my hair with a shower steam cap and left the clay on for about 2hrs, the shower steam cap helps along with my body heat to keep the clay moist and to help with penetration of the clay into my scalp and hair.

The other benefits of steam shower cap is help to prevent the clay form drying and become hard, YOU DO NOT WANT THE CLAY  to dry and become hard on your hair.

The RESULTS was very nice, my hair felt clean, as for my scalp I am not sure that it cleansed it as I would have liked it to. Also the clay had made my hair felt an odd way, not as in BAD, but odd. I honestly can not find a word to describe it lol I have only done this treatment once so far and I do like it and plane to order some more of the ‘bentonite clay’ for future treatments. I will give future updates as to when I attempted another treatment and the results. I will also ensure I take a lot more pictures and better ones too.  

S.N. I had  some of the bentonite clay left and I have been using it on my face and skin and the results are awesome. It make my face and skin ever so smooth. It like I went to  a spa, instead I did it at home. I like the results I got from this clay so far BUT I have another clay in my arsenal to test out which RHASSOUL/GHASSOUL CLAY. When I do then I will make my final judgement. Watch the space for the final verdict!

Rate: 4.5/5

Price: £0.75 for 100g @ https://www.soapkitchenonline.co.uk     Or     £1.50 for 50g @ http://www.akuawood.co.uk