CLAY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

Overview

Clay is a type of fine-grained rock or soil. Some types of clay are used to make medicine.

People use clay for diarrhea and other stomach disorders, mouth sores, detoxification, and other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

How does it work ?

Clay might bind to certain metals and prevent them from being absorbed by the stomach and intestines. This might help treat or prevent poisoning due to toxic metals such as mercury. Clay might also protect cells in the intestines by covering them.

Clay might bind to certain metals and prevent them from being absorbed by the stomach and intestines. This might help treat or prevent poisoning due to toxic metals such as mercury. Clay might also protect cells in the intestines by covering them.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Diarrhea caused by rotavirus. Taking clay by mouth seems to reduce the duration of acute diarrhea by about 1 day in infants and children. It might also increase the number of children cured by day 3. In most studies, acute diarrhea was caused by rotavirus.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Diarrhea caused by cancer drug treatment. Taking clay by mouth doesn't seem to improve symptoms in people with diarrhea caused by cancer drug treatment. But the results from this study are unreliable due to the low rate of severe diarrhea the occurred during the study. The low rate of severe diarrhea may have caused to study to be too small to determine differences between the treatment and control group.
  • A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Some early research suggests that taking a type of clay by mouth for 8 weeks improves pain, discomfort, and bloating in people with IBS who have diarrhea. Other research suggests that taking another form of clay improves pain and discomfort in people with IBS in which the major symptom is constipation but not diarrhea. However, some research suggests that clay is less effective than a product containing karaya gum at improving pain and intestine function in people with IBS.
  • Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis). Applying a cream containing clay and a form of iodine to sores inside the mouth seems to help sores heal faster. It's unclear if this benefit is due to clay, iodine, or the combination.
  • Nausea.
  • Poisoning.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of clay for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Clay is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for a short period of time. It has been safely used in doses up to 3 grams daily for 3 months or 4 grams daily for 6 weeks. Side effects are usually mild but may include constipation, vomiting, or diarrhea. Clay is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth for a long period of time. Eating clay long-term can cause low levels of potassium and iron. It might also cause lead poisoning, muscle weakness, intestinal blockage, skin sores, or breathing problems.

When applied to the skin: Clay is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin inside the mouth. A clay called dioctahedral smectite 12 grams daily has been used safely in the mouth as a cream for 5 days.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Clay is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for a short period of time. It has been safely used in doses up to 3 grams daily for 3 months or 4 grams daily for 6 weeks. Side effects are usually mild but may include constipation, vomiting, or diarrhea. Clay is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth for a long period of time. Eating clay long-term can cause low levels of potassium and iron. It might also cause lead poisoning, muscle weakness, intestinal blockage, skin sores, or breathing problems.

When applied to the skin: Clay is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin inside the mouth. A clay called dioctahedral smectite 12 grams daily has been used safely in the mouth as a cream for 5 days. Pregnancy: Clay is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for pregnant women when taken by mouth for a long time. Taking clay by mouth while pregnant might increase the risk of high blood pressure or swelling. There isn't enough reliable information to know if clay is safe to use short-term when pregnant.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if clay is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Clay is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, short-term. A type of clay called calcium montmorillonite seems to be safe for children ages 3-9 years when taken in doses up to 1.5 grams daily for 2 weeks. Another type of clay called dioctahedral smectite seems to be safe when taken for up to 6 days in doses of 6 grams daily by infants up to 12 months old and 12 grams daily by children 12 months and older.

Anemia: Clay might interfere with iron absorption and worsen this condition.

Low potassium levels (hypokalemia): Clay might lower potassium levels and make this condition worse.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Cimetidine (Tagamet) interacts with CLAY

    Clay might lower the absorption of cimetidine (Tagamet). This might decrease the effects of cimetidine.

  • Quinine interacts with CLAY

    Taking clay along with quinine might reduce the amount of quinine the body absorbs. This might decrease the effects of quinine.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:

  • For diarrhea caused by a rotavirus: Clay has been given to infants and children daily for up to 6 days or until recovery. The most common doses used are 1.5 grams for infants up to 12 months old and 3 grams for infants 12 months and older. Doses are given up to four times daily.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circ*mstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

CLAY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of clay? ›

Clay is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth for a long period of time. Eating clay long-term can cause low levels of potassium and iron. It might also cause lead poisoning, muscle weakness, intestinal blockage, skin sores, or breathing problems.

What are five uses of clay? ›

Clays are used for making pottery, both utilitarian and decorative, and construction products, such as bricks, walls, and floor tiles. Different types of clay, when used with different minerals and firing conditions, are used to produce earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.

What is the purpose of clay treatment? ›

Treating oily skin and acne

The clay may help remove sebum, or oil, from the skin's surface, and it may have a calming effect on inflamed breakouts. A clay face mask may help remove impurities from the skin to reduce the risk of pimples and skin infections.

What is Nakumatt clay used for? ›

This is edible clay and used for detoxification , and as soil manure.

Does bentonite clay detox the liver? ›

Draws Toxins from Your Liver

Due to the use of ingredients where the aflatoxins grow. In high enough quantities, aflatoxins can damage your liver. Fortunately, bentonite clay actually binds to aflatoxins and expels them from your liver and body.

How to drink bentonite clay for detox? ›

Add half a teaspoon of Bentonite clay to a glass of water, ensuring that you stir well, and drink straight away before it 'sets'. Alternatively, add half a teaspoon to a teaspoon to a bottle of water for a nutrient boost when you're on the go. Just make sure to give your bottle a good shake before drinking!

What are the benefits of clay? ›

Bentonite Clay Health Benefits. Bentonite clay is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It also has trace minerals like calcium, iron, copper, and zinc. Some people eat it to get these nutrients.

What is the enemy of clay? ›

PLASTER IS THE ENEMY OF FIRING. It is most important that small pieces of plaster do not make their way into recycled clay because they will explode/spit out in the kiln once heated causing disastrous effects on pottery.

Why is clay useful to us? ›

Clay is an important part of soil because it contains nutrients that are essential to plant growth. Another way to use clay is through sculpting. One property of clay is plasticity. This means that you can stretch out the clay without it breaking or tearing.

Is clay good for healing? ›

Clay neutralizes pathogenic microbes, bacteria and virus but doesn't disturb the natural balance of friendly germs indispensable for our good health. We can apply a clay poultice on infected wounds. If a wound is seeping, you can pour some dry clay powder* on it several times a day until seeping stops.

Does clay remove bacteria? ›

A new discovery by Arizona State University (ASU) scientists shows that two specific metallic elements in the right kinds of clay can kill disease-causing bacteria that infect humans and animals.

What is clay for medical use? ›

Bentonite-type clay has been used to treat infections, indigestion, and other medical problems by both applying wet clay topically to the skin as a poultice, and by ingesting it. Bentonite has been prescribed as a bulk laxative, and it is also used as a base for many dermatologic formulas.

What is the health benefit of white clay? ›

White clay is suitable for all skin types, and its pH (acidity level) is similar to that of our skin. We explain everything it can do on our face: It regulates the skin's sebum and unclogs pores. Its regenerative power gives an instant lifting effect to our face.

What are the benefits of calcium clay? ›

This clay has a unique composition and can absorb “negatively charged” toxins. People have been using calcium bentonite clay for centuries as a way to detoxify the body, improve digestion, improve skin tone, and more.

What is Bhutado clay? ›

Naturally this clay is grey in color but roasting process gives it black and grey color combination. This clay is heavily used in detoxification and as a natural fertilizer as it contains iron and calcium. There are many names of this clay like Bhutdo, Khadi, Bhutado, Mitti, Butter Grey Roasted and many more.

What are the disadvantages of clay? ›

A handful of damp clay will retain the impression of your fingers and may appear shiny on the surface. Disadvantages: When wet they are sticky and hard to work, and when dry they set hard and crack. They are prone to waterlogging and tend to warm up later in the spring than more open sandy soils.

What toxins are in clay? ›

Antimony, barium, cobalt, lead, lithium, manganese, and vanadium colorant compounds are highly toxic by inhalation. Antimony, arsenic, chromium, vanadium, and nickel compounds are moderately toxic by skin contact. Free silica occur in many of the clays, plant ash, flint, quartz feldspars, talcs, etc.

What are the negative effects of clay soil? ›

Generally, soils that contain greater than 30% clay are considered unacceptable as topsoil material because soils with high clay content slow water infiltration and air penetration. Clay soils can be difficult for roots to penetrate, and can be very hard for gardeners to cultivate.

What does clay do to your skin? ›

Types of clay

White clay regenerates the skin cells, prevents skin ageing, improves the structure of the skin and enhances elasticity. It is ideal for all skin types (including sensitive skin). Green clay is highly valued for its mineral content and anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and balancing properties.

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