Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksBenefitsHow to UseRisks
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Benefits
How to Use
Risks
Bentonite clay is a natural supplement traditionally used to detox the liver and treat gastrointestinal problems, like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and bloating.
Once in the body, bentonite is thought to bind to toxins in the digestive tract and inactivate them. Bentonite clay absorbs water easily. When consumed, it can help draw water into the intestines to improve digestion. When applied to the skin, it may also improveacne.
Despite many anecdotal reports of its effectiveness, very few scientific studies have investigated the health benefits of bentonite clay. As such, there are no official recommendations for bentonite uses or dosages.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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How Bentonite Clay Works
Bentonite is a type of highly absorbent clay made from volcanic ash. The name “bentonite” comes from Fort Benton, Wyoming, a town where the largest sources of bentonite clay are found.
Bentonite clay’s proposed health benefits are due to its absorbent properties:
Bentonite clay is rich in several minerals, including silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. These minerals may contribute to its healing properties.
Benefits of Bentonite Clay
Bentonite has been used for the following purposes:
How to Use Bentonite Clay
To use bentonite clay on your skin:
Keep in mind that bentonite clay is not a replacement for prescribed medications or other medical treatments. Consult with a healthcare provider if you wish to use bentonite clay regularly, or have any questions or concerns about its use.
What Is Food Grade Bentonite Clay?
Risks of Bentonite Clay
Ingesting bentonite clay with plenty of water can help relieve constipation. However, if you do not drink enough water with bentonite clay, the clay’s absorbent properties can result in constipation or intestinal obstruction. Be sure to drink ample water when consuming bentonite clay.
Pregnant or nursing women and older adults should avoid bentonite. Bentonite should not be taken two hours before or after medication or nutritional supplements.
It’s important to note that supplements haven’t been tested for safety, and dietary supplements in general are largely unregulated. In some cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the specified amount for each herb. In other cases, the product may be contaminated with other substances, such as metals, including lead.
Also, the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established.
Summary
Bentonite is a mineral-rich clay that comes from volcanic ash. It has traditionally been used to detox the liver, treat skin lesions, and relieve constipation, bloating, and other symptoms of irritable bowel disease. Its use in alternative medicine is widespread, but its benefits have yet to be proven in human studies.
It’s important to note that self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. If you’re considering using bentonite for any health purpose, be sure to consult your physician first.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moosavi M.Bentonite clay as a natural remedy: A brief review.Iran J Public Health. 2017 Sep;46(9):1176–1183.Littman E, Winningham N, Carson T, Hidalgo I.Black seed oil, bentonite clay, and probiotics: A comprehensive holistic cure forClostridium difficileinfection in a 2-year-old female child.Case Rep Infect Dis. 2022 May;2022(1):2002488. doi:10.1155/2022/2002488Abduljauwad S, Ahmed H, Moy V.Melanoma treatment via non-specific adhesion of cancer cells using charged nano-clays in pre-clinical studies.Sci Rep. 2021 Feb;11(1):2737. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82441-8FDA.FDA warns consumers not to use “Best Bentonite Clay.”Additional ReadingAbdel-Wahhab MA, Nada SA, Farag IM, et al. Potential Protective Effect of HSCAS and Bentonite Against Dietary Aflatoxicosis in Rat: With Special Reference to Chromosomal Aberrations. Nat Toxins.1998; 6:211-218.PDR Health. Bentonite.Santurio JM, Mallmann CA, Rosa AP, et al. Effect of Sodium Bentonite on the Performance and Blood Variables of Broiler Chickens Intoxicated With Aflatoxins. Br Poult Sci. 1999; 40:115-119.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moosavi M.Bentonite clay as a natural remedy: A brief review.Iran J Public Health. 2017 Sep;46(9):1176–1183.Littman E, Winningham N, Carson T, Hidalgo I.Black seed oil, bentonite clay, and probiotics: A comprehensive holistic cure forClostridium difficileinfection in a 2-year-old female child.Case Rep Infect Dis. 2022 May;2022(1):2002488. doi:10.1155/2022/2002488Abduljauwad S, Ahmed H, Moy V.Melanoma treatment via non-specific adhesion of cancer cells using charged nano-clays in pre-clinical studies.Sci Rep. 2021 Feb;11(1):2737. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82441-8FDA.FDA warns consumers not to use “Best Bentonite Clay.”Additional ReadingAbdel-Wahhab MA, Nada SA, Farag IM, et al. Potential Protective Effect of HSCAS and Bentonite Against Dietary Aflatoxicosis in Rat: With Special Reference to Chromosomal Aberrations. Nat Toxins.1998; 6:211-218.PDR Health. Bentonite.Santurio JM, Mallmann CA, Rosa AP, et al. Effect of Sodium Bentonite on the Performance and Blood Variables of Broiler Chickens Intoxicated With Aflatoxins. Br Poult Sci. 1999; 40:115-119.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Moosavi M.Bentonite clay as a natural remedy: A brief review.Iran J Public Health. 2017 Sep;46(9):1176–1183.Littman E, Winningham N, Carson T, Hidalgo I.Black seed oil, bentonite clay, and probiotics: A comprehensive holistic cure forClostridium difficileinfection in a 2-year-old female child.Case Rep Infect Dis. 2022 May;2022(1):2002488. doi:10.1155/2022/2002488Abduljauwad S, Ahmed H, Moy V.Melanoma treatment via non-specific adhesion of cancer cells using charged nano-clays in pre-clinical studies.Sci Rep. 2021 Feb;11(1):2737. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82441-8FDA.FDA warns consumers not to use “Best Bentonite Clay.”
Moosavi M.Bentonite clay as a natural remedy: A brief review.Iran J Public Health. 2017 Sep;46(9):1176–1183.
Littman E, Winningham N, Carson T, Hidalgo I.Black seed oil, bentonite clay, and probiotics: A comprehensive holistic cure forClostridium difficileinfection in a 2-year-old female child.Case Rep Infect Dis. 2022 May;2022(1):2002488. doi:10.1155/2022/2002488
Abduljauwad S, Ahmed H, Moy V.Melanoma treatment via non-specific adhesion of cancer cells using charged nano-clays in pre-clinical studies.Sci Rep. 2021 Feb;11(1):2737. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82441-8
FDA.FDA warns consumers not to use “Best Bentonite Clay.”
Abdel-Wahhab MA, Nada SA, Farag IM, et al. Potential Protective Effect of HSCAS and Bentonite Against Dietary Aflatoxicosis in Rat: With Special Reference to Chromosomal Aberrations. Nat Toxins.1998; 6:211-218.PDR Health. Bentonite.Santurio JM, Mallmann CA, Rosa AP, et al. Effect of Sodium Bentonite on the Performance and Blood Variables of Broiler Chickens Intoxicated With Aflatoxins. Br Poult Sci. 1999; 40:115-119.
Abdel-Wahhab MA, Nada SA, Farag IM, et al. Potential Protective Effect of HSCAS and Bentonite Against Dietary Aflatoxicosis in Rat: With Special Reference to Chromosomal Aberrations. Nat Toxins.1998; 6:211-218.
PDR Health. Bentonite.
Santurio JM, Mallmann CA, Rosa AP, et al. Effect of Sodium Bentonite on the Performance and Blood Variables of Broiler Chickens Intoxicated With Aflatoxins. Br Poult Sci. 1999; 40:115-119.
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