is an old “Home Remedy” that generations of people have used for a variety of ailments. Redmond Clay’s origins are as old as the practice of putting a mud poultice on a bee sting. Geologically, Redmond Clay is volcanic ash that was deposited in sea water approximately 150 million years ago. Technically, Redmond Clay is a swelling-type sodium bentonite. Redmond Minerals brings this "clay of a thousand uses" to market in its natural state with no additives, chemicals or preservatives. The only processing it undergoes is crushing and screening.
Since there are no proven studies to indicate that Redmond Clay is effective in curing any ailment, this document serves only as an educational example of how Redmond Clay has been used historically.
What is Redmond Clay?
Millions of years ago, long before modern pollutants contaminated the Earth, a range of volcanoes eruptedâ€”sending volcanic ash into the water of the ancient Sundance Sea that covered much of North America. The water in this sea evaporated, leaving behind a bed of mineral-rich sodium bentonite.
Fremont Indians living in what is now rural Southern Utah once told tales of the healing properties of this clay deposit, which the legend holds was discovered when the natives noticed herds of deer frequently gathering to nibble at the soil around the deposit. Native Americans were known to carry a ball of clay with them in their packs, dissolving some in water and with their meals to ward off the effects of stomach ailments and food infections, and the practice persisted for generations.
During the 1960â€™s, the Bosshardt family began experimenting with the clay deposit on their property, using it as the Indians had to treat bee stings and upset stomach, and eventually began hearing from local health food stores inquiring about the benefits of the clay. The interest prompted them to send a sample to be tested in a lab, and when the results showed it was safe for human use the family began selling the healing clay under the name Redmond ClayÂ®.
Redmond ClayÂ® has grown up a bit since then, but the product remains as pure as it was when the Fremonts discovered its uses. We carefully extract this ancient volcanic ash from deep within the earth, bringing it to you in its pure, natural state. Many people consider it their first aid kit in the bottle.
Mix 1 teaspoon of dry powder clay in a half glass of water, stir it up, and let it sit 6 to 8 hours. Then drink either the clear liquid off the top, or stir it up and drink all of it. Depending on your liking, you can drink it in the morning, throughout the day, or in the evening. People find that the clay water tastes better cold than at room temperature.
Because the clay draws toxins to itself, some conditions may appear worse before they get better.
Do not leave metal in contact with the wet clay, as it will quickly rust.
Conveniently, have Redmond Clay available to drink by adding a Â¼ cup of dry powder Redmond Clay to a two/three quart glass pitcher of water, stir it briskly and put it in the refrigerator. Within a few hours, the clay will settle to the bottom and most of the water will be clear. Drink freely, and when the water level gets low just wash out the remaining sediments and start over. In the book, Our Earth Our Cure, notes that drinking the clear water off the top gives basically the same results as drinking the clay itself.
Some sources recommend that you drink the clay water once a day. However, we have received feedback from customers that have had great success drinking it multiple times a day, and others drink as the need arises.
Prepare Redmond Clay for external use by mixing it with enough water to make a gel about the consistency of mustard. Use filtered or distilled water when available, but you can use tap water as well. Once mixed it will never dry out, separate, or go bad as long as you store it in an air tight container. If it does start to dry out, simply add more water and stir. The Redmond Clay gel can be stored in the fridge, the cupboard, or car; heat and cold do not affect it.
There are many different ways of using the clay externally. One of the best ways is to apply it generously in a Â½ inch to Â¾ inch layer directly on the skin. An alternative that allows for more mobility is to apply the gel to a piece of cheese cloth, fold the cloth as if making a 'burrito', and secure to the skin with an ace bandage.
After applying there are several options:
* Uncovered: Some people put on the clay and leave it uncovered so that it dries out within the hour. As it dries, it will draw or pull.
* Covered with Cloth: Covering the Redmond Clay with a cloth will hold it in place and cause the clay to dry slower. Doing this enables you to leave the clay on overnight or to walk around the house without getting wet clay all over the furniture. Wetting the cloth with water will slow the drying rate and cause more of a cooling sensation.
* Covered with Plastic: Covering the Redmond Clay Gel with plastic wrap or a plastic bag keeps the clay from drying out which is important if you are applying to a burn. Even though the clay doesn't dry out, some people will wash the clay off and replace it once or twice a day. Other people have left the same pack on a burn for a couple of days until the burn was 'just pink skin'. One key: Do not let the clay dry on a burn; keep it moist until it is time to wash it off.
* Using the Dry Redmond Clay: People say using it as baby powder causes diaper rash to disappear by the next diaper change. Some people feel that sprinkling the dry Redmond Clay on an open, infected wound causes more of a drawing/healing action than using the gel.
* Clay Baths: Many people in the health food industry feel that the skin is a primary avenue for detoxificaiton. Putting Redmond Clay in the bath seems to increase the drawing effect which helps people detoxify. To use the clay for a clay bath, simply add 1 to 2 cups of Redmond Clay under the faucet as you fill the tub of hot water. Soak in it fro 30 to 45 minutes.
* An alternate technique is do a foot bath. To do this simply put 3 tablespoons of the Redmond Clay in a pan of water and soak your feet for 30- 45 minutes.