CLAY MASKS & PACKS for Face and Body

by Jeanne Rose

            Clay comes in many different colors, textures, and adsorption abilities.  Clay adsorbs rather than absorbs, that is, toxins are attached to the outside of the clay particles (adsorb) rather than being taken up (absorb) by the clay particles. It adsorbs toxins both externally on the skin or internally if taken with water as a going to bed drink. Clay will rid the body of pimples and boils or wherever there is acne, pimples or infection.

            It is easy to put together a clay mask or pack: simply take a bit of clay (1 t.), add water/hydrosol, enough to mix  using  a non-metal mixer or your finger and apply. Let is dry and then remove with plenty of water.  Follow with a spray of mineral water or hydrosol.

Different Types of Clay and Their Composition

            There is also Kaolin or China Clay, originally from Kiangsi in SE China which is a fine white clay that is usually used in ceramics and in cosmetics as an adsorbent.  Its principal constituent is kaolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4.

                Bentonite is found in Montana as a soft porous rock composed of clayey minerals in various colors, and used chiefly in oil-well drilling and in pharmacy and skin care.  The principal constituent is montmorillonite RMgAl5Si12O30(OH6•nH2O.  Fuller's Earth is mainly montmorillonite and attapulgite which is an adsorbent.

            There is also Fullers Earth which is mainly montmorillonite and attapulgite which is also an adsorbent.

            Clay is also used medicinally, taken internally for a variety of conditions.  Red Montmorillonite is the most active and detoxifying. Green Illite is used externally for drainage or internally to detoxify and is the most versatile. Pink Kaolin is usually used for facial masks, it is gentle and cleansing and White Kaolin is considered to balance the pH of the body and taken internally as an anti-diarrhea agent.

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AUTHOR:

Jeanne Rose has been teaching and researching natural remedies for 33 years, beginning with her first book, Herbs & Things, now in its second edition.  To get in touch, to purchase the books, to understand aromatherapy, herbalism, hydrosols and essential oils, to sign up for the in-person Seminars with Jeanne Rose, visit her website at www.jeannerose.net or e-mail for information at info@jeannerose.net.  Jeanne Rose also teaches a distance learning program, home-study courses both in Herbalism and Aromatherapy. She is Executive Director of the Aromatic Plant Project and can be reached at info@hydrosols.net.  You may also call 415/564-6785.

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