We are the stuff made from dirt. It’s true that not a lot of people really understand what dirt is anyway. Sure, it’s the stuff that gathers around your shoes. It collects on your windows, too. We walk on it, and it feels gritty under our feet. Some dirt particles are small and soft to the touch while other pieces of dirt are larger and hard.  

That’s pretty much the extent to which we know dirt. If you ask anyone about how the dirt got there, you’re more than likely to get a shrug and a pair of raised eyebrows. The bible says that mankind came from dust and to dust we shall return. Some scientists think we are the product of universal stardust. And if you listen to classic rock, you may believe that “All we are is dust in the wind,” as the band Kansas famously sang.

Consuming Dirt

If you ask anyone about the health benefits of consuming dirt, you’ll probably get a laugh or some cynical sort of stare. How on earth can dirt possibly possess any benefits to a person?  After all, our super clean lifestyles in the Western world are all about minimizing our exposure to dirt not maximizing it for some health benefit.  

These days, what we maximize, on the other hand, is our state of cleanliness. We shower once to twice per day, wash our hands throughout the day with antibacterial soap, apply anti-bacterial sanitizer after we touch any surface with germs, and break out the Clorox wipes to ensure that there are no germs or viruses sitting on our countertops.  

But what if you and I explored the possibility that dirt can be good for you? Specifically, eating it.  Not huge amounts but just a little. Like a teaspoon in water. Because eating clay has health benefits and there is science behind this to back up the statement.

How it Works

The following is a simple explanation of the mechanism of action behind clay: after the clay is ingested, its negatively-charged molecules attract positively charged particles in the gut. In other words, the large negatively charged surface areas of the clay attract positively charged toxins.  

This is how clay basically functions to detoxify the skin when used as an external face mask.  There is also scientific evidence showing how clay not only draws toxins but also parasites and pathogens. A couple of the best-selling clay products in the world are Kaopectate and Smecta,  which are used for intestinal distress including diarrhea. Both products are produced by pharmaceutical manufacturers. There goes the theory that eating dirt is quack medicine practiced by a fringe group of people! 

Clay has been historically utilized as an internal detoxifying agent by many cultures around the globe. The Pomo Indians of California for example, cooked foods rich in glycoalkaloids, like toxic potatoes, with clay to nullify the side effects of the toxin-laden potatoes. Otherwise, the ill effects of eating the potatoes manifested in stomach distress.  

Even animals consume clay to rid their bodies of the toxic alkaloids after consuming certain types of food. Parrots and Macaws of Southeastern Peru are known to ingest soil regularly. 

Outside of detoxification, there is a good deal of new literature beginning to emerge regarding the diverse microbiome in clay and its positive impact on gut health. 

Detox Dirt

The montmorillonite clay in Detox Dirt has been the subject of clinical trials. This means that it has been included in many independent clinical trials to assess its effectiveness and safety in human beings. These clinical trials were double-blind, placebo-controlled, which means that both the physicians who conducted the patient evaluations and the actual patients themselves were not made aware of what medicine was utilized in treatment – montmorillonite clay or placebo.  

The purpose of these types of trials is to eliminate bias in the research results and ensure the trial’s objectivity. The end results are fascinating to read as clay really demonstrated positive health effects. Patients’ results were tracked using blood and urinary markers to provide physical evidence of detoxification. 

Interested in learning more?

If you want to learn more about the health benefits of eating clay, read Healing with Clay by Ran Knishinsky, founder of Detox Dirt and an avid clay eater for over 30 years. This is his newest book which contains the latest scientific validation for eating clay.

About the Author: Ran Knishinsky eats clay on a daily basis. When he's not eating dirt, he is the author of 4 books published in 5 languages. Ran is the founder of Detox Dirt, an edible montmorillonite clay. Ran has been over 15 years in both the naturopathic and allopathic medicine industries. He first owned a Homeopathic Dispensary and Health Food Store. Later he worked in the Hospital, Med Device, and Pharmaceutical sectors as a Management Consultant and Marketing Executive where he led large-scale commercial efforts for high-profile drugs at publicly traded companies. Ran holds a Master of Business Administration from the WP Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Learn more about what Ran is eating at DetoxDirt.com!