It was 30 years ago when I first learned about eating clay. I was not looking to eat dirt. At that time in my life, I didn’t know that dirt was viewed as a natural supplement to be consumed. I was more familiar with its use for external health applications.

My journey with healing clay led me to write the book, “Healing with Clay: A Practical Guide to Earth’s Oldest Natural Remedy,”. It all started after I was diagnosed with a ganglion cyst, which appeared on the back of my wrist. A ganglion cyst is basically a small, fluid-filled sac that appears as a lump under the skin. Over six months, it grew aggressively in size from the shape of a small pea to the size of a grape tomato. When it felt like there might be no stopping this growth from turning into a boulder, it was time to consult a physician.

Smashing the Cyst

I discussed the removal of this growth with an allopathic doctor who immediately recommended surgery. He said that these types of cysts were usually due to some sort of shock or trauma to the tendons or joints. But I didn’t remember any sort of trauma that I endured.

The physician said that an alternative option to surgery might be to smash my hand with a big bible. In the old days, he claimed, these cysts were commonly referred to as “bible cysts” since the method to eliminate them was to directly smash the cyst. Sometimes, however, the side effects of the cyst’s removal were worse than the cure, and broken bones were a result!

Start Eating Clay

Not very excited about surgery or hand smashing, I opted to consult with a doctor who was trained in the art and science of naturopathic medicine. He held a different opinion of why cysts might occur. Simply put, he blamed the whole thing on toxins. He offered me his understanding, basically telling me that the cyst was a result of toxins that aggregated in the joint area. Then, he slammed a jar of dirt onto the counter and exclaimed, “Eat this!”. 

I looked at him like he was crazy. “Dirt,” I asked.

“Yes,” he responded. “But not just any dirt. A very special type of dirt called clay.”

“But it’s still earth, right?”

“A very special type of earth,” he mentioned. “It’s been eaten for millennia. Used to detoxify the body. I eat it every day.”

He explained the instructions to me. I only needed to add a teaspoon of the tasteless powder to a few ounces of water. Then, stir and drink. Do this daily and then follow up with him in one month. 

It Disappeared

Within the next two months, low and behold, the cyst fully disappeared. It was nowhere to be seen. Some people in my circle believe it was wholly due to the consumption of clay. Others were more skeptical dismissing the event, claiming that the cyst was bound to disappear on its own.

Perhaps it might have disappeared without any treatment. I am not sure what the alternate future might have brought had I not stumbled onto clay. All I knew was that I was incredibly impressed with the results of this age-old medicine and was very determined to learn more about this magic earth powder: montmorillonite clay.

Fast forward five and one-half years later, I wrote my first book on the subject matter of earth eating entitled The Clay Cure.

Now, fast forward another 25 years from the publication of the first edition…the 2nd edition of this same book is due out in Y2022 under a new title, Healing with Clay. This new book has been revised and expanded, containing the latest clinical informationwhich validates the benefits of earth eating. 

In Summary

From pharmaceutical companies to entities in the nutraceutical space to pet food companies, clay is utilized today in the development of medicine, supplements, and food. The movement to accept its therapeutic use is growing so I invite you to learn more about the health benefits of the earth’s oldest natural remedy.

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!