Is bentonite clay good for gastritis? Is it effective? How to treat gastritis with clay? How does it act on the stomach? And finally, what other natural remedies can be used to relieve gastritis?
I. Brief reminder of gastritis
Gastritis is a pathology that is due to an inflammation of the gastric mucosa. It is manifested by pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea and even vomiting.
There are many probable causes for the appearance of gastritis. It can be caused by eating too much unhealthy food, as well as by taking certain medications. But one of the most common causes of gastritis is an infection with Helicobacter pylori.
Infection with the H. pylori bacteria causes acute gastritis, which can later become chronic.
There are many types of gastritis, including acute, chronic, viral, erythematous, and erosive.
Although gastritis is considered by many to be a disease, it is a lesion on the stomach walls. Also, there is only a biopsy to really confirm the diagnosis.
Gastritis can be treated with antibiotics, especially in the case of H. pylori infection. However, diet and lifestyle are two important elements in the recovery from this lesion.
II. Is bentonite clay good for gastritis?
First of all, it is important to know that bentonite clay is a mixture of different clay minerals formed by the alteration of volcanic ashes. It contains up to 95% montmorillonite, a mineral of the phyllosilicate class.
The main components are aluminum and silicon as well as sodium, calcium, magnesium, and crystal water (water bound in a solid).
While gastritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach. Indeed, the gastric mucosa lines the inside of the stomach like a coat.
In addition, the cells of the mucous membrane produce the gastric juice necessary for digestion. However, acid is also very aggressive: if too much gastric acid is produced or if the gastric mucosa is damaged and weakened for various reasons, the acid can attack the mucosal cells and inflammation of the gastric mucosa occurs.
The question arises whether bentonite clay can be used as a remedy for gastritis?
To this question, many medical researchers believe that bentonite clay absorbs pollutants, metabolic wastes as well as bacterial and mold toxins already present in the digestive system so that they cannot even penetrate the stomach and can be distributed throughout the body. Therefore, the stomach which would otherwise have to deal with the detoxification of these substances, are enormously relieved and can devote itself to other tasks.
1. How bentonite clay acts on gastritis
Clay has many properties and virtues. In cases of gastritis, clay helps to regulate the acidity level of the stomach, which is often too high.
In addition, clay lines the walls of the stomach and helps to repair them. Because it is anti-inflammatory, clay soothes the pain associated with this condition.
This action will allow an improvement of the transit and a better state of the stomach in general.
Clay is also absorbent, and acts on bacteria and toxins present in the body. Another of its actions is its capacity to improve healing and the state of the mucous membranes.
2. How to use clay for gastritis
Bentonite clay is easily used in a 21-day cure to fight against gastric problems.
Use bentonite clay and put a spoonful in a glass of spring water. Let it sit for several hours, even overnight, and drink the clay water on an empty stomach the next morning.
After a certain period of time (3 days to a week), if you have no side effects, such as constipation, you can switch to drinking the clay milk.
Clay milk is obtained in exactly the same way as clay water. The only difference is that before drinking the solution, you will have to stir it with a wooden spoon.
White clay is often preferred in the case of gastric problems, for its power on stomach acidity.
It is also possible, especially in cases of gastric pathologies accompanied by pain, to apply a bentonite clay poultice.
To make a bentonite clay poultice, put powdered bentonite clay in a non-metallic container and add water. After one hour, apply between 2 and 3 cm thick of the clay paste on your abdomen.
Place two layers of paper towels on top and tighten with gauze. Leave the poultice in place for 30 minutes to 1 hour, before removing it with warm water.
3. Should bentonite clay be taken on an empty stomach?
Since bentonite clay comes in powder form, it is advisable to mix 1 tablespoon of it with 1 tablespoon of water. It is advisable to mix 1 teaspoon of clay powder with 8 ounces of water and drink on an empty stomach for at least one hour before eating or taking other supplements or herbal teas.
This must be done so that the clay does not interfere with the absorption of the beneficial nutrients for our body found in food.
A daily regimen can last up to three weeks or you can take a break for at least a week.
4. How does clay Neutralize stomach acid?
Bentonite clay has an alkalizing effect due to its mineral content, helping to regulate the pH of your stomach and neutralize gastric acid.
III. Other benefits of bentonite clay for the stomach
# Does bentonite clay reduce inflammation?
Of course, bentonite clay helps to reduce inflammation. Indeed, every day, our bodies are exposed to hundreds of toxins, from paints, cleaners, building materials, poor quality water, pesticides, processed foods, cigarettes, city smoke, etc.
In addition to the so-called “heavy metals” such as mercury, benzene, cadmium, and lead found in water and contaminated foods such as fish.
# Does bentonite clay help with gas?
Interestingly, bentonite clay is excellent for fighting food toxins such as aflatoxins (a dangerous mold-like compound that can be found in products such as moldy nuts, peanut butter, and contaminated cooking oil), which can suppress immune system function.
Other healing clays, such as palygorskite and kaolinite, have also been shown to absorb toxins, bacteria, and viruses in the gastrointestinal tract.
By fighting these toxins, bentonite clay can help promote and protect the good bacteria and flora that live in our gut.
Ensuring that our gut health is in tip-top shape is something we now know is essential to maintaining our overall health and well-being
# Does bentonite help bloating?
Bloating is a relatively common phenomenon in adults and children that occurs when gas builds up in the digestive tract.
In most cases, it is not a serious health complication, but rather an inconvenience in daily functioning.
The most common reason for bloating is eating habits. Certain foods directly cause gas and contribute to the development of bloating.
An accompanying phenomenon is the “swallowing” of air, which occurs when eating, drinking, and laughing, but also, for example, when smoking, chewing gum, etc.
The air taken in this way also finds its way into the digestive tract and can also cause bloating. To reduce bloating some specialists would recommend the use of bentonite clay.
Since bentonite has a high proportion of minerals, this makes it an effective remedy for common bloating problems.
# Is clay Good for IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated abdominal pain and changes in the passage of stool, such as diarrhea, constipation, or both. With IBS, these symptoms occur without any visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive tract.
The most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are abdominal pain, often related to bowel movements, and changes in the stool. These changes can be diarrhea, constipation, or both, depending on the type of IBS you have.
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes IBS. However, doctors can treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by recommending the use of bentonite clay, which in addition to its ability to deeply moisturize, all thanks to the minerals it contains, which will act as they should and perform their particular functions upon contact with the skin.
Once the clay is used on the skin, it is revitalized and looks much younger, it also fulfills the ability to improve the circulation in the skin, ensuring better functioning of the body.
IV. Other natural remedies for gastritis
# Honey
If you suffer from chronic gastritis, you can seek relief from honey. Honey has many virtues and has the ability to act on your gastritis.
A simple method is to consume two spoons of honey diluted in a glass of lukewarm water every morning on an empty stomach.
Because there are many varieties of honey, for the health of your stomach, it is better to prefer certain types of honey to others.
In the case of digestive problems or stomach problems, turn to acacia honey, thyme honey, rosemary honey, or borage honey.
# Baking soda
Baking soda is a product that you can use for your heartburn or digestion problems.
To do this, dilute a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water before drinking it. Do this in case of pain. This preparation is ideal to relieve heartburn.
It is important to understand that bicarbonate is not really a remedy, but more of a band-aid. It is always better to consult a doctor to know the real cause of your pain.
# Cabbage
Cabbage can be consumed in case of gastritis. It is also important not to fry it. Cabbage can be eaten boiled, steamed, or baked.
However, it is better to avoid broccoli in case of gastritis. On the other hand, incorporating kale or kelp into your diet is a good idea; but without the vinegar and especially for gastritis in remission.
Sea cabbage can also be eaten in remission.
# Potatoes and olive oil
Potatoes are an excellent food for curing gastritis. It has the ability to regulate gastric acidity, which can be very useful in the case of stomach ulcers or gastric neurosis.
For this purpose, you can consume potato juice, extracting it from potatoes with a centrifuge.
Olive oil is also a compound that contributes enormously to the health of the stomach. Studies show that the antioxidant compounds in olive oil are effective against a stomach bacteria: H. Pylori. This is the same bacterium that is so often the cause of gastritis.
To use olive oil against gastritis, take a spoonful of warm olive oil in a glass of milk.
To combine the two foods, it is best to avoid fried foods. It is therefore preferable to consume potatoes in the form of mashed potatoes, and why not add a drizzle of olive oil afterward.
# Parsley juice
Consuming parsley juice is a good way to fight against the discomfort caused by gastric disorders.
Mix a little parsley juice with water and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. It is indeed preferable to take it before your breakfast, at least ten minutes before.
This remedy acts on the acidity of the stomach, relieves cramps, and regenerates the intestinal flora.
IV. Other questions about Clay for Gastritis
1. Does bentonite clay absorb vitamins?
When ingested, the body absorbs the essential vitamins and minerals present in bentonite clay. Just like a dietary supplement, you might find in your pharmacy, bentonite clay can be introduced into your diet as a natural supplement, adding a beneficial mineral contribution.
The most common, and probably the most convenient, way to introduce bentonite clay into your diet is simply to add it to water.
Add half a teaspoon of bentonite clay to a glass of water, making sure to mix it well, and drink it right away before it “sets”.
2. Is calcium bentonite clay the same as bentonite clay?
According to information from the Geomer Laboratory, bentonite clay, or sodium bentonite, is a natural colloidal clay that contains a high dose of a group of minerals called smectites, from which montmorillonite (CI 77004) is distinguished.
The purest bentonite clays can contain more than 70% of this smectite. While calcium bentonite clay although having the same chemical composition as bentonite clay is a category of bentonite clay (low gumming bentonite clay).
3. Can you mix bentonite clay with lemon juice?
Despite the fact that we know for a fact that bentonite clay is excellent for treating acne and relieving all the problems it brings to the skin, why not combine it with other natural ingredients that are also good for fighting acne (for example) and make it doubly effective?
In this line, there is a perfect mixture, that of bentonite clay with lemon. The latter is a powerful natural astringent that helps reduce blemishes and scars on the skin, in addition to having very beneficial antibacterial and antiseptic components to prevent acne from intensifying over time.
Therefore, bentonite acid and lemon can be mixed together to enhance the antibacterial and antiseptic components contained in each.
4. Are there any dangers of clay for the stomach?
When taken by mouth: Bentonite clay is safest when taken by mouth for a short time. It has been used safely in doses of up to 3 grams per day for 3 months or 4 grams per day for 6 weeks.
Side effects are generally mild, but may include constipation, vomiting, or diarrhea. Clay is to some extent (dangerous) when taken by mouth for a long period of time.
On the other hand, eating clay long-term can lead to low levels of potassium and iron. It can also cause lead poisoning, muscle weakness, intestinal obstruction, skin lesions, or respiratory problems.
Useful Links:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07947-1
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