A year and a half ago I suddenly developed a dreadful skin condition that has been recently biopsed and diagnosed as Pleva…a condition which has no known cause and presents itself as a chicken-pox like rash … Itchy in nature and often blistering. The spots can be small or up to a half an inch in diameter, blister badly and leave brown scars! I suffered my outbreaks mostly on my lower legs but many other places as well.

The most effective treatment is UV treatment but also in some cases liver damaging drugs are prescribed! An anti inflammatory diet is also recommended! I followed all protocols for my condition and was able to in some manner keep things calm but my skin was always in constant eruption. I believed in my heart that this inflammatory condition was a sign that I had an overload of toxins in my body perhaps metal…which lead me to investigate heavy Metal Toxicity. I was fully intending to get tested but stumbled upon a world of information about Clay! I had nothing to lose in trying a regime of Clay and it certainly was hugely less expensive and less stressful than a regime of tests and Chelation therapy so I began with Bentonite hydrated clay every day and then 2 weeks later added Clay Baths to my routine!

For the first time in a year and a half my body is clear of all the Pleva spots! Wow! I am singing from the highest mountain to all who will hear… Clay is a Must-Have for all of us! We are bombarded with toxins and metals every day and we desperately need to cleanse ourselves of these invaders so we can heal naturally! I am a living example that it is possible to go beyond treating the symptoms and get to the underlying cause!

And…in closing I must say how amazed and perplexed I am how few people know about Healing Clay! I guess I’ll sing louder!
——J.W.

Geography

To the west, the Mojave is bound by Tehachapi, CA and the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. These mountain ranges are distinct, having been created by California’s two largest faults: the well-known San Andreas and the Garlock.  It is bound to the south by Joshua Tree National park. In fact, the presence of Joshua trees is one way to determine if a given location is within the Mojave Desert. It is the *only* location where Joshua Trees are known to grow. To the east, the Mojave Desert ends at Zion National Park.

The Mojave Desert makes up a significant portion of Southern CA and to a much smaller degree, parts of NV, AZ and Utah. It is named after the Mohave Native Americans and consists of approximately 54,000 square miles. The Mojave Desert is North America’s smallest, driest desert defined by its geology, elevation and characteristic plants such as Joshua trees. Not surprisingly, the Mojave Desert gets less than 6” of rainfall annually. High winds – up to 50 miles per hour -  contribute to the erosion of the desert landscape and are more common in the western end of this desert than in the eastern part.

Geology

In contrast to a more typical desert, the Mojave Desert has abruptly rising mountain ranges alternating with low, flat basins with an occasional sand dune. By definition, land basins have no outlet for water so that any rainfall evaporates in place, leaving behind alkaline dry lake beds or playas. Playas are among the flattest land forms on earth. The Mojave Desert also contains dry river beds or arroyos as well.

History

As far back as 225 million years ago, the Mojave was covered by shallow seas. These seas left thousands of meters of sediment, visible as different color bands in the mountains. From then to approximately 65 million years ago, the Mojave Desert region experienced tectonic plate activity and the entire area was uplifted. The weather became warmer and drier and bodies of water evaporated and left behind crusts of evaporate minerals. From 65 million years ago to present day, the tectonic plate activity and movement of faults was accompanied by volcanic activity. In the Death Valley area in particular, this plate activity created mountains and caused the land to drop, creating an enormous below-sea level bed or valley.

Our Clay’s Intense Origin

In a nutshell, Earth’s Living^TM  calcium bentonite clay is ancient volcanic ash that’s been charged with energy from the volcano from which it was spewed.  Volcanic eruptions in the Death Valley area dispersed clouds of volcanic ash over the dry, inland rivers and lake beds, filling the enormous valley with what has become calcium bentonite clay. The intense heat of the volcano burned off any impurities within the ash, transforming it into supercharged trace minerals.  Over time, these deposits evolved into veins of what is now known as calcium bentonite clay. The purity of our Mojave Desert clay is due to  a thick layer or ‘cap’ of zeolite above it. Zeolite forms where volcanic rocks and ash layers react with alkaline groundwater.

Our clay contains far more magnesium than other clays in the smectite family. One possible explanation for this is that the valley where the volcanic ash was deposited was a dry sea bed. As described above, when the rivers, lakes and basins dried, they left behind evaporate minerals. It could be that the seas in this area of the West had a higher concentration of magnesium than other areas. In fact, Earth’s Living^TM calcium bentonite clay is nearly twice as clean mineralogically-speaking, as another clay marketed as an ionic mineral supplement, derived from the Colorado desert (the original Colorado River delta). That clay has been in part, weathered by the Colorado River, accounting for the difference in ‘cleanliness’ between the two types.

Summary

Not all clays are created equal and not all clays are intended for internal use. Find out about the origin of your clay so you can have confidence in its content and purity. Check out our YouTube channel for a short video shot recently in the Mojave Desert, showing mountain ranges and a dry lake bed with evaporate minerals. We’ve also posted lots of pictures of the Mojave Desert on Flickr as well.

Foot Bath

A foot bath can be a very relaxing experience at the end of
a busy day or part of a quiet night at home in preparation for a good night’s
sleep. Fill a small, plastic dishpan halfway with hot water from the tap. (Plastic
dishpans can be found at discount department stores as well as $.99 stores for
less than $2.00 in most areas.)  Do NOT use metal containers! Add 4 ounces (1/4 cup)
of calcium bentonite green clay for external use to the pan of hot water. Place your
feet in the dishpan and swirl the water. Feel the clay surround the tops of your feet
and in between each of your toes. Keep feet submerged until the water begins to cool.

To finish the experience, be sure not to rinse your feet. You may wish to rub
cold-pressed coconut oil or hexane-free castor oil on the bottoms of your feet before
putting socks on. These can become your ‘foot bath socks’. The coconut oil will soften
like nothing you’ve ever tried. The castor oil will continue to pull toxins out of the feet
overnight. In the morning, wash feet with soap and water. If needed, baking soda can be
rubbed on the soles of the feet to remove the castor oil.

Clay Bath

A clay bath should become a weekly ritual for general health  and wellness and cleansing.
Many people report profound and deep sleep after a clay bath and there are testimonials on this website regarding clay baths and psoriasis. As the bathtub is filling, add 8 ounces of calcium bentonite green clay for external use under the spout. Some people prefer to mix the clay with water first then add it to the bath, but I find that unnecessary. (I enjoy feeling the small lumps of clay in between my fingers and toes and take pleasure in melding them into my hands.) Just because the clay is doing its job externally via the skin does not mean it’s less effective. Adults have reported experiencing a healing crisis from a single clay bath, so do listen to your body and start with just 8 ounces of dry clay per bath.

Clay baths for children are becoming more popular as the results people experience are written about. Since children are smaller than adults, the amount of clay used in the bath and the amount of time in the water needs to be adjusted accordingly.
Find specifics on this on our FAQs page.

Drinking Clay

A great way to detoxify from the inside out is by ingesting pure calcium bentonite clay for internal use. If you’re a regular consumer of clay, you can add an ounce or two daily to your routine for additional detoxing. If you are new to clay, add one ounce of pure calcium bentonite clay for internal use to 8 ounces of purified water in a glass or food-grade plastic bottle. Shake well and drink one ounce daily until gone. Be sure to drink at least 64 ounces of purified water daily. You may continue a second week with two ounces daily.  As with anything, you must listen to your body and heed its signals.

The most common side effect with drinking clay is constipation. This is likely the result of putrefied fecal matter being pulled
from the crevices of the entire intestinal tract. While you want to remove such toxic matter, you don’t want to be uncomfortable. Your options are to add flax seeds, prune juice, psyllium husks to your diet along with lots of purified water. Or you can cut back on the amount of clay you’re consuming.

Whichever method you choose to detoxify, cleansing the body with clay is a great way to start a new year and sets the stage for healthier choices in the months to come!

Ingredients

2 cups almond milk
1/2 banana
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
1/4 cup pure calcium bentonite clay for internal use
2 packs of stevia
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup slivered almonds or nut of your choice

Directions
Place milk, banana, cinnamon, cocoa, mint and stevia in blender.
Mix until smooth and pour into mixing bowl.
Grind chia seeds in blender, coffee mill, or food processor. These may be added whole, however some people are turned off by a tapioca consistency in their food, so grinding the seeds eliminates this.
Mix dry clay and chia seeds together in separate bowl.
Slowly add chia and clay mix to wet ingredients and mix with whisk.
Put in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
Remove from frig and mix again with wire whisk. Put back in refrigerator.
Remove from frig a second time and mix again with wire whisk. Put back in refrigerator.
Keep in mixing bowl, or pour into individual serving bowls.
Cover and let sit over night in the refrigerator.
Top with nuts just before serving.

Let us know your thoughts!

Homeostasis applies to the different systems of our bodies. For example, homeostasis in the blood is regulated by the kidneys, lungs, liver and pancreas through a series of complex interactions. A simpler example is when body temperature becomes elevated, as with physical activity, the body begins to sweat in an effort to bring our core temperature back to normal. The digestive system is another bodily system that seeks homeostasis. pH balance and helpful bacteria are required for the digestive system to maintain equilibrium.

The beginning points of the digestion process – the mouth and the stomach – are more acidic because that is needed to begin the breakdown of food. However, the enzymes in the small intestine cannot function well in an acidic environment and require a high pH to do their job. So how does the digestive system get out of kilter? The assaults creating imbalance in the digestive system are many including:

• consumption of the Standard American Diet,
• physical and psychological stress,
• environmental toxins and
• side effects of prescription medications.

In addition, a dysfunctional digestive system can result in fecal matter remaining in the 23 – 26 foot intestinal tract. Over time, this fecal matter decays and becomes putrefied, creating more imbalance and assault on the system. Absorption of nutrients from food can also be negatively impacted as a result, resulting in malnutrition.

Therapeutic-grade calcium bentonite clay assists in bringing homeostasis to the digestive system by raising the pH of the intestinal tract. This environment supports the enzymatic processes required to digest and assimilate food. As a negatively-charged detoxifier, pure calcium bentonite clay taken internally attracts the putrefied fecal matter to it and is eliminated from the body. This helps to improve the functioning of the digestive system. Every being is individual with varying constitutions. As with so many things, it’s best to listen to your body and follow its signals about what it responds to best.

Resources

http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0008030.html

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Homeostasis

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4565570_digestive-system-maintain-homeostasis.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/family-nutrition/standard-american-diet-sad

Palo Santo, or “Holy Wood,” is a tree which is native to Ecuador. This oil has been used for centuries by the natives in South America  as a spiritual remedy for purifying and cleansing and to dispel evil spirits, misfortune and calamity.

It is said that the true value of this tree comes after its life, of up to 90 years because, the tree does not release its essence, or essential oil, until is has lain on the ground for 4-10 years after having died of natural causes. At this point the tree gives freely of its essential essences.

 Benefits

• As an anti-inflammatory for muscles and joints
• As a decongestant to reduce nasal mucus production and swelling
• As a nervous system tonic, sedative
• Helpful for allergies

Aged heartwood (the center or core) is rich in essential oils such as limonene and alpha-pinene which  have been shown to be chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic against several types of cancer. It has been found to be antitumoral, antibacterial, antiviral, helpful for sciatic pain, and assists with bone healing. In medical aromatherapy this oil has shown to be effective to counteract panic attacks and anxiety, as a respiratory remedy for cough, colds, and asthma, for headaches and migraines, and in massage therapy for pain and inflammation of the muscles and joints. In spiritual aromatherapy it can be beneficial for meditation, concentration, and for enhancing creativity and learning.

What a blessing that in its putrefaction, the Palo Santo tree provides medicine; hence, increased life is the outcome of its death.

Ingredients

1.5 cups raw almonds

1/3 cup pure calcium bentonite clay

~15 dried figs

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

1/3 cup shredded coconut

1/8 cup filtered water

Directions

1. Blend the almonds and clay in a food processor for about 30 seconds until you have a fine consistency.

2. Add the figs and cacao powder to the food processor; blend for another 30 seconds.

3. Add the coconut powder and pulse 5 times.

4. Add the water and pulse 5 times or until the mixture begins to solidify.

5. Spread the mixture onto one half of a small baking tray lined with parchment paper; fold the parchment paper over the mixture and mold the mixture into a block approximately 1″ thick.

6. Place the baking tray into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

7. Remove the tray from the refrigerator and cut the block into bite-sized pieces.

Not surprisingly, the birds eat a lot of seeds and nuts from the trees in the rainforest. Many times they eat unripe, young seeds. This creates a problem for the trees, as the flesh of their fruit – not the seeds – is intended to be eaten. In turn, plants often protect their seeds but surrounding them in toxic substances. This is to ensure that the seeds would not all be eaten and that some would have a chance to survive and germinate.

While a PhD student at UC Davis, James Gilardi learned that the birds prefer to eat soil with a high concentration of clay. The negatively charged clay particles attract and bind to the positively charged toxins in the seeds. From there, the compound of clay and toxins are eliminated from the birds’ system. Dr. Gilardi also found evidence that the clay coated the stomachs of the birds, protecting them from the astringent effects of bitter tannins and other toxins found in their diet. These same properties found in the kaolin clay of the Western Amazonia clay licks can be found in calcium bentonite clay. It is well known as a powerful detoxifier from many of today’s environmental hazards such as allergens, herbicides, molds, pesticides, poisons and pathogens.

References

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D55Ip24TyOI

http://vtpb-www2.cvm.tamu.edu/brightsmith/Real%20dirt%20on%20clay%20licks.htm

We’re currently featuring two varieties of Mara Kesh Select’s Superior Moroccan Argan Oil.

The Hair Care Oil is great for dull, overprocessed, and chemically-treated hair. Use Hair Care Oil to:

- Instantly soften hair
- Repair and restore damaged hair by adding moisture
- Increase shine of lackluster dry hair and keep color brilliant
- Prevent split ends
- Tame frizzy, unmanageable hair
- Aids in effective hair growth

The Skin Care Anti-Aging Treatment is truly an oil of many uses. It’s many benefits derive from from its unique composition. It is a good source of antioxidants which has anti-aging effects, protect skin cells from chemicals, drugs, pollutants, and ultraviolet rays. Antioxidants produce free radicals, which attack healthy cells, and cause skin damage. Antioxidants help your skin retain its youthful glow, reduce wrinkle lines, and stretch marks, and helps to hydrate your skin. Use Skin Care Anti-Aging Treatment to:

- Helps lighten skin
- Repairs and conditions skin
- Retains skin glow
- Reduces wrinkle lines
- Maintains moisture
- Protects skin from chemicals, drugs, pollutants, and ultraviolet rays
- Treats scars and acne blemishes by healing damaged skin
- Heals sunburns
- Reduces stretch marks
- Increases the effectiveness of sunscreens aiding in the prevention of skin cancer
- Aids in the treatment of joint pain and stiffness, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, acne, and other skin-related issues

Right now,  our Hair Care Oil and Skin Care Anti-Aging Treatment are on sale for $14.95 each.

Our Rejuvenation Face Cream is small in size but delivers big on results. This super-hydrating cream contains pure calcium bentonite clay and natural plant extracts for a youthful glow and is appropriate for all skin types.  Soothing and rejuvenating aloe give this cream it’s name. And now it’s on sale for $19.95.

Our third special makes a great gift for the man on your holiday list who cares about his appearance and health! Our Mens Skin Care Bundle includes an 8 ounce clay bath, a bar of any of our handmade soaps and 30 ml of Men Pure Moroccan Argan Oil. Detoxify, stimulate and repair your skin with this package for $24.95 including priority mail shipping anywhere in the United States. Please specify Pore Magic, Menthol Whisker Bar, Middle Earth Mud Bar, Unscented, Lavender or Mint Mud soap at checkout.