Living Clay

No. Living Clay will not have a laxative effect when taken for internal detoxification. Because it is a powerful swelling agent, it could have the opposite effect and cause minor constipation. However, drinking plenty of water should eliminate any potential constipation. IMPORTANT: Consult your physician before beginning any supplement, including edible clay. Do not ingest within 2 hours of taking prescription drugs. If your skin is highly sensitive, do a patch test first. Keep out of reach of children. Don’t inhale powder. **This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information for this webpage and product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration**

There is a misconception that sanitized (what we’ll refer to as denatured clay), is better, more “pure” and preferred for use in personal care. For people that want a product free of any bacteria (good or bad), scrubbed of metals (bad and good e.g. copper, silver, etc.), and altered in its crystalline, molecular structure, then yes, it is technically more “pure”. Denatured clay can still swell and absorb toxins (although not quite as effectively), and is safe to use externally. However, its use and effectiveness are more limited since it is inert (more like mud). Most clays on the market are denatured. If clay is processed in this way, it may be from a contaminated source or a deposit that has been exposed to the environment. OR it is a clay brand that is looking for an FDA seal of approval for internal use. Keep in mind that many things many of us feel are safe (like properly handled raw dairy) are not approved by the FDA. The FDA will only approve if the clay has been denatured. Calcium bentonite clay, specifically, is no longer living if it is denatured (now a pharmaceutical-grade product). Side note: In the world of cosmetics and personal care production, products and formulations require preservation. That means no or low bacteria (platelet) count. Therefore, the ingredients used are sanitized, refined, and/or naturally derived. These products also use synthetic preservatives to curb bacterial growth and extend the shelf life. This is particularly true of any products that contain water (since water brings life to most bacteria). In other words, most products on the market are inert, so they are considered “safe”. Unfortunately, these “safe” products, with preservatives, negatively affect the microbiome, losing the beneficial bioactive qualities. IMPORTANT: Consult your physician before beginning any supplement, including edible clay. Do not ingest within 2 hours of taking prescription drugs. If your skin is highly sensitive, do a patch test first. Keep out of reach of children. Don’t inhale powder. **This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information for this webpage and product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration**

These two clays are essentially the same thing. Calcium bentonite clay with more montmorillonite might be called Calcium Montmorillonite, but it is technically a calcium bentonite clay of the montmorillonite/smectite group. Montmorillonite clays result from volcanic ash that was naturally deposited in seawater. A more specific name for the Living Clay could be Green Desert Clay (since it is from a desert area and has a greenish hue), but it should not be confused with French Green Clay, which is an illite clay, not bentonite, and should not be taken internally. The scientific classification / generic description is: Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminum Magnesium Silicate Hydroxide Clear as mud, right?   IMPORTANT: Consult your physician before beginning any supplement, including edible clay. Do not ingest within 2 hours of taking prescription drugs. If your skin is highly sensitive, do a patch test first. Keep out of reach of children. Don’t inhale powder. **This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information for this webpage and product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration**

Even though Sodium Bentonite and Calcium Bentonite Clay are cousins from the same family genesis, they are different in efficacy and intended uses. Sodium Bentonite (montmorillonite)’s primary ion is Sodium (Na). It has a much greater swelling capacity than Calcium Bentonite, so it is not typically used/taken internally except for certain conditions (colon cleansing). Sodium bentonite is used extensively in industrial applications. IMPORTANT: Consult your physician before beginning any supplement, including edible clay. Do not ingest within 2 hours of taking prescription drugs. If your skin is highly sensitive, do a patch test first. Keep out of reach of children. Don’t inhale powder. **This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information for this webpage and product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration**

Most kitchen-grade items are made of high-quality stainless steel, which does not easily leach into either foods or clays. Clay might react with stainless steel (or other solid metals) if it is hydrated and stored in a metal container for long periods (months or years). IMPORTANT: Consult your physician before beginning any supplement, including edible clay. Do not ingest within 2 hours of taking prescription drugs. If your skin is highly sensitive, do a patch test first. Keep out of reach of children. Don’t inhale powder. **This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information for this webpage and product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration**

Our Living Clay has a pH of 9.7. It is alkaline and, therefore, counters acidity in the body. IMPORTANT: Consult your physician before beginning any supplement, including edible clay. Do not ingest within 2 hours of taking prescription drugs. If your skin is highly sensitive, do a patch test first. Keep out of reach of children. Don’t inhale powder. **This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information for this webpage and product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration** 

Yes! Simply peel the label off and add it to your backyard compost. Our compostable pouches are a great alternative to petroleum-based plastic bags and jars. It's lightweight and durable, reducing shipping costs and overall carbon footprint. A re-closable zipper ensures that your product stays fresh. Notch for easy tear open, re-closable zipper Excellent oxygen and moisture barrier Made from white paper and compostable laminated film Made in USA Lightweight & effective (vs plastic jar or container) for lower carbon footprint These films meet composting standards for industrial composting environments. Standards and Certifications ASTM D6400, EN13432. Please compost, where accepted. Safe for Home Composting. Results in home compost systems may vary.

Yes. Like many earth-derived materials, calcium montmorillonite bentonite clay can naturally contain trace amounts of elements such as lead and arsenic. What matters most is not simply whether trace elements are present, but how much is actually available to the body. Available research shows that in natural montmorillonite clay, these trace metals are largely bound within the clay’s mineral structure and have very low bioavailability. Think of these metals as locked within the clay’s structure, rather than freely available. Why we’re comfortable using this clay 1) Studies show very low bioavailability A 2020 study published in Scientific Reports evaluated heavy metals in mineral clay products using simulated digestion and intestinal permeability testing. The researchers found very low to non-detectable permeability for arsenic, cadmium, and lead, and concluded that the heavy metal exposure associated with these mineral clay-based products did not pose a potential hazard to consumers in that assessment. In plain terms: trace metals may be present, but the amount available for absorption appears to be extremely low.  2) Montmorillonite clay has a strong ability to bind metals Montmorillonite clay has a naturally occurring negative charge and high cation-exchange capacity. This gives it a strong ability to bind positively charged substances, including certain metals. We use an unprocessed form of calcium montmorillonite clay, meaning the clay’s natural mineral structure remains intact and has not been altered in a way that would disrupt its ability to bind positively charged substances. This binding behavior is fundamental to how this clay interacts with its environment and is one reason the metals present in the clay are not freely available in the same way they would be in other forms. 3) This clay has a long history of traditional use Calcium montmorillonite clay—often referred to as “living clay”—has been used for generations in various cultures for personal care and wellness practices. While traditional use alone is not scientific proof, it provides helpful context. The consistency of use over time, combined with modern research showing low bioavailability of associated metals, helps explain why this material continues to be used safely today. Bottom line Yes, natural clay can contain trace amounts of naturally occurring heavy metals. The important point is that these metals are largely bound within the clay’s structure and have very low bioavailability based on available research. Combined with its well-understood mineral properties and long history of use, we believe there is no meaningful exposure concern from normal use of our Living Clay or Mineral Toothpowder as directed. Sources & Further Learning We’ve included a small selection of studies and resources below for those who want to better understand how natural clays work and why they’ve been used for so long. In-vitro bioaccessibility and bioavailability of heavy metals in mineral clay complex used in natural health products (Scientific Reports, 2020)https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-65449-4 FDA Amended Safety Assessment by the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Safety for MOCRA (The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022) regarding - Naturally Sourced Clays as Used in Cosmetics (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, March 2023). https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=d5fd5bfa-685d-6aab-94d5-67acbc8713fb Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review (PubMed / NIH)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5632318/ Supplementation of Montmorillonite Reduces Lead Toxicity in Animal Modelshttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-008-8173-0 Montmorillonite Alleviates Lead Toxicity in Aquatic Models (Tilapia Study)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25765241/ Basics of Clay Minerals and Their Characteristic Properties (Book Clay and Clay Minerals, Chapter Excerpt June 2021) https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/76780 Overview of Montmorillonite Properties (Cation Exchange Capacity and Adsorption Behavior)https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/montmorillonite

Yes. The Living Clay label, like its pouch's film, is certified ASTM 6400 and EIN 13432 for home compost.

You can dispose of our Living Clay packaging like you would any other biodegradable material. It’ll break down over time and not leave any plastic residue like typical packaging does. Feel good, you aren’t adding more plastic into our environment!  

Home compostable means that you can compost at home. Commercial compostable means that the compost can only biodegrade and decompose in a commercial composting facility. The films and labels of our refills are certified ASTM 6400 and EIN 13432 for home compost.  

Yes.

Generally speaking, clay will not clog pipes. Like with health, each person’s plumbing will be different and unique. If a pipe already has a slow drain, it could add to any accumulation, depending how much you use and the amount of water that is used to flush the clay. When doing a clay bath, make sure it drains completely. Please use common sense.

For optimal preservation, store The Living Clay at room temperature (or cooler) in a dry location. We advise transferring it to an airtight glass container with a non-metal lid to ensure its longevity. When stored under these conditions, it can remain viable for a decade or more.  Avoid storing the clay in containers made of metal.