Clay therapy has been practiced for millennia by various cultures as a natural healing method. Clay baths offer significant benefits for the health and well-being of your pet.
This therapy is not just a passing trend. The advantages of using clay are widely recognized around the world for its detoxifying, antioxidant, drying, astringent, regenerative, and antiseptic properties, making it a true universal remedy.
Definition and Composition of Clay
Clay is a mineral formed from a combination of trace elements such as potassium, zinc, manganese, lithium, phosphorus, boron, selenium, and nickel. However, it is particularly notable for its high concentrations of silicon and magnesium. Silicon acts as a conductor, facilitating the absorption of other trace elements into the bloodstream, while magnesium plays a crucial role in purification and detoxification. Trace elements are inorganic minerals essential in small quantities for various metabolic functions in the body.
Clays are formed from the decomposition of rocks, resulting in grains much smaller than sand. Its primary mechanism of action is adsorption, where the clay particles bind to toxins and remove them from the body through the skin. Adsorption is the process in which molecules of a substance adhere to a solid surface, and porous materials like activated charcoal and clay are excellent adsorbents.
The quality of the clay is critical. Quality producers extract clay sustainably, purify it from impurities, grind and sift it to obtain a fine powder.
Use of Clay in Nature
Many animals in nature use clay for protection, healing, and well-being. Hippos, elephants, and pigs roll in mud to protect their skin from the sun, moisturize, and repel insects and parasites. Parrots ingest clay to detoxify their bodies from toxins present in certain seeds they consume.
Brief History of Clay
Clay has a long history in medicinal treatments, mentioned in the world’s oldest medical texts. Ancient Egyptian doctors used clay to treat inflammations and ulcers, as well as in the mummification process and manuscript preservation. The Chinese applied clay compresses to cure inflammations, while in India, mud baths were taken in specific locations. Arabs used clay to treat malaria and rheumatism, and indigenous peoples in South and Central America used it to treat snake and scorpion bites and heal wounds.
Currently, clay is incorporated into modern aesthetic and therapeutic treatments, being part of geotherapy in holistic medicine, which also includes the use of stones and crystals.
Types of Clay and Their Properties
There are various types of clay, each with its unique composition and specific therapeutic indications. All types of clay promote deep skin cleansing and have a detox effect, in addition to being gentle exfoliants and promoting cell regeneration.
Explore the different types and their applications:
- White Clay: Rich in aluminum, silica, and kaolinite, as well as manganese and magnesium. It has lightening and healing properties, absorbs impurities, and controls oiliness without dehydrating. Indicated for dermatitis, seborrhea, stained skins, and excessive oiliness. Ideal for dogs with light fur, pink and sensitive skin.
- Green Clay: Rich in silicon and magnesium, it is effective in removing impurities and deep cleaning. It promotes skin oxygenation, combats edema, and has drying, emollient, antiseptic, bactericidal, analgesic, and healing properties. Indicated for oily and thick skins, useful for dogs in dermatological treatments and for elderly dogs with joint pain.
- Pink Clay: Indicated for sensitive, delicate, reddened, irritated, and allergic skins. It acts on blood circulation, stimulating hair growth. It is antiseptic and detoxifying, ideal for dogs with intense itching, dry skin, and hair loss.
- Purple Clay: Recommended for mature and dull skins, providing deep hydration and regeneration. Rich in aluminum, silicon, silica, magnesium, titanium, and iron, it is ideal for elderly dogs with flaccid skin and dull fur.
- Red Clay: Mainly composed of iron oxide, it is excellent for sensitive skins. It absorbs oiliness, hydrates, and has a healing effect. It activates blood circulation and is ideal for dogs with red to dark fur.
- Yellow Clay: Similar to pink clay, it is rich in silicon, aluminum, iron, and potassium. It has a disinfectant action, absorbs impurities, and reduces tissue inflammation. It can be used on all skin types, being ideal for dogs with sensitive skins and moist dermatitis.
- Gray Clay: Considered the most therapeutic, it is rich in titanium, silicon, and aluminum, and has the most alkaline pH. It has lightening, drying, and absorbing actions, being great for pain relief from rheumatism and ideal for dogs with any fur color.
- Black Clay: High in aluminum and associated with titanium, zinc, silicon, potassium, and iron, black clay is excellent for skin detoxification and hair growth promotion. Ideal for dogs of all fur colors, especially for those with dark fur.
Preparing Clay Baths
The procedure of a clay bath involves wrapping the body with the prepared paste and leaving it for up to 20 minutes, as needed. The paste is made by adding a liquid, which can be mineral water, coconut water, green tea, chamomile tea, mint tea, or organic apple cider vinegar. Ingredients should be fresh and organic, and teas can be used hot or cold.
Essential Oils
Adding essential oils to clay preparations enhances their therapeutic effects. Oils such as bergamot, Roman chamomile, citronella, frankincense, geranium, ginger, helichrysum, lavender, marjoram, myrrh, niaouli, tangerine, and ylang-ylang have specific indications. However, it is important not to use more than one drop of essential oil in the preparations.
Conclusion
Clay therapy offers undeniable benefits and has been extensively studied, with specific product lines available, such as Madra Mór in the United States. Although there are no general contraindications, it is recommended to seek a qualified therapist who knows the properties of each clay, liquids, and essential oils for the correct indication.
