Earth Medicine

an Introduction using Clay.

 

 

80% of the world is still dependent on plant/natural based medicine. Natural medicines are pure medicines that accelerate our body’s healing process to restore a healthy balance. Everyone wants the quick fix the ‘magic pill’ for their horse’s aliments. But we really need to take a more active roll in what we are feeding our horses and understand their nutritional needs a bit more than we do. We can support the immune system and elimate harmful toxins from the body, one way to do this is to use clay.

Animals are instinctively drawn to clay, elk, deer, bears, lambs, butterflies, and rats, some of these animals use clay on a daily basis. The mineral content of the clay will determine the type of clay and its specific properties. The clay that I will be talking about is Bentonite clay. There is a list of clays for use: including kaolin, Moroccan red clay, and sea clay, It was reputed that Cleopatra used Dead Sea mud as part of her skin regime.

 

BENEFITS OF USING CLAY & HOW TO USE

• Clay can be use internally and externally.

• Clay can charge the immune system especially during an ongoing disease or when faced with a contagious illness.

• Improves bowel function which is very important for both human and equines.

 

• The body has no problem eliminating clay, the clay assists the body elimination process- acting like psyllium husks sweeping through the bowel pulling old matter out.

• Due to its adsorption properties, clay can adsorb toxins due to its negative electrical charge. Training and competition actually increases the amount of toxins in the body. A build up of these toxins can cause inflammation, stiffness, and soreness in equine athletes and reduced performance.

• Externally clay possesses an antibacterial action as well as an antiseptic action is can be applied as a poultice and used on hoof abbesses also with all kinds of lumps, bumps and excellent for rashes.

      pictures taken from www.frenchclayforall.com

• For a drawing effect mix with water -2 parts water to one part clay do not use metal utensils. Apply to the skin for a drawing effect cover with cling film/wrap.

 

• For internal use 1 oz of clay daily mixed with water and added to feed, I can not stress the importance of drinking plenty of water when using clay and making sure its available to your horse. The clay detoxing can be on-going or what I like to do is 3-4 weeks on and then a rest period.

  clay & water mix picture from www.frenchclayforall.com

• An easy way (and probably the best) to offer clay ad-lib to animals is to pour it in one trough or bucket at a rate of 1 kg of clay per 100 litres or 1%.If using an automatic trough, the clay can be changed once a year since the water gets renewed as the animals drink from it.
  If using a bucket where the water is stagnant, you will need to change the clay approximately once a week based on the temperature/weather. The hotter it gets, more often the clay and water will need to be renewed as the water becomes stale.
• It is advisable to provide another water supply with no clay in it so animals have the choice. You will discover that they will only drink when they feel they need the benefits of the clay.This method is particularly suited for animals at grass (horses, cattle, goats etc) and also if their paddock contains plants that might be dangerous.

 

• For a fantastic facial mask which will deep clean and stimulate circulation and tone sagging skin. Mix into a paste you can add honey and apply to face.

• For the other pets in the house you can add clay to their drinking water.

• When buying clay make sure it’s from a reputable company and not substandard clay.

• Medication and clay do not mix so use them at opposite times.

• If symptoms worsen reduce the clay to a smaller amount and continue, as the body is detoxing toxins can sometimes leave very quickly making the situation look worse. Try this for a few more days But be sensible about this, if it’s aggravating the situation stop!!

 

Dosage

• small animals (cats and dogs): ¼ to ½ a teaspoon/day
• medium animals (small cattle, sheep, goats, pigs etc): ½ to 1 teaspoon/day
• large animals (horses, large cattle): 1 to 5  teaspoons/day

 

When not to use clay:

Clay should never be given orally to horses in the following cases:

• Constipation, impaction
• Hernias
• Consumption of oil for 15 days prior to starting clay
• High fat diets
• During pregnancy and breast feeding (Although a small amount is healthful)
• Hypertension
• During a course of medication

 

Always seek advice from a veterinarian when an animal is ill

 

R. Kelly Equine Herbalist

Sources-

The Clay Cure by Ran Knishins

http://www.frenchclayforall.com/horses.html

http://www.horsewhispers.com.au/feeding-clay-to-horses-and-other-animals/