Clay

Related Terms

Akipula, aluminium silicate, anhydrous aluminum silicates, askipula, beidellitic montmorillonite, benditos, bioelectrical minerals, chalk, cipula, clay dirt, clay dust, clay lozenges, clay suspension products, clay tablets, colloidal minerals, colloidal trace minerals, fossil farina, humic shale, Indian healing clay, kaolin, kipula, mountain meal, NovaSil, panito del senor (Spanish), plant-derived liquid minerals, Terra sigillata, tirra santa, white clay, white mud.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


There is not enough scientific research to support a recommendation for play with modeling clay as an effective therapeutic intervention in children with constipation and encopresis (involuntary bowel movement).

 C


There is not enough scientific research to support a recommendation for play with modeling clay as an effective therapeutic intervention in children with constipation and encopresis (involuntary bowel movement).

 C


There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the medicinal use of clay by mouth in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Some clay preparations have been found to be similar to Kaolin? and Kaopectate?, which are used to treat gastrointestinal disturbances including diarrhea. However, overall, there are significant potential risks that accompany the use of clay, including intestinal blockage and injury as well as lead poisoning.

 C


There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the medicinal use of clay by mouth in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Some clay preparations have been found to be similar to Kaolin? and Kaopectate?, which are used to treat gastrointestinal disturbances including diarrhea. However, overall, there are significant potential risks that accompany the use of clay, including intestinal blockage and injury as well as lead poisoning.

 C


Clay lozenges have been used historically in the treatment of mercuric chloride poisoning and were officially mentioned in several European pharmacopoeias, including the Royal College, until the middle 19th Century. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the use of clay by mouth for poisoning at this time, as there is a risk that the clay itself may contain contaminants.

 C


Clay lozenges have been used historically in the treatment of mercuric chloride poisoning and were officially mentioned in several European pharmacopoeias, including the Royal College, until the middle 19th Century. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the use of clay by mouth for poisoning at this time, as there is a risk that the clay itself may contain contaminants.

 C


Aflatoxins are toxic substances from the fungus Aspergillis flavus. This fungus infects peanuts, and ingestion of aflatoxins from peanuts and cereals (primarily in warm and humid regions) has been associated with liver cancers in humans and multiple cancers in animals. Phyllosilicate clay has been shown to adhere to aflatoxins in laboratory study, and HSACS clay in animal diets may diminish or block exposure to aflatoxins. However, the risks of chronic clay exposure likely do not justify the potential benefit.

C


Aflatoxins are toxic substances from the fungus Aspergillis flavus. This fungus infects peanuts, and ingestion of aflatoxins from peanuts and cereals (primarily in warm and humid regions) has been associated with liver cancers in humans and multiple cancers in animals. Phyllosilicate clay has been shown to adhere to aflatoxins in laboratory study, and HSACS clay in animal diets may diminish or block exposure to aflatoxins. However, the risks of chronic clay exposure likely do not justify the potential benefit.

C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the safe use of clay.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
When taken together, clay may inhibit the absorption of drugs such as cimetidine (Tagamet?).
Kaolin has been shown to reduce the bioavailability of quinine in laboratory study.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Feldman PC, Villanueva S, Lanne V, et al. Use of play with clay to treat children with intractable encopresis. J Pediatr 1993;122(3):483-488.
Fredj G, Farinotti R, Salvadori C, et al. [Topical digestive drugs with a clay base. Influence on the absorption of cimetidine]. Therapie 1986;41(1):23-25.
Gonzalez JJ, Owens W, Ungaro PC, et al. Clay ingestion: a rare cause of hypokalemia. Ann Intern Med 1982;97(1):65-66.
Love RG, Waclawski ER, Maclaren WM, et al. Risks of respiratory disease in the heavy clay industry. Occup.Environ.Med 1999;56(2):124-133.
Montoya-Cabrera MA, Hernandex-Zamora A, Portilla-Aguilar J, et al. [Fatal lead poisoning caused by the ingestion of lemonade from glazed clay chinaware]. Gac Med Mex 1981;117(4):154-158.
Obialo CI, Crowell AK, Wen XJ, et al. Clay pica has no hematologic or metabolic correlate in chronic hemodialysis patients. J Ren Nutr 2001;11(1):32-36.
Pariente EA, De La Garoullaye G. [A multicenter comparative study of a mucilage (Karaya gum + PVPP) versus clay in functional intestinal disorders]. Med Chir Dig 1994;23(3):193-199.
Phillips TD, Sarr AB, Grant PG. Selective chemisorption and detoxification of aflatoxins by phyllosilicate clay. Nat Toxins 1995;3(4):204-213.
Phillips TD. Dietary clay in the chemoprevention of aflatoxin-induced disease. Toxicol Sci 1999;52(2 Suppl):118-126.
Severance HW Jr, Holt T, Patrone NA, et al. Profound muscle weakness and hypokalemia due to clay ingestion. South Med J 1988;81(2):272-274.
Wang JS, Luo H, Billam M, et al. Short-term safety evaluation of processed calcium montmorillonite clay (NovaSil) in humans. Food Addit Contam 2005 Mar;22(3):270-9.