Global Uses of Healing Clay by Indigenous Cultures

Healing clay is also referred to as living clay, and it is recognized globally by indigenous people for what it is – minerals, nutrients, a detoxifier, and a healing substance. In fact, the use of healing clay has been a staple of life for many of the world’s most remote regions, while modern societies centuries ago utilized clays for a variety of purposes, as well. The Essenes, Greeks, Germans, Aborigines of Australia, Native Americans, French, Russians, and countless other cultures have a recorded history of taking advantage of Mother Nature’s gift of living clays. Let’s explore a few instances of these particular culture’s uses of natural healing clay.

 Aboriginal, Greeks, & Essenes Uses of Living, Healing Clay

Still appreciated by the offspring of the Australian Aborigines, the traditional uses of healing clay live on. Anthropological studies of this group set document the tradition of the Aboriginals to carry a small ball of clay in their knapsack. During a strenuous journey or time of famine, these balls of clay would be dipped in water and then consumed for sustenance. In addition to using the substance as a dietary staple, this group also understands the medicinal uses of clay, and it is applied to areas of soreness or injury much like our culture uses band-aids and muscle rub.

Considered the pioneer of medicine in the Roman Empire, the renowned Greek Dioscorides fully believed in the power of healing clay. He proudly proclaimed that the healing clay boasted “God-like intelligence” due to the widespread success he noted when using healing clay for therapeutic purposes.

Better known for authoring The Dead Sea Scrolls, the Essenes also used healing clay primarily for medical ailments. In fact, many anthropologists believe that this culture was inspired by the many references to the healing powers of clay within the Bible, which likely fostered their traditional uses of healing clay for daily ailments and overall well-being.

Native Americans: All-Around Users of Healing Clay

When food was not readily available, Native American clay users would head out to travel miles to the nearest clay source. Bringing back ample supplies to the tribe ensured that the group would have the sustenance necessary for survival. However, clay was not only consumed by the Natives, rather they used the mineral source for trading with other tribes, within numerous ceremonies, for protection from spirits, as inspirational war paint, and for purification purposes.

Concerning medical uses, the Natives were full proponents of healing clay’s benefits. For example the Quechua Indians, who are thought to be descendants of the mighty Incas, would dip their food into hydrated healing clay to prevent souring of the stomach. Today, this same Kaolin clay is sold on store shelves under the name Kaeopectate. Find out more about the Native’s Use of Healing Clay here.

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