What is Bentonite?
Bentonite, named for clay bentonite deposits near Fort Benton, Montana, is a "living clay" with well-documented healing characteristics. In fact, bentonite has been used for thousands of years by humans and the animal kingdom alike.
Bentonite is a soft substance composed essentially of clay minerals of the smectite group. Its color ranges from white to light olive green, cream, yellow, earthy red, brown and sometimes sky blue when fresh but yellowing rapidly with exposure to air.
There are two basic types of bentonite depending on whether they contain sodium or calcium in the crystal lattice. Sodium bentonite is used industrially for its swelling characteristics. Calcium bentonite, know for its properties of absorption and adsorption, is largely used in the health industry.