How to Make Your Own Clay Wrap

Bentonite clay contains silica, aluminum, magnesium and iron.

Clay wraps are used in beauty salons for cleansing, unclogging pores and to help people slim down. Used frequently, these clay wraps might also help improve circulation, and possibly alleviate muscle and joint pain. Spas and salons make clay wraps with bentonite clay, a clay formed from volcanic ash and first discovered in Fort Benton, Wyoming, but which is found worldwide. Bentonite is reputed to aid in internal healing, as well, according to advocates. You can make a spa-quality clay wrap for the face or body, using just a few inexpensive ingredients you have at home or which you can obtain in health food or herb stores.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups of bentonite clay
• 1 cup sea salt
• 8 tbsp. olive oil
• Stockpot
• Wooden spoon or stick for stirring
• Towels or sheet
• Moisturizing skin lotion

Instructions

1. Prepare your ingredients for the clay wrap. For each cup of sea salt, you need 4 cups of bentonite clay, 8 tbsp. of olive oil and 8 cups of water. Some recipes do not contain olive oil, but olive oil can be helpful in the clay wrap, as the olive oil helps reduce the itchy feeling users feel when the clay begins to dry.

2. Pour the 8 cups of water and one cup of sea salt into the stockpot and bring to a boil. Do not cover. Mix until the salt is completely dissolved. After the water and sea salt have reached a full boil, reduce the heat to medium.

3. Add the bentonite clay and the olive oil, stirring continuously over medium heat. Add the clay gradually, stirring so that lumps do not form. Add more water gradually, to the mixture until you obtain the consistency of a paste. Typically, you need up to one cup of water, but if your mixture is too hard, add water until it is a spreadable paste. Remove the pan from the stove top once you obtain a paste.

4. Allow the clay paste to cool for 20 minutes. Dip a finger into the paste to check if the temperature is a little warmer than room temperature, as the clay should be warm when applied to the skin. If the temperature is unbearably warm, cool the clay for an additional 10 minutes so that it will not burn your skin.

5. Take a warm shower before you apply the wrap. Warm water opens your pores, so the clay wrap will be more effective when applied to your skin.

6. Massage the clay into your skin, performing a circular motion with your palm. Cover your body with small towels or a large sheet. Press the towels or the sheet to your body. As an alternative, dip the towels into the clay paste and wrap them around your body, starting with your feet and finishing with your hands. Buy plastic sheets to protect your bedding and lay down on these sheets while applying the clay wrap.

7. Keep the wraps on for 30 to 60 minutes. Immediately after you apply the wraps you will feel the warmth of the clay paste, your muscles will relax and you might sweat. As the clay starts to dry, your skin may feel itchy. Do not worry, as this is normal.

8. Clean your body of all traces of clay after removing the wrap. Scrub thoroughly and take a warm shower or bath, if you feel cold.

9. Apply a moisturizing skin lotion after the shower to moisturize and soften your skin.

References

• Healing Daily: Bentonite Clay for Internal Healing