If you don’t know about diatomaceous earth (DE), you’ve been missing out! It’s amazing and you’ll want to have this product in your home for a variety of benefits.
DE is a naturally occurring, soft, sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine off-white powder. It consists of fossilized remains of diatoms. The typical chemical composition of oven-dried diatomaceous earth is 80–90% silica, with 2–4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5–2% iron oxide.
DE has microscopic sharp edges around each particle. These sharp edges literally disembowel bacteria and harmful microorganisms within the body.
Uses and Benefits:
DE retains its traits as a stable particle even while in liquid, allowing it to fight free radical damage throughout the body.
Diatoms are some of the oldest living creatures on the planet. They have a unique chemical structure that makes them ideal for cleansing the body.
When ingesting diatomaceous earth, we need to use food grade. This is the one I always have on hand and have used this for many years now.
As you can see above, DE particles also have a unique honeycomb structure similar to the one found in charcoal. These particles help remove toxins from our bodies like heavy metals, parasites, and viruses.
Diatomaceous earth has a negative charge while heavy metals are positively charged. The diatomaceous earth attracts these particles, trapping them inside the honeycomb structure, then the body eliminates them. In addition, consuming DE on a regular basis (once a week or two) helps to prevent the absorption of heavy metals.
DE gets rid of parasites not only by dehydrating them, but also when the parasites ingest the DE it cuts them up from the inside.
Everyone has a parasitic load = a measure of the number and severity of the parasites. The interactions between intestinal microbial, immune system, and pathogens describe the human gut as a complex ecosystem, where all components play a relevant role in modulating each other to maintain a healthy gut biome.
Symptoms that the load is out of balance are:
- Fatigue
- Brain Fog
- Persistent digestive upset like bloating or gas
- Ongoing diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Acne
If your pets have worms or parasites, put 1/2 – 1 tsp. of DE in their food for a couple of days or until they are gone.
For livestock, check out this site.
In the case of viruses, the very strong negative charge of DE has a likeness for yeast, fungi, and viruses. Its cylindrical, hollow, shape, negative charge, and rough outside, are all suspected to play a role in its function. DE’s use in purifying drinking water has shown to absorb up to 80% of the virus. This is supported by studies like this one.
As a cleanse (including parasite/viruses: 1 tablespoon of DE to a glass of water or juice and drink once a day for 3-5 days. You can sip on it throughout the day if you prefer. This is a much better option than antibiotics – that disrupt the natural gut biome.
Cleaning the intestinal walls and digestive tract, will also reduces gas and bloating. Remember the gut is the first brain and disease starts in the gut.
It does have a slightly chalky texture. I struggled with this a bit in the beginning, but now I just drink mine in a small glass of water. If it bothers you, try it in juice or a smoothie.
DE also contains 80–90% silica. We are most commonly taught that calcium is the best mineral for bone health, however silica has the highest bone building, bone protecting and healing benefits. If you suffer from a bone fracture or degeneration, joint injury (all connective tissue) or disease like osteoporosis, diatomaceous earth is your best natural tool for recovery.
Diatomaceous earth is used as a source of silica, for treating high cholesterol levels, treating constipation, and for improving the health of skin, nails, teeth, bones, and hair because it helps form collagen in the body.
For silica benefits: 1 tbsp. of DE in a 1/2 gallon container. Let it settle to the bottom and take sips on it throughout the day. When the water gets about 3/4 empty, fill it with water – let it settle again and sip on. Change the DE every 3-6 months.
Pest control: If you have slugs or snails on your plants: sprinkle DE around the plant. If you have bugs on your plants, like white mites on tomato plants: dust the infested plants with the powder or mix it with water and use in a sprayer.
DE will help get rid of cockroaches, dust mites, bed bugs, ants, and even head lice. I spread mine around the outside of the house to deter bugs from coming in, but if they do, I spread it around the baseboards too.
You don’t want to get too much of this in your lungs, so when spreading or dusting this around, wear a mask.
In my opinion, diatomaceous earth is something we should all have in our arsenal of products at home – as you can see…. for so many reasons!
Wellness Workability 