Heilerde

Healing earth is an ancient remedy that - rediscovered - is used more frequently today. This was already used in the age of Roman and Greek antiquity. Already in ancient Egypt, the mud of the Nile was used in musculoskeletal disorders. The famous physician of antiquity, Hippocrates, gave young mothers healing earth to cleanse them internally. Hildegard von Bingen also used various types of earth in her therapies. Many species of animals instinctively consume soil to feed themselves with minerals and better digest their food.

contents

Ingredients and effect
External application
Cosmetic application
Internal application
Dosage and intake
Healing clay bath
Powder, capsule, granules, paste

Ingredients and effect

Many years ago, the four elements of earth, water, fire and air were already known in natural medicine. The earth was the center of attention and was used as therapy in the form of a healing substance. The well-known pastor Sebastian Kneipp not only used water in his therapies, but also clay, for example in skin diseases. Adolf Just, a well-known German naturopath, recommended that loess be used internally. Emanuel Felke, his pupil, continued to study it intensively and above all succeeded in applying healing clay. He was followed by the call of the "clay pastor". When Felke was a child, he saw a dog, badly injured, rolling in clay. To his astonishment, his wounds healed after a few days.

Earth, more precisely, clay, healing earth, loess or mud are still known today for their healing properties and are used to treat a wide variety of ailments or illnesses. The term healing earth is even to be found in the medical dictionary "Pschyrembel".

Healing earth consists of pure loess, originated in the ice age. Depending on the mining area, the ingredients differ slightly. However, this "healthy soil" is generally rich in minerals and trace elements. It contains silica, calcium, potassium, aluminum, magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, lithium - just to mention a few important ingredients. The fine, dust-like, loose material is dried, ground and sieved. Whether applied internally or externally, the healing earth must be germ-free and free of any contamination, which is ensured by a drying process at 130 ° C.

Healing earth applied internally, the high absorption capacity owes its effect. So the earth can bind toxins, pathogens, gas, excess bile acids, cholesterol, dietary fats and fluids. The smaller the individual grains are, the larger the overall surface becomes and the more receptive it is. In order to prevent medication from being bound and its effects diminished, the intake should take place with a time delay of between one and two hours.

Healing earth, when applied externally, has anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic, itching, drying and soothing. Bacteria and wound secretions are also bound. If it dries on the skin, it creates a suction effect, as a result of which, for example, an inflammatory effusion is transported away from the inside to the outside. In addition, the metabolism in the affected area is stimulated, which stimulates the removal of slags and the supply of oxygen.

Used both internally and externally, the list for the application of the healing powder is very long. If the symptoms are quite unclear and / or the symptoms are severe, a doctor should definitely be consulted.

External application

The external application of healing earth in the form of envelopes and compresses differs in warm or cold. Warm pads increase blood circulation, relax the muscles and relieve the pain. Cold applications have a vasoconstrictive effect (contracting the blood vessels), relieve pain and reduce the metabolism. Whether cold or warm is used, is not always based on the type of complaints, but also on the feeling. If the affected people long for a certain temperature, it should definitely be given.

Heilerde, which is also medically approved, is always used. The healing powder is mixed with cold or warm water to a thick paste, applied directly to the affected area and covered with a cloth. Another option is to spread a damp cotton cloth with the porridge, which is then placed on the skin, covered with a dry cloth and possibly wrapped with a woolen cloth. Also, the porridge can be applied as a very thin pad with a brush on the skin, for example, in the face.

For all healing earth applications, it can be said that if the symptoms worsen, the soil is washed off and a doctor must be consulted.

For inflammation in the musculoskeletal system, such as tendonitis, rheumatic complaints, bruises, bruises or arthrosis, a cold healing clay pad is recommended. In case of abscesses or suppurative inflammation of the skin, a cold-wrap experiment should also be recommended. This should remain on the painful area for about half an hour and the application can be performed several times a day. It is important to pay attention to your own feelings. If the envelope is uncomfortable, it should be removed.

Warm compresses are preferred over lumbago, muscle tension, hardening, chronic inflammation, and spinal pain.

Further areas of application for the external use of the healing earth are insect bites, allergic skin irritations, neurodermatitis and psoriasis. Wraparound wraps increase blood circulation and boost tissue metabolism, which can have a positive effect on the treatment of cellulite. The brown powder is also used dry. For example, to dab mouthfeel ragazes (torn corners of the mouth). Even with smaller, open wounds this may be sprinkled, but only if the injury is covered with a gauze bandage.

Face masks with healing clay are mainly used for cosmetic purposes. Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com

Cosmetic application

External application also has its place in cosmetics, such as oily, impure skin. A porridge is mixed with cold water and applied to the face, eyes and lips are left out. This face mask, when completely dried, should be removed with lukewarm water. The skin is supplied with blood and thus the metabolism is stimulated, giving the impulse for self-healing. The best time of day is the evening. The application can still work overnight. Any redness will return until the next morning. If an unpleasant feeling of tension develops after the application, the face is supplied with a high-quality jojoba or evening primrose oil. Single larger pimples are dabbed with some healing clay paste and repeated several times a day.

Healing earth is also used for exfoliation. A thin slurry is applied, the powder dries and is then rubbed off with a damp washcloth.

Hair and scalp also benefit from an application with the healing substance. Especially with greasy hair and dandruff this can help. A porridge is placed on scalp and hair and massaged. Depending on the greasiness, the whole thing can take up to twenty minutes, preferably wrapped in a terry towel. This is then rinsed with lukewarm water. A shampoo is not necessary. Also the hair washing with healing clay water is possible. The naturally pure loess binds excess sebaceous secretions, opens the ducts of the glands and thus counteract dandruff. The shine returns to the hair.

Internal application

The large absorption surface of the healing earth, which results from the dust-fine, small granules, makes an application possible for the discharge. This fine soil can absorb toxins, cholesterol and fat in the intestine, bind them and then release them naturally from the body. This is a simple but effective method, used for example during a spring cure.

In case of diarrhea, the drinking of healing clay water stops the fluid loss, binds the toxins in the intestine and brings them to the excretion. In this case, however, the healing earth must be used more frequently. However, in case of severe and / or prolonged diarrhea, possibly with the addition of blood, it is essential to see a doctor.

But even with constipation (constipation), this particular earth can bring relief. The effect is based on the fact that the very small particles of the earth act as a kind of massage in the intestine. However, it is important that you take enough liquid and that the single dose is no more than half a teaspoon.

Intestinal rehabilitation is supported by the use of healing clay, as it has a particularly positive effect on the intestine. Here is also the largest part of the human immune system. This means that a "healthy gut" usually also results in a healthy immune system.

The earthy powder contains, as already mentioned, a lot of minerals. These contribute to the neutralization of excess stomach acid. Digestive problems such as bloated stomach, heartburn, mild stomach ache, irritable and irritable bowels also respond quite well to the intake of this powder. In addition, a body wrap with healing clay is recommended. Complaints that get worse or last for more than a few days are in the hands of a doctor.

When you lose weight, healing clay also helps water as it can bind food fats in the intestine. This healthy powder also has a high silica content, which benefits connective tissue, hair and nails. Healing earth can also be used to gargle. This helps, for example, for sore throat and bad breath as well as mouthwash for gingivitis or oral mucosal inflammation. For this purpose, concentrated healing water is used.

Dosage and intake

When dosing both in internal or external application should be traded in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.

Concentrated healing water is mixed with 250 milliliters of water with two teaspoons of powder. This is the daily dose that is stirred before use, always with wooden or plastic spoons. In the milder form, the water is not whisked before drinking. The earth settles and minerals remain dissolved in the water. This form of drinking is suitable, for example, for detoxifying, with the more concentrated variant being used for gargling or mouthwash. An extra glass of water should always be at hand, either drunk afterwards or rinsed to the mouth, to eliminate the unpleasant "crunching" between the teeth.

Internal use is usually recommended twice daily, in the morning sober and in the evening before bedtime, in acute cases more often. At mealtimes, keep one hour apart so that no vitamins are bound and excreted. If healing clay is drunk, this should be done in small sips.

For external application, a thick or thinner porridge is usually mixed with warm or cold water or, depending on the indication, with chamomile tea, horsetail tea or vinegar water and placed directly on the skin or a cloth. For smaller areas, the healing earth slurry becomes thicker, but thinner for larger areas. Most of the time it is covered with a linen cloth. Normally, the overlay is not removed until it has dried. However, if the application feels uncomfortable, if itching or other symptoms occur, the soil should be washed off immediately.

For internal use: The more acute the symptoms, the more often the intake is required. However, the stated maximum dose and the duration of use should not be exceeded, otherwise the small intestine could become too defatted.

Healing clay bath

Healing clay can, when brought into the bath water, promote blood circulation, quench the itch and at the same time provide the skin with important minerals. For this purpose, while the water enters the tub, successively added about eight tablespoons of healing earth. Since this is a spa, the duration of fifteen to twenty minutes should not be exceeded. Then it is showered and abfrottiert, which additionally supports the blood circulation. Then a little rest is announced. An additional peeling effect is achieved by the powder is not immediately removed, but first dried a little and then washed with a damp cloth or showered off. Partial baths are also possible. So are needed for the feet two to three tablespoons, for a sitz bath five tablespoons. The bathtub or the washing trough should be cleaned with a suitable cleaning agent after bathing so that the healing clay leaves no traces. These spas can be performed up to three times a week as long as there are no circulatory problems.

Powder, capsule, granules, paste

Above all, the healing earth is known as powder. This is available from fine to micro fine, loose or in bags. It is intended for internal and external use. For people who do not want to take healing clay in powder form, there are capsules. Especially for traveling this is a good alternative. Healing soil granules, especially in functional gastrointestinal complaints, is another variant. This is swallowed whole with plenty of liquid in the form of tea or water.

Facial masks exist for cosmetic treatment, consisting of healing clay and various oils, such as soybean oil or almond oil. Also for external use is a ready healing clay paste available, which is not mixed, but ready to use. (Sw)