Diatomaceous Earth: What You Need to Know

Diatomaceous Earth: What You Need to Know

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) has been on the market for many years now, especially for its industrial purposes of being used as a natural pesticide. But as of recently, it’s been more-often featured as a dietary supplement that can provide people with several different health benefits. Many DE testimonials from individuals who have used it said that it’s turned back the hands of time, providing them with younger-looking skin and even with a thicker head of hair. 

Diatomaceous Earth has a detoxifying ability that some have even insisted has helped them with their weight loss. For some of you, his may sound like a product that’s too good to be true, and you may be a bit skeptical? For those of you who want to find out more about this health benefits product that’s on the market, here’s what you need to know about Diatomaceous Earth.  Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade) Please remember to always check with your medical professional before adding or trying any product, herb, or supplement to your daily regimen.

Diatomaceous Earth: What You Need to Know

What is Diatomaceous Earth?    

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) comes from the fossilized remains of extremely tiny aquatic algae organisms that are called diatoms. Once they die, they sink to the bottom of their water source. Most of their skeletal remains consist of what is called silica, which can be found in today’s oceans, lakes, and streambeds. It may surprise you, but silica makes up at least 25% of the Earth’s crust.  

Silicon is a component of silica and reacts when introduced to oxygen and water, thus taking the form of silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide naturally occurs in one form or the other; amorphous and crystalline. Diatomaceous Earth is usually made of amorphous silicon dioxide, but some may contain small traces of crystalline silicon dioxide. Diatomaceous Earth is ground into a white sandy powder that closely resembles the consistency of baking flour.    

What’s it Used For? 

Many gardeners use DE as a natural type of pesticide that’s non-toxic, but as it turns out, it can be used for several other reasons, including tick and flea prevention with your pets, killing bedbugs, and water purification. Many farmers will add Diatomaceous Earth to their livestock feed because they believe that it kills the intestinal worms and parasites sometimes found in their livestock, but to this point, this theory remains unproven.  

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When DE is ingested by humans, it provides us with a number of health benefits that you may find interesting. You may even discover that this wellness product is right for you and wish you would have known about it sooner.  Please remember, I am not a doctor, nurse, or anyone in the medical field. Please check with your medical professional before using this product, and to sure it would be safe when combined with any medications you are using.

There have been many claims over the years about the health benefits of DE. Few studies have been conducted regarding the benefits to human health. We have friends who swear by the benefits they’ve seen in their own health due to the daily use of DE. Due to the minimal risk of using the food-grade product, I’d suggest trying it out and evaluating its use yourself.

Health Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth

In essence, Diatomaceous Earth works just like a liquid plumber does. It has been stated by some that it kills intestinal parasites and worms, while also removing heavy metals and harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria out of the intestines. Once your intestines have been cleaned, they can now absorb nutrients and minerals more effectively. Besides detoxifying the digestive system of harmful parasites, there are some other health benefits that users have claimed you may experience afterward: 

  • Removes heavier metals from the body, including lead, mercury, and cadmium 
  • Improvement in your hair and skin texture
  • Clears up acne 
  • Boost in energy 
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Lowers your bad cholesterol 
  • Promotes healthier bones and joints 
  • It May help with arthritis 
  • Reduces joint pain and inflammation 
  • Easier to lose weight
  • Helps to get rid of hair lice 

Detoxifying with Diatomaceous Earth

For those of you who are interested in trying DE to help in strengthening your bones and joints, or wanting to use it for detoxification, here’s how you can take it. It’s safe for both humans as well as other mammals, you may find these instructions for its use may possibly help you:

  • Be sure that you are taking Diatomaceous Earth on an empty stomach, that way it can work more effectively. Try to do so about an hour or two before or after eating. 
  • Take a teaspoon of it, mix it with a glass of water, and take it once a day. It’s important to stay hydrated, so drinking an extra glass of water afterward will improve its results. 
  • Over the next couple of weeks, slowly increase your dosage from one to two teaspoons of Diatomaceous Earth, until you’ve reached the maximum of one tablespoon. If this is still too much for you, you can also split the dosage by having half in the morning and the other half at night.  
  • Many people have a hard time drinking Diatomaceous Earth because of its texture in their mouths. If this is you, you can also add it to a shake, smoothie, or other thick drink so that it’s easier for you to ingest.  
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The Herxheimer Reaction

When people first begin taking Diatomaceous Earth, they may experience what is called the Herxheimer reaction, the body’s response when detoxifying itself from pathogens. As the parasites are being killed off by the immune system, they release too many toxins at once that can cause a number of different symptoms including headaches, constipation, rashes, flushes, and flu-like symptoms. You can start with less and see how you do. I’m not a doctor or anyone in the medical field. Always consult your doctor before using.

While you may think that these uncomfortable symptoms are taking place because the Diatomaceous Earth isn’t working as it should, it’s actually the other way around. The treatment is working well, so you should stick with it.        

Is Diatomaceous Earth Harmful?

You may have heard through the grapevine that ingesting Diatomaceous Earth can be extremely harmful and cause serious health risks. This is true in fact if you’re taking the industrial-grade DE that contains high amounts of crystalline silicon dioxide. But as I mentioned earlier, most Diatomaceous Earth that’s on the market today comes in amorphous silicon dioxide form, and should not be an issue as long as you don’t continually inhale the powder form over a long period of time. DE has also been known to cause skin irritation and dry skin. 

Diatomaceous Earth: What You Need to Know

Final Word

Diatomaceous Earth can provide you with several health benefits should you choose to take it.  You can find this dietary supplement at places like Walmart, at your local health food store, and you can even order it from Amazon. Are there any of you out there who have already begun taking Diatomaceous Earth? If so, what have you been experiencing and what health benefits have you noticed so far? I’d love to hear from you.  May God Bless this world, Linda.

Copyright Images: Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Deposit photos_277722080_s-2019

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6 Comments

  1. Take roughly equal amounts of Diatomaceous Earth and ordinary table salt. Grind the salt into a fine powder and mix the two. Drill small holes in the lid of a plastic container and add the mix. Sprinkle wherever you find bugs. (The salt dries up the coating on the bug eggs- then the eggs do not hatch.

  2. How do you deal with the herx reaction? What do you recommend for detox support? I herx really bad and can not handle the herxing. There must be something you can take to make life more comfortable while taking DE?

    1. Hi Katherine, please keep in mind I am not a doctor or anyone in the medical field. It may not be the right grade of acceptable Diatomaceous Earth. You may want to consult with your medical professional first. Use less, drink more water? I wish I could advise, I have not had a reaction. I’m sorry to hear you are. Linda

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