on 23/12/2001 10:35 PM, John A. Stanley at [email protected] wrote: In article <00e601c18b69$0e634be0$4f3c1...@p3t1s3>, "nan" <[email protected]> wrote: >Hi, > >Can anyone tell me about bentonite?
Bentonite is a clay that comes from weathered volcanic ash. It has the smallest particle size of all clays and is extremely plastic. Because it is so plastic it can be added in small quantities to non-plastic porcelain clays to make them suitable for throwing without negatively impacting the color and firing properties. When mixed with water it creates a thick gel that water can not penetrate, so it is widely used as a waterproofing agent in wells and foundations. A suspension of bentonite in water, taken internally, is used as a cleansing/detoxifying agent in alternative medicine. John, would this be the black 'mud' seen in volcanic bubbling mud pools? I do know it's used by the ladies as a skin conditioner and even as a face pack with great results. Roger B
