Eating dirt? is this really what I think it is?

[deathmunkee]

http://www.herbalremedies.com/diead6oz.html


Diatomaceous Earth General Information
Diatomaceous Earth, or DE, is the fossilized remains of diatoms, which are hard shelled creatures found in marine and fresh waters. The shells are sharp-edged and tear insects up from the inside out until they are completely desiccated and therefore die. Humans, and animals such as cattle and pets, are large enough that they are not susceptible to the same damage as what is inflicted on insects. DE has been reported in the scientific literature to absorb methyl mercury, E. coli, endotoxins, viruses, including poliovirus, organophosphate pesticide residues, drug residues, and protein, perhaps even the proteinaceous toxins produced by some intestinal infections.

[Cerealbox Conspiracy]

According to wikipedia;
The absorbent qualities of diatomite can result in a significant drying of the hands, if handled without gloves. The saltwater (industrial) form contains a highly crystalline form of silica, resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe and a dust mask is recommended when working with it.

The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Food-grade diatomite generally contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with heat, causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form.

In the United States, the crystalline silica content in the dusts is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and there are guidelines for the maximum amounts allowable in the product and in the air near the breathing zone of workers.

It doesn't seem quite safe.

[Wowbagger]

If it is really just "dirt" or not, I don't know. But, it is scary what some people think is "safe". There are, actually, a lot of disturbing, creepy things being sold on that site. (Have you seen the "zappers"?)

What we need, in this world, is a better education system.

[ravdin]

At least they are explicit in their claim that the "zappers" have no effect whatsoever. I will take them at their word.

[DavidS]

It doesn't seem quite safe.
Inhaling dust isn't quite safe, whether it have the diatomaceous nature or not. Similarly, danger resides not in the hammer but in its application to skulls.

You're likely to put diatomaceous earth into your mouth daily; it's a common constituent of tooth pastes and polishes.

BTW: At least in the case of roaches, DE doesn't really "tear insects up from the inside out"; the sharp diatoms scratch through the exoskeloton's waxy coating. Then the dessication thing takes over.

[drapier]

Here's a passage describing one of the zapper products:


Dr Hulda Clark's Zapper Parasite Removal Information

The most common and well-known application for parasite removal is following Dr Hulda Clark's healing protocol. Ms Clark claims that zapping a patient can literally remove all parasites (virus, bacteria, fungi, etc) from the body.

For this application, the zapper is connected to two electrodes of some kind which are applied on the body. The current is then pulsed through the user's body.

Various electrode configurations are available. The options include:
Hand held electrodes
Wrist-bracelets

No matter the configuration used, the electrode is simply a means of transmitting the current through the body. One electrode acts as a negative pole, the other a positive, and your body completes the circuit.

Hulda Clark's treatment protocols have proven to heal countless zapper users worldwide. You may wish to read Hulda Clark's books on the topic to get a broad understanding of her logic principles.

I'm sure she has some interesting logic principles indeed.

[DRBUZZ0]

Um, you do realize that intestinal parasites such as worms or whatever are not that hard to get rid in general. This is assuming you go the road of modern medicine of course, but there are plenty of treatments that'll kill those critters no problem.

Actually, it;s not even that difficult to basically flush out and nearly steralize your gut and this can happen as a result of various conditions and/or broad spectrum antibiotics. It's not generally considered a good thing though. It can lead to irregulatiry, irritation, problems absorbing food and such, hence they tell you to eat active culture yougart or cheese or something.

But in any case...

There are easier/safer/less nasty ways to kill off any nasties in there.

[Pyrts]

Dirt eating is actually a fairly common practice among the Blacks in the rural South and in Texas. I came across a number of cases of it when I was doing some interviewing... apparently they would bake clay and crumble it and eat it (so it's not just grabbing handfulls of dirt from the field and consuming it.) The people reporting this practice ranged from mid-20's on up. It appeared to be a family practice... those interviewed had other members of the family who prepared and ate the clay.

It wasn't done to stave off hunger, but may have been a form of pica... eating to replace minerals that normally aren't in the diet.

Sorry.... didn't get any recipes for it.

[fuelair]

According to wikipedia;


It doesn't seem quite safe. DE isn't - it's tiny particles of glass. Dirt-eaters normally eat a clay soil not DE.

[Ysidro]

Dirt eating is actually a fairly common practice among the Blacks in the rural South and in Texas. I came across a number of cases of it when I was doing some interviewing... apparently they would bake clay and crumble it and eat it (so it's not just grabbing handfulls of dirt from the field and consuming it.) The people reporting this practice ranged from mid-20's on up. It appeared to be a family practice... those interviewed had other members of the family who prepared and ate the clay.

It wasn't done to stave off hunger, but may have been a form of pica... eating to replace minerals that normally aren't in the diet.

Sorry.... didn't get any recipes for it.

I remember reading about this awhile back. Very interesting practice. I wonder just how well the body can usefully absorb minerals found in clay.

I seem to vaguely recall (without any references, sorry) the practice could be traced to parts of Africa. Seems likely it migrated with slavery then.

Makes me wonder who came up with the concept of geophagy. Well, there's always salt I suppose....

[fuelair]

I remember reading about this awhile back. Very interesting practice. I wonder just how well the body can usefully absorb minerals found in clay.

I seem to vaguely recall (without any references, sorry) the practice could be traced to parts of Africa. Seems likely it migrated with slavery then.

Makes me wonder who came up with the concept of geophagy. Well, there's always salt I suppose....

http://geography.about.com/cs/culturalgeography/a/geophagy.htm :)

[LongFuzzy]

Dr. Hulda Regehr Clark, she can cure cancer!
www herbalremedies com/drhulregclar html

-LF