What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth... it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but this natural wonder is actually an incredible natural health supplement. Organic, food grade Diatomaceous Earth has long been known for its gut health benefits, recommended by naturopaths for digestive support. But did you know that Diatomaceous Earth also makes an amazing ingredient in natural body care? From toothpaste to deodorant to dry shampoo, Diatomaceous Earth has so many uses and benefits for our inner and outer health.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth, also known as Fossil Shell Flour or Amorphous Silica, is an ingredient found in many natural health and beauty goodies. It's actually made from the super-fine, fossilised remains of microorganisms called diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. Diatomaceous Earth is naturally rich in Silica, a mineral needed by all mammals, and can come in many forms. When it becomes crystallised through extreme heat exposure (such as volcanic activity), it changes into Crystalline Silica. Crystalline Silica is the type of Diatomaceous Earth used to filter your swimming pool - it is not safe to ingest like food grade Diatomaceous Earth for humans is.¹

What is Diatomaceous Earth used for?

Food grade uses for Diatomaceous Earth are vast, thanks to its wide variety of unique properties. Up close, it looks like cylinders or honeycombs with holes. Diatomaceous Earth is known to have a negative charge - this means that, when passed through the body, it attracts, absorbs and traps bacteria with a positive charge, such as fungi, parasites and heavy metals. The good bacteria generally have a negative or neutral charge, so are left behind. Diatomaceous Earth is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic.¹

What are Diatomaceous Earth's benefits?

Thanks to its strong negative charge, Diatomaceous Earth is an incredible ingredient for gut health, as it essentially sweeps your system clean of bad bacteria when consumed. Diatomaceous Earth can be used to help treat parasites and worms in the digestive system, assist with waste removal, encourage btter immunity and promote increased nutrient absorption, benefitting overall health. Because it's rich in 15 minerals such as Silica, Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc, Diatomaceous Earth's internal benefits can also result in external beneits by encouraging strong hair growth and cna help to ease skin conditions such as acne. As it's a natural detoxifier and is super absorbent, Diatomaceous Earth, in its food grade form, is also ideal for soaking up excess oils from the skin, in particular the underarms and scalp, as well as extracting bad bacteria from the mouth and surface of teeth.¹ This wide variety of benefits means that Diatomaceous Earth powder is found in many different products, to benefit many different things!

How to use Diatomaceous Earth

Supercharged Food Love Your Gut Powder
The product that got me hooked on the benefits of Diatomaceous Earth in the first place is the bestselling Supercharged Food Love Your Gut Powder! This powder supplement is made from nothing but food-grade, naturopath-recommended Diatomaceous Earth. Completely flavourless and super-fine, this Diatomacous Earth powder can be mixed with water, added to juices and smoothies, sprinkled on cereal and salads or even used in cooking to help rid the digestive system of unwanted bacteria and support good gut health. The dosage of Diatomaceous Earth varies for everone, so start by taking a teaspoon daily, then work your way up to one to two tablespoons each day. One hour before eating is ideal.

This product is registered with the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, it is food grade and purely sourced from the USA.



My Magic Mud Whitening Toothpaste - Peppermint
Since Diatomaceous Earth is naturally absorbent, it's also great for gently and effectively cleaning plaque and bacteria from your teeth! The My Magic Mud Whitening Toothpaste in Peppermint contains Diatomaceous Earth as well as antibacterial Activated Coconut Shell Charcoal and purifying Bentonite Clay to help whiten, polish and remineralise the teeth and mouth with each brush. With a fresh, minty taste from Peppermint Oil, this vegan toothpaste is actually black, thanks to the Charcoal!



No Pong All-Natural Anti-Odourant - BICARB FREE
The No Pong All-Natural Anti-Odourant - BICARB FREE also contains Diatomaceous Earth, and in this instance it's used to for its ability to absorb moisture! This natural deodorant paste is designed to provide a breathable, antibacterial layer of protection from body odour, absorbing excess sweat without blocking sweat glands, with the help of other absorbent ingredients such as Beeswax and Coconut Oil. Ideal for sensitive skin and those who react to bicarb in natural deodorants, this gentle formula has a very subtle scent from a low concentration of essential oils.



Earths Purities Detox-A-Pit
Another great use of Diatomaceous Earth is in the Earths Purities Detox-A-Pit! It works like a clay mask for your underarms, formulated specifically to help improve the function of your armpits and assist with the transition from mainstream to natural deodorant. In this unique formula, absorbent Diatomaceous Earth joins forces with purifying Bentonite Clay, Activated Charcoal, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Colloidal Silver and Coconut Oil to help absorb impurities without blocking sweat glands while reducing the chances of redness, rashes and armpit odour.



Black Chicken Remedies Dry Shampoo
Making use of the absorbent properties of Diatomaceous Earth for the scalp, the Black Chicken Remedies Dry Shampoo is a perfect natural alternative to aerosol dry shampoo! Diatomaceous Earth, Bamboo, Corn Starch and Tapioca work to soak up excess moisture and oils on the scalp so you can go a few extra days between washes, while refreshing Clary Sage and Rosemary help to regulate the hair’s sebum production and discourage dandruff.

Source: ¹ Supercharged Food.