French clay contains minerals and oxides that some believe to be an effective treatment of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are the inflammation and swelling of veins around the anus and/or lower rectum. It is often a very painful condition, but it is generally not a serious health threat. Many remedies and cures are available for hemorrhoids, many of which are medicated creams and ointments that can be applied externally, such as the Preparation H line of products or Tucks medicated wipes. There are also lesser known herbal remedies, such as French clay,that contain minerals and oxides that some believe to be an effective treatment of hemorrhoids.
Clinical Research
Although there is no clinical research that proves the efficacy of using French clay as a treatment for hemorrhoids, a 2008 study by the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University found that French green clay does contain the minerals 1Md illite and Fe-smectite that can affect pH and oxidation states and help weaken the bacteria that cause Buruli ulcers. While hemorrhoids are not caused by bacteria, the study acknowledged the need for more research for the use of clay since it does contain properties that may be useful for treating other conditions.
Natural Russia French Clays
One company that specifically markets French clay as a treatment for hemorrhoids is a London-based company called NaturalRussia.com. Among their line of clays is one called French White Kaolin Clay. The company says the clay is also often referred to by a number of different names, including ceramic clay, China clay, white cosmetic clay, and white kaolinite. In any case, the company says it purchases the clay from "a trusted manufacturer in the South of France". The clay is sold as a fine white powder that has been purified and sun-dried. Natural Russia says it is the mildest of the six clays it sells and works well on delicate skin. Besides the company's claim that French white kaolin can help quickly heal hemorrhoids, it claims that it can also be used as a treatment for ulcers, infected wounds, burns, sunburn, acne, skin rashes, and a variety of other afflictions.
Other Clays
Natural Russia also markets five other types of French clays, including:
• French Green Montmorillonite (also sometimes referred to as green healing clay, Montmorillonite, bentonite, and alumo-silicate smectite)
• French Green Illite Clay (also sometimes referred to as French green clay, green illite, and marine clay)
• French Red Illite Clay
• French Yellow Illite Clay
• French Pink Illite Clay (also sometimes referred to as French rose clay)
Natural Russia claims that all of these clays except for the French Pink Illite can help heal hemorrhoids.
French clay is sold by numerous other online stores, but most do not specifically market the products as a treatment for hemorrhoids.
Tags: treatment hemorrhoids, Illite Clay, Natural Russia, also sometimes, also sometimes referred, French clay