Documentation of the use of clays as medicinal aids has been found in cultures as old as the Ancient Egyptians. It has been estimated that over 200 cultures have used clays for therapeutic purposes.

Today, with advances in science, the understanding of the benefits of clays has been drastically increased. Specific clay products can reduce the harmful effects of ammonia and urea in the atmosphere. In addition, high-quality clay products will absorb the moisture on surfaces to reduce the development of molds, bacteria and fungi. It is time to take a fresh look at clays and find out why they may be a useful addition to your management program.

Clays have been used in the animal industry for a variety of purposes, with the most common application being an absorbent for urea, ammonia and moisture. The efficacy of clays to bind these molecules is well documented through many research trials. The attraction of certain molecules to the clay is due to the electrical imbalance between the layers of the clay. This electrical imbalance attracts these molecules and holds them firmly between the layers, resulting in deactivation of the negative effects of urea and ammonia and the absorption of moisture.

Ammonia and urea are tightly bound to clay once these molecules are absorbed. This is due to the fact that the electrical imbalance, between the clay and the urea or ammonia, is great. When a large imbalance exists, there is a strong attraction to any molecule that has the appropriate electrical charge to balance the charge. Urea and ammonia are exactly what the clay can use to correct the imbalance. Once the layers of the clay are balanced in their charge, the clay will not release the molecules that balanced it. Therefore, the binding ability of clay to urea and ammonia is strong and virtually permanent.

Water, unlike urea and ammonia, can pass freely in and out of the layers of clay. The ability of water to balance the electrical imbalance of the clay is not as strong. Therefore, the clay will allow the water to pass in and out of the layers.

In addition, when certain clays absorb moisture, the chemical composition of the clay is not changed due to the addition of the water. If the atmospheric humidity is lower than the humidity within the clay, then the water will be re-released into the air. This allows the product to be used repeatedly, because there is no chemical change when the clay absorbs the moisture. Not all clays react in this way, and therefore it is extremely important to use the correct type of clay for the purpose of urea, ammonia and moisture absorption.

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Sheila Schils, Ph.D.
Animal Nutritional Consulting
sbschils@pressenter.com