/
Description
Conforms to the physical and chemical purity required by the British Pharmacopeia Standard.
Kaolin Clay is a naturally occurring clay substance that has developed from the chemical weathering of rocks in hot, moist climates. It is also called China clay, White clay, White Cosmetic clay, Hydrated Aluminum Silicate, Kaolinite clay amongst other names.
China clay is often white in color, especially in its pure natural state. However, the color may vary when it occurs in combination with other elements. Kaolin clay is soft powder and earthy in texture.
It has low capacity to shrink and swell, which means that it has low extent of expanding when wet and low capabilities of contracting when dry. Kaolin clay is inert (dose not react with other elements) at widely varying pH and temperature and it often exists in nature as a free element. Kaolin clay hardly dissolves in water, but form slurry suspension. Kaolin clay has very low cation-exchange aptitude (approximately between 1 and 15 mEq/100g).
Kaolin Clay Skin Benefits
Kaolin Clay has a long history in its beneficial effects on the skin.
1. Soothing effects
Kaolin clay has been traditionally used in caring, nourishing, and soothing different skin types. It is applied on the skin as a dusting powder or in a wet dressing and left for sometimes until dry then washed out. Kaolin clay works by reducing the production of sebum. This makes the oily skin to remains smooth and dry.
2. Detoxification
Kaolin clay is used as skin detoxifying and cleansing agent. The clay contains high content of silica that helps in removing the dead skin and makes it to regenerate. This also purifies and detoxes the skin and makes it moist. In addition, it has unique minerals and phyto-nutrients present, which helps in eliminating toxin and oil from the skin. To detoxify and clean the skin, kaolin clay is used as facial masks and body wraps, where thin layer is applied on the face or on the body and left to stay intact for averagely 20-30 minutes.
3. Skin Conditions
Kaolin clay can be used to treat and heal various skin conditions. such as soreness of the muscles, aches, and pain, inflammations, small and moderate cuts, bruises, boils cold sores, insect bites, and zosters. this is because kaolin clay enhances blood circulation to the skin. Kaolin is mild hence very efficient in improving circulations of the blood to the skin, which facilitate healing of the skin conditions.
Kaolin Clay Medicinal Health Benefits
1. Kaolin Clay has been effectively used to treat and heal soreness and some swellings in the oral mucosa (mouth) that result from radiation treatments.
2. In combination with other drug, Kaolin Clay can be used to treat some ulcers or inflammations of the larger intestine, such as ulcerative colitis. This is because kaolin clay provides a protective coating to the epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract, hence preventing damage cause by radiation drugs or the irritant hydrochloric acid that causes ulcers and inflammation.
3. Kaolin Clay can be used to treat various kinds of diarrhea-it is It works mainly by adsorbing the toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract.
4. White Clay can be used to manage spontaneous pneumothorax This is because the small crystals of kaolin act as an abrasion particularly on the pleura endothelial lining. This makes it produce pleurodesis, which successfully prevent recurrence of pneumothorax or pleural effusion.
5. It is used to induce blood clotting in diagnostic procedures, e.g. Kaolin clotting time
Other Uses
1. It is used as a food additive, in toothpaste and cosmetic formulations due to its beneficial effects as mention above.
2. In ceramics, it is the main component of porcelain; as a light diffusing material in white incandescent light bulbs; in paint to extend the titanium dioxide (TiO2) white pigment and modify gloss levels
3. For modifying the properties of rubber upon vulcanization; in adhesives to modify rheology.
4.As adsorbents in water and wastewater treatment;
5. In its altered metakaolin form, as a base component for geopolymer compounds
Side Effects of Kaolin Clay
1. Kaolin clay has few side effects and limited severe toxicities. This is mainly because it is not absorbed systematically. However, Kaolin Clay may cause lung (pulmonary) problems, such as pneumoconiosis in cases of prolonged exposure such as occupational contact
2. For those who eat China Clay caution should be taken because prolonged usage may lead to Low blood-hemoglobin level, a sign of anemia. Ingesting the white clay inhibits absorption of iron from foods. It inhibits absorption of nutrients.