Diatomaceous Earth for your Family, Home, and Homestead

[shadowstalker]

Diatomaceous Earth for your Family, Home, and Homestead (http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/01/diatomaceous-earth-homestead.html)

What Exactly is Diatomaceous Earth?

I thought you’d never ask!

Diatomaceous earth technically comes from the cell walls of fossilized single-cell diatoms – essentially, it’s a fossil, ground into a very fine powder. There are two general types of diatomaceous earth: food grade and industrial grade. While industrial grade is toxic to humans and pets, food grade diatomaceous earth is non-toxic and very beneficial on multiple levels, and is the type I’ll be discussing with you here today.

What do you think guys?

[anonymous]

my privacy standards have changed - 5/10/16 - apologies for the many edits of public comments

[Spirithorse]

What a coincidence that you created this thread, Shadowstalker.

I just came across Diatomacious Earth a couple of weeks ago. A friend told me that her brother's wife had been diagnosed with cancer, given only 2-3 months to live.

She didn't want to be treated with Chemo and had basically given up. Someone suggested to her to try Diatomacious Earth, she did it as she'd noting to loose anyway, within months her tumors had almost completely disappeared. A fact that left her Doctors speechless...
Similar story with a dog that had been cured from cancer by feeding DE to him.

I felt really excited about this stuff, and although in fairly good health, I ordered some Diatomacious Earth. It has a number of applications, predominantly cleansing and detoxifying qualities.
It speeds up digestion, works on Candida and cleanses deposits from the gut.

I just love this stuff, have about 3 heaped teaspoons in a glass of fruit juice in the morning.

One thing to be aware of though - it's a very fine powder and one must avoid breathing in the dust.

[TargeT]

I use the stuff in my pool, never thought about eating it... haha

does it do the same thing it does to bugs, just lacerates the bad stuff? I guess this is kinda like Radiation Hormesis, use something that damages the bad stuff but not us?


looks like i have some reading to do.. Thanks!

[Eagle Scout]

Great Stuff it is..................Food Grade Quality Only...........for pets and animals and people and I put it in all of my 5 gallon food grade buckets for food storage........1/4 cup each bucket and it kills bugs under the sink real well too. I add it to whole grains or just boxes or packages of food in the buckets.

You can even get books on how to use it.

Eagle Scout

ps. I just recieved another 100 lbs of it recently.........good for the other side I believe which is almost here.

[anonymous]

my privacy standards have changed - 5/10/16 - apologies for the many edits of public comments

[TargeT]

Im sold.. I can use it to deworm my horses and dogs too, no brainer!

I'm buying 20lbs from here (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00025H2PY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00025H2PY&linkCode=as2&tag=thepraihome-20)

[anonymous]

my privacy standards have changed - 5/10/16 - apologies for the many edits of public comments

[skyflower]

Thank you for this info! I have been looking for something simple for detoxing, and this sounds great. I won't need to take silica supplements separately. :)

[DeDukshyn]

It's just silica with a few trace minerals is it not? We have tons of silica at work - used as a flow agent for sticky dry powder formats (food grade, obviously). I wonder if there is much difference?

The stuff is messy as all hell, and will absorb moisture straight out of you hands when handling it. The moisture absorbing properties are phenomenal; but I imagine this is how it works against insects and parasites ...

Never heard of DE before, the silica we use at work is made from quartz sand.

I wonder if it works on ants ... ?

[DeDukshyn]

I will mention, as with many products that cause 'cleansing', you may experience some initial symptoms such as skin breaking out etc... cleansing purging type of stuff. There, that's what my Mom says! LOL

I don't think this would give that "type" of cleansing, for those effects the cleansing has to be done within the cells, and then excreted through the cells themselves - causing stinkiness and potential skin issues - since it is the skin that usually tries to rid these types of released toxins.

However, that said, I think this might give your intestines a good flushing ... knowing the physical properties of silica. Hair and nails may also benefit a little ...

[Carmen]

The mineral lick I give to all my livestock, contains diatomaceous earth as a natural wormer. The animals love it. It has sea salt and seaweed, calcium and other stuff in it to. Keeps my animals healthy. Must say I hadn't thought of taking it myself!! Doh!

[Conchis]

Great for chickens to take their dust bathes in as well. Kills mites that infect them. I keep a 50 lb box out in the shop. I have yet to try it on myself. So folks here have done it huh? I might have to give it a go.

[kirolak]

I must warn any exzema sufferers that it is very drying; it made my old dog's skin condition a great deal worse. But it seems to work for slimming (taken internally) And one must be careful not to dust it near the eyes; it really can harm the cornea as each little "piece" is sharp.

[anonymous]

my privacy standards have changed - 5/10/16 - apologies for the many edits of public comments

[enfoldedblue]

I have been taking DE for a while and have become a fan. My nails are very solid, skin feels great, joints feel better and inside I feel cleaner...possibly even more energy.

[Conchis]

How much and how do you take it enfoldedblue?

[enfoldedblue]

I started with a tsp and now take about a tablespoon. It is easy to take and doesn't really taste like much. It is important to keep water levels up as it can be dehydrating.

[Flash]

Shadowstalker, did this make an impact on your thyroidian functions or not?

[shadowstalker]

Shadowstalker, did this make an impact on your thyroidian functions or not?
I have not tried it yet due to lack of funds

[DeDukshyn]

I will mention, as with many products that cause 'cleansing', you may experience some initial symptoms such as skin breaking out etc... cleansing purging type of stuff. There, that's what my Mom says! LOL

I don't think this would give that "type" of cleansing, for those effects the cleansing has to be done within the cells, and then excreted through the cells themselves - causing stinkiness and potential skin issues - since it is the skin that usually tries to rid these types of released toxins.

However, that said, I think this might give your intestines a good flushing ... knowing the physical properties of silica. Hair and nails may also benefit a little ...

Everytime me and my girl start back taking it... we both 'break out'... maybe a coincedence? Ehh...

Are you sure you got the food grade stuff? :P I understand exactly the various mechanisms a body can detox. The majority of cases or anecdotes of people beginning to supplement with silica will notice an almost immediate improvement of the overall health of their skin specifically, including any outbreak (and hair and nails, but that comes later).

If you want a proper cellular detox, high dose (3 gram+ / day) supplementation of MSM (methylsulphonylmethane aka organic sulfur), along with calcium d-glucarate (aka D-glucurate) daily to boost your phase two enzyme process -- the actual process your body uses to detox from the blood and organs.

MSM can be had in reasonable quantities in many sprouted vegetables - especially broccoli sprouts, and any of you stinkier vegetables (cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale) - but particularly their sprouts. These also contain Sulfurophanes - another good form of organic sulfur which contributes to the body's detox. Although it should be noted that any amount of cooking will break down these molecules and render them useless -- they have to be eaten raw.

DE does also contain trace other minerals from the spec sheets I saw, maybe one of those is fancy .. who knows, but it looks just like a very natural form of silica supplement for the most part.

[anonymous]

my privacy standards have changed - 5/10/16 - apologies for the many edits of public comments

[shadowstalker]

How does this stuff, fair with proscription meds versus holistic meds?
Does anyone know?

[T Smith]

I took a tablespoon of DE in water every day for a couple months to detox for high barium levels in my blood and slightly elevated aluminum. After a few months when I tested again the barium and aluminum were way down.

As an interesting tangent, when I first asked my family practitioner to write a script to test for heavy metals she thought it was an odd request and asked if I had been specifically exposed. Of course we are all exposed, and here in the northeast United States chemtrailing is very heavy. I told her my concern was more a general environmental concern and nothing “specific”, which prompted a vacuous stare. She did write the script, though, per my request.

When the results came back from the lab my doctor consulted an outdated CDC handbook from the 60s or 70s in her office library (as a small family practitioner in a small town she is still somewhat old school) and nearly fell out of her chair when she saw my barium levels were approximately 3 times the safe level (per the CDCs old data). She was quite alarmed by these results and immediately scheduled a follow-up appointment. What was the source of exposure? Did I work in a factory? Had I been in a mine? Was I recently in a coal plant? And so on. She was quite worked up by it and even contacted the CDC.

The next day, after the CDC got back to her, I found myself in the hands of an entirely different doctor. She had learned, from the CDC, that the old levels were out-of-date and no longer viable. The CDC had recently revised the safe levels of barium in the blood, upped by approximately threefold, and thus my doc shrugged off my test results and was completely okay with it. Just like that. She didn't even question it. I was now within normal parameters. Instant reality, per the CDC.

We are indeed living in interesting times.

The DE prescription was my own remedy, per my own research, and it really worked.

[shadowstalker]

I wonder what other things in the CDC books have been upped and now considered normal now,
By how much are our bodies truly dying and but what means and what would not have been acceptable 40 years.
How much Have our body truly adapted in such little time.
Are we dying or adapting?
Either way is this a good things..

[skyflower]

I have started taking DE, and it's been almost two weeks. The first week I was miserable, feeling very tired. I am up to a tablespoon now, and back to my normal energy levels.

[blufire]

I have used Diatomaceous earth for many years . . . . solely as a pesticide.

Diatomaceous earth has zero benefits or ability to heal or cure anything except eliminating parasites it comes in DIRECT contact.

I feed it to my animals for a period of a week or so every 3 months to eliminate any parasites they may have in their digestive systems. DE has to come directly in contact with the parasite or insect in order to kill it. DE cuts microscopic abrasions in the parasite therefore causing it literally to dry out or dehydrate to the point it dies.

ANY contact with mucous membranes or tissue will also be cut, dried out and inflamed (eyes, inside your nose, esophagus, lungs when inhaled, the lining of your stomach and intestinal tract, etc . . . . )

Humans can ingest DE IF they think they have digestive tract parasites as a natural dewormer or for parasite removal . . . . .BUT only if the DE can become in direct contact with the bug.

I put trays of DE where my chickens go in and out of the hen house and where they take ‘dust baths’ to eliminate lice and mites.

I ‘dust’ the hen house, my dogs bedding and periodically put it on my, dogs, cats, cows and horses to eliminate fleas, mites, lice.

I use copious amounts in the garden as a natural pesticide. Simply use a hand operated ‘duster’ and dust the foliage of all plants. I always where a dust mask and protective glasses.

I HIGHLY suggest NOT taking large amounts of DE or for ANY extended amount of time.

It literally will cut thousands of microscopic abrasions into the lining and mucous layer throughout your digest tract. This type of inflammation and irritation will then cause other digestive tract disorders and problems. Prolonged exposure can cause systemic dehydration.

Below is an article about DE. There is much info about this on the web. Please read several articles from different sources before using any kind of product.



http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html

What is diatomaceous earth?

Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Today, silica deposits are mined from these areas.

Silica is very common in nature and makes up 26% of the earth's crust by weight. Various forms of silica include sand, emerald, quartz, feldspar, mica, clay, asbestos, and glass. Silica does not exist naturally in its pure form. It usually reacts with oxygen and water to form silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide has two naturally occurring forms: crystalline and amorphous. Most diatomaceous earth is made of amorphous silicon dioxide. However, it can contain very low levels of crystalline silicon dioxide. The first pesticide products containing silicon dioxide (diatomaceous earth) were registered in 1960 to kill insects and mites.

What are some products that contain diatomaceous earth?
Products containing diatomaceous earth are most commonly dusts. Other formulations include wettable powders and pressurized liquids. Currently, there are over 150 products registered for use inside and outside of buildings, farms, gardens, and pet kennels. Some products can also be used directly on dogs and cats. Diatomaceous earth products are registered for use against bed bugs, cockroaches, crickets, fleas, ticks, spiders, and many other pests.

There are thousands of non-pesticide products that contain diatomaceous earth. These include skin care products, toothpastes, foods, beverages, medicines, rubbers, paints, and water filters. The Food & Drug Administration lists diatomaceous earth as "Generally Recognized as Safe". "Food grade" diatomaceous earth products are purified. They may be used as anticaking materials in feed, or as clarifiers for wine and beer.

Always follow label instructions and take steps to minimize exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If you wish to report a pesticide problem, please call 1-800-858-7378.

How does diatomaceous earth work?
Diatomaceous earth is not poisonous; it does not have to be eaten in order to be effective. Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the process. It remains effective as long as it is kept dry and undisturbed.

How might I be exposed to diatomaceous earth?
People can be exposed to diatomaceous earth if they breathe in the dust, eat it, get it on their skin, or get it in their eyes. For example, when applying the dust or when entering a treated area before the dust has settled. Exposures can also occur if products are accessible to children or pets. Exposure can be limited by reading and following label directions.

What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to diatomaceous earth?
If breathed in, diatomaceous earth can irritate the nose and nasal passages. If an extremely large amount is inhaled, people may cough and have shortness of breath. On skin, it can cause irritation and dryness. Diatomaceous earth may also irritate the eyes, due to its abrasive nature. Any dust, including silica, can be irritating to the eyes.

What happens to diatomaceous earth when it enters the body?
When diatomaceous earth is eaten, very little is absorbed into the body. The remaining portion is rapidly excreted. Small amounts of silica are normally present in all body tissues, and it is normal to find silicon dioxide in urine. In one study, people ate a few grams of diatomaceous earth. The amount of silicon dioxide in their urine was unchanged.

After inhalation of amorphous diatomaceous earth, it is rapidly eliminated from lung tissue. However, crystalline diatomaceous earth is much smaller, and it may accumulate in lung tissue and lymph nodes. Very low levels of crystalline diatomaceous earth may be found in pesticide products.

Is diatomaceous earth likely to contribute to the development of cancer?
When mice were forced to breathe diatomaceous earth for one hour each day for a year, there was an increase in lung cancers. When rats were fed silica at a high dose for two years, there was no increase in cancer development.

Most diatomaceous earth is made of amorphous silicon dioxide. However, it can contain very low levels of crystalline silicon dioxide. Amorphous diatomaceous earth has not been associated with any cancers in people.

Has anyone studied non-cancer effects from long-term exposure to diatomaceous earth?
In a rabbit study, researchers found no health effects after applying diatomaceous earth to the rabbits' skin five times per week for three weeks. In a rat study, researchers fed rats high doses of diatomaceous earth for six months. They found no reproductive or developmental effects. In another rat study, the only effect was more rapid weight gain. That study involved 90 days of feeding rats with a diet made of 5% diatomaceous earth.

When guinea pigs were forced to breathe air containing diatomaceous earth for 2 years, there was slightly more connective tissue in their lungs. When researchers checked before the 2-year mark, no effects were found.

A very small amount of crystalline diatomaceous earth may be found in pesticide products. Long-term inhalation of the crystalline form is associated with silicosis, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. The bulk of diatomaceous earth is amorphous, not crystalline. The amorphous form is only associated with mild, reversible lung inflammation.

Are children more sensitive to diatomaceous earth than adults?
Children may be especially sensitive to pesticides compared to adults. However, there are currently no data to conclude that children have an increased sensitivity specifically to diatomaceous earth.

What happens to diatomaceous earth in the environment?
Silicon is a major component of diatomaceous earth. It is the second most abundant element in soils. It's a common component of rocks, sands, and clays. It is also abundant in plants and plays a role in their growth and development. Due to its chemical makeup, diatomaceous earth is not degraded by microbes or by sunlight. Also, it does not emit vapors or dissolve well in water.

The ocean contains vast amounts of diatomaceous earth. Many marine organisms use it to build their skeletons.

Can diatomaceous earth affect birds, fish, or other wildlife?
Diatomaceous earth is practically non-toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. It is commonly encountered by birds and other wildlife, and it's not known to be harmful. However, no toxicity evaluations for wildlife were found. Agencies have stated that diatomaceous earth is unlikely to affect birds, fish, or other wildlife in a harmful way.

Diatomaceous earth is made of silicon dioxide. When chickens were fed a diet that contained less silicon dioxide than normal, their bone formation was harmed. This suggests that silicon dioxide plays an important role in bone formation.

[TargeT]

I have started taking DE, and it's been almost two weeks. The first week I was miserable, feeling very tired. I am up to a tablespoon now, and back to my normal energy levels.

Errr... I started with a heaping table spoon.. WOOPS!

today is day 3 of eating dirt, haha.. yesterday I was COMPLETELY wiped out, must be the Detox.

the stuff is basically flavorless, it goes down super easy in a small glass of water, kinda gritty, I drink another glass of water from the same cup after I drink my dirt water.

Other than being tired and a light headache the first day (again, detox probably) I haven't really felt anything.





I HIGHLY suggest NOT taking large amounts of DE or for ANY extended amount of time.

It literally will cut thousands of microscopic abrasions into the lining and mucous layer throughout your digest tract. This type of inflammation and irritation will then cause other digestive tract disorders and problems. Prolonged exposure can cause systemic dehydration.


I think this is exactly why it's so good for you.

ever heard the old saying "no pain, no gain"

or, " he who learns, must suffer" ?

These sayings have a very important lesson, Muscle never grows with out stress and tearing of the muscle fiber, and weight lifting (muscle tearing and stressing) is one of the best life long activities for staying healthy and keeping mobile.

And, as above, so below; the same should hold true for our intestinal track, it must be stressed to be "the best" it can be.

This is also why radiation is good for humans, we need the external stresses, this is a fundamental truth for so many things humans face.

OF COURSE moderation in everything, don't over do it! too much water will kill you, just enough is perfect (and water is THE BEST universal solvent, it's very corrosive, yet we need it, Oxygen is the same, and we need it in the right levels).

These facts cannot be ignored, by this alone I have chosen to put DE into my diet (not to mention the various long term reports of highly beneficial returns from use)

[Sidney]

Kudos to Target for educating about DE. I have been taking it for about a week, and I kid you not, my mid section is literally deflating. My guess is the reason I have been unable to lose my belly fat is due to parasites. YUK I hate to even say the word.
My digestive issues are leaving one by one also. I am also incorporating more digestive enzymes and pro biotics and I no longer have a "pit" in my stomach all the time. The feeling literally vanished overnight. I eat a very healthy diet but I have had an ongoing problem with bloating and cravings. Sometimes I swear I looked 8 months pregnant. And with the DE, on day 3 my gut was HALF the size.

I also mix the DE with water to make a paste and it makes a very nice facial. I also used it to exfoliated th skin on my legs which is rather scaly. Hate that. I made a milk shake texture mix and scrubbed my legs and they are now nice and soft. No scales. I can't wait to try it on other household things. Thanks Target for this thread and also for letting me know about it on my cats/fleas thread.

I purchased a gallon size bag at my health food coop for 3 dollars. That is almost free IMO. GAIA is a wonderful provider.

[RunningDeer]

I use this product but not on a regular basis. It's on my counter as a reminder. My intuition guides me. For those with sensitive taste buds, it's almost tasteless, but gritty. A powder fine grit, yet not enough to make you not consider it.

One way to eliminate toxins and radioactive materials, heavy metals is the product called “Zeolite”, but it does a whole lot more:




"Clay is effective for many ailments. It will remove impurities including bacteria, fungi, parasites, chemicals, toxins and even help resolve viral infections.  It has been used extensively in the treatment of pain, open wounds, colitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, constipation and intestinal problems, acne, anemia, and a variety of other health issues. Just about everything unhealthy, everything impure, is irresistibly attracted to clay and becomes subject to immediate elimination."


Links for Zeolite: video on main page (http://www.etszeolite.com) & benefits, other Usage, etc (http://www.etszeolite.com/html/zeolite_usage.html)

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii610/WhiteCrowBlackDeer/zeolite2_zpscebd8e63.jpg (http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/WhiteCrowBlackDeer/media/zeolite2_zpscebd8e63.jpg.html)

[AutumnW]

Diatom skeletons look like 3D snowflakes. Very cool.

[Sidney]

I have used bentonite clay in the past, and the DE is a lot more tolerable to the pallet IMO. I just drink it down in water. Only a tad chalky. I think the parasite issue is the largest benefit here. I am going to start feeding it to my feline friends too.

[Lone Bean]

I've been taking about 2 heaping TBS every other day for the past 6 months and I can honestly say I have not experienced any effects one way or the other except I crap more. I've started sprinkling it underneath my squash plants to ward off squash beetle that infects my plants every year. This is my first time using it for that and I really hope it works. If you use this stuff in your garden be very careful not to get it on any flowers because I've read that it will kill bees.