I hope you have been having a *GREAT* Summer so far. Boy howdy, and has it been a hot one! Last week we had FOUR DAYS STRAIGHT of 104* weather - phew! In the midst of it, our hearts and prayers go out to all of those still suffering in this heat after the storms that tore through the East last week, and to the victims of the Colorado fires.
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As some of you know, before Gabby Marie blog I had started out with the blog "The Many Adventures of the Homemaking Intern." [for the story behind it, click HERE]
However, with the formation of the soon to be launching Etsy store,
Gabby Marie, I decided to create a blog with that name. Even so, that doesn't mean I want to give up the journal of my "Homemaking Internship", as a sweet friend of mine and I put it! :-) Instead, I have decided to turn the old blog into a weekly series! I can't wait to share with you my adventures with you, and hope that they encourage you to join in with me on this journey in striving to become a Proverbs 31 woman!
So without further ado, here is the very first post of "The Many Adventures of the Homemaking Intern" series...
This past week, my Mom let me try out a new project that she and I have been dying to make: Bentonite Clay Toothpaste!
Super easy and fun to make, and makes the whole house smell like Fall (a definite plus...:-). Even better though, it is so much better for you than store bought toothpaste, as it "neutralizes acid, removes bacteria filled organic mater, leach out infection and promote healthy gums."
I know, I can already hear what you are probably saying, because it is EXACTLY what I was too: "Clay toothpaste? People brush their teeth with that brown stuff?!" Surprisingly though, it wasn't all that "scary" - ha ;-) In fact, not only was it fun and easy to make, it has had great results! After only the first night of having used it, my Dad and I both noticed a dramatic difference in how our mouth felt - there wasn't that odd, gunky feeling, and the weird aftertaste - plus, I personally noticed that my teeth looked noticeably whiter after only one use.
So, what in the world could be in it to make those results? Nothing scary, much to my awe. :-) Cinnamon, Cloves, Stevia, Salt, Baking soda, and - yep - Benotonite Clay. Never heard of Bentonite Clay? Here is The Bulk Herb Store's description of this amazing product:
Interested in what you have read? Here's the article and recipe on how to make your very own natural toothpaste!
Bentonite Clay Toothpaste.
by Nathan Pearl
April 2012
Bentonite Clay Toothpaste, the cure for the common mouth!
Did you know that sugar is not bad for your teeth? It is actually when the sugar converts to acid that the enamel coating on your teeth starts to breakdown, but even then there are no cavities. It is when the bacteria that is present inside every mouth gets inside the broken down enamel that your teeth start to rot from the inside out. Yuck!
Modern toothpaste has some major problems in this area, most of them have a glycerin base that coats the enamel, keeping it from absorbing the minerals that it needs to be healthy. The reason that enamel is so hard is that it is made up of 96% minerals. Healthy enamel is actively involved in a variety of chemical reactions, including a de-mineralization and re-mineralization exchange processes with the saliva. So when a toothpaste is made with glycerin, it stops this process and leaves the enamel looking brown and dingy. The toothpaste industries answer to the de-mineralization problem was to start using chemicals like fluoride that actually stripped the surface of the enamel. This leaves the enamel looking white and smooth, but it is actually thinner and sicklier than ever.
So what we at the Bulk Herb Store decided to do was make an all natural, organic, toothpaste that would neutralize acid, remove bacteria filled organic matter, leach out infection and promote healthy gums. And we did just that! We call it Bentonite Clay Toothpaste.
Most toothpaste is based on the concept that if we remove the visible plaque we can stop the breakdown of our teeth, but guess what? Most toothpaste is full of, that’s right, sugar. So even if we could remove most of the plaque from our teeth we would be feeding the little buggers that are left.
Imagine a thin layer of micro-organisms living on your teeth that are far too small for you to feel or see. When you eat any kind of sugar, they eat it too and boy do they put it to use. When these micro-organisms eat the sugar, they are capable of producing acid which lowers the pH balance around your teeth. If the pH level on your teeth drops below 5.5 the acid starts to breakdown the enamel on your teeth letting the bacteria into the sensitive, living center of your teeth.
Now we see the problem, when you eat sugar, and then, brush with toothpaste full of more sugar it can drop the pH around your teeth even further.
Bentonite Clay Toothpaste is based on the concept that we can’t just scrape our teeth clean with harsh chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Triclosan, Diethanolomine, Isopropyl Alcohol etc… many of which are present in most toothpaste. Instead we must clean our teeth in a way that will gently remove the build up of plaque, and other bacteria harboring substances, while naturally supporting a healthy mouth.
Next we must give the mouth an all natural, organic, antibacterial compound that will combat bad breath and any remaining harmful bacteria.
Lastly, we will balance the pH in your whole mouth and provide the building blocks necessary for the re-mineralization process to occur, promoting healthy gums and strong enamel. Stopping dental problems before they start.
Next we must give the mouth an all natural, organic, antibacterial compound that will combat bad breath and any remaining harmful bacteria.
Lastly, we will balance the pH in your whole mouth and provide the building blocks necessary for the re-mineralization process to occur, promoting healthy gums and strong enamel. Stopping dental problems before they start.
Step 1 Scrubbing: We want to start with a mild abrasive that will remove plaque without harming your teeth or gums. There are a few that would work and you should pick one based on your teeth and how frequently you brush them. For this recipe we will go with a medium to mild polisher and add a small amount of sodium bicarbonate, which is just a fancy way of saying baking soda. Also the Bentonite Clay powder we are using is a naturally occurring volcanic ash, it will have a mild grittiness to it that will help with the scrubbing; just don’t confuse it with pumice, the glass like volcanic ash.
Step 2 - Fighting Infection: Next we will add an antibacterial, this step is imperative in any good dental care. As you brush your teeth you agitate the bacteria clinging there, giving it the opportunity to migrate to your gums, throat, and from there into your blood stream. However, a good antibacterial will help to rid the mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath as well as those that cause tooth deterioration.
The first of our antibacterial assault, is salt; it kills bacteria, sterilizes your mouth, and stimulates your gums to heal the micro abrasions you acquire from brushing.
Next we add cinnamon, it has strong volatile oils that are a potent antibacterial, and because it is good tasting, it will also serve as the foundation for the flavor of our toothpaste. At this point we might add an infusion of cloves because it kills the bacteria that causes odor, freshening your breath and leaving the mouth clean tasting.
The first of our antibacterial assault, is salt; it kills bacteria, sterilizes your mouth, and stimulates your gums to heal the micro abrasions you acquire from brushing.
Next we add cinnamon, it has strong volatile oils that are a potent antibacterial, and because it is good tasting, it will also serve as the foundation for the flavor of our toothpaste. At this point we might add an infusion of cloves because it kills the bacteria that causes odor, freshening your breath and leaving the mouth clean tasting.
Step 3 pH Balance: Lastly, we need to bring it altogether with the Bentonite Clay Powder. This will work as our carrier for all of the other goodies as well as the main attraction for the toothpaste.
Bentonite Clay Toothpaste Recipe Buy the complete kit for only $26.65
3 Cups Water
1 Tablespoon Stevia Herb
1 1/2 Cups Cinnamon Sticks
4 Tablespoons Whole Cloves
4 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 Tablespoons Celtic Sea Salt
1 - 1 1/2 Cups Bentonite Clay Powder
1. Mix the first four ingredients in a medium saucepan, and boil 30 minutes. While that’s heating, mix 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon Celtic Sea Salt and set aside.
1. Mix the first four ingredients in a medium saucepan, and boil 30 minutes. While that’s heating, mix 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon Celtic Sea Salt and set aside.
2. Next place 1 cup of Bentonite Clay into a glass bowl. Note: it is important to use a glass bowl and wooden spoon because when the Bentonite Clay gets wet, it sets up an electromagnetic reaction which will absorb the particles inside of a metal bowl, or the toxins out of a plastic one.
3. Remove saucepan from heat and strain off herbs, catching the liquid in a glass bowl. Slowly add the salt and baking soda mixture. Expect it to foam and bubble. This is the cinnamon and the baking soda reacting to each other. While it is still frothing, pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of Bentonite Clay, and whisk briskly. The foam will start to settle down and a smooth paste should start to form. Continue adding the remains of Bentonite Clay until the desired consistency is reached. Store in glass jars and avoid any contact with absorbable metals.
That’s it! You’ve just made natural, organic toothpaste. We want to hear about your amazing results! Write to us and subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for more free recipes and herbal remedies.
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Happy Tuesday!
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