If you haven’t tried it yet, check out this ancient beauty enhancer that not only cleanses and detoxifies but also makes your face look young and radiant especially during monsoon. Vandana Aggarwal enlists the different ways to use this all-purpose clay, which, in India, goes by the name of Multani mitti
Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, was a woman of surpassing beauty, and when she was in the prime of her youth, she was supposed to be most striking. Apparently, the secret to her charms was the application of clay on her face. That’s how clay arrived on the beauty scene. It has been used by ancient cultures around the world for its medicinal, healing and cleaning properties. The minerals in it give it its distinctive quality. Nearer home, Multani mitti or the mud from Multan is the clay that is credited with being a handy tool for cleansing the home and body. Referred to as Fuller’s earth in English, Multani mitti is an inexpensive beauty aid that is freely available at any neighbourhood grocery store. Clean, good quality clay is an all-natural home remedy that has stood the test of time. Historically Fuller’s earth was used in ancient Rome and Britain to clean the oil and dirt from wool. This process was called ‘fulling’ and gave the clay its distinctive name.
Dry-clean your clothes
Sprinkle dried and powdered Multani mitti on oil stains to lift out the stain as the oil is absorbed by the clay. Simply sprinkle the clay on the clothes or upholstery where the stain is, leave for a couple of hours and brush off. Similarly, lift a wine stain or clear the messy oil spills in the garage or driveway or stains on walls or countertops. Its use as a natural cleaning agent to clean porcelain and windowpanes has also been documented.
Clean your body
Make your own body wash using Fuller’s earth, powdered orange peel and turmeric. Dilute with some milk and presto—you have a mildly exfoliating and refreshing all-natural cleanser for your body.
Condition your hair
Condition the scalp with a Multani mitti hair pack. It will not only lift any excess oil from the scalp and help to get rid of dandruff but it will also moisturise and condition —provided you add the right ingredients. Yoghurt and lemon juice are some popular choices to mix Multani mitti with. Leave it on for an hour and then wash off with a mild shampoo. For a dry shampooing of your scalp, divide hair into sections and rub in some Multani mitti gently. Leave for a few minutes and then brush out. Say goodbye to greasy hair and hello to dry cleaned hair on days when you are unable to wash
your hair.
Tone your face
The Ain-e-Akbari—a 16th century manuscript—suggests a cleansing formula which uses Multani mitti to clear grime and stains. This formula has been used successfully to draw out impurities from the surface of the Taj Mahal and restore its shine without the use of chemicals. If it can be used to clean the Taj Mahal, it can safely be used on your skin too. You cannot go wrong with a face mask of Multani mitti to tone, tighten and remove impurities. Add what is easily available in your kitchen like milk, honey, mashed tomatoes, papaya, etc. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and rinse off without using soap. You will immediately notice a difference. If your skin feels dry, apply a moisturiser after removing the mask.
Heal with clay
Clays have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. They soften the skin, keep it cool and improve its appearance. From time immemorial, clays have been used for relief in minor nicks and cuts, mild sunburns, insect bites or skin irritations. Make a paste of Multani mitti and rosewater, apply it on the affected part and leave it there for a couple of hours or overnight. It will act as a poultice and provide relief and rapid healing. Wash off normally without using soap. It is used widely on acne-prone skin to draw out impurities and excess oil from the skin.
Brighten your smile
Strengthen your gums and teeth by using a homemade tooth cleaner. Add finely ground clay and a large pinch of salt to coconut or mustard oil. Store the paste in a bottle. Before going to bed use this mixture to brush your teeth. Better still use your finger to massage gums and increase blood circulation. Be careful to rinse mouth well thereafter so as to avoid ingestion of the paste. It’s a great way to get rid of mouth odour and is believed to help heal canker sores in the mouth.
Take a mud bath
Although extremely popular and rejuvenating, mud baths can be quite messy; so it’s a good idea to have them at a spa. However you can still give specific body parts the spa treatment. Apply a paste of clay made with rosewater, honey and Multani mitti. Cover with a thin muslin cloth. Leave it for an hour to relax the muscles, cool and regenerate the skin.
Remove the toxins
Taking the use of clay to another level altogether is the fad for eating certain types of clay. What was once considered a cure for calcium deficiency among pregnant women and toddlers is now being touted as the next best thing for removing toxins from the body. Note, however, that clay contaminated by bacteria, parasites or arsenic may do more harm than good. Modern medicine does not substantiate or recommend ingesting clay and such unproven fads are best left alone.
Clay derives its medicinal qualities from the minerals that it is composed of. It has multiple uses and even though experts suggest using different clays for different remedies it is safe to assume that for simple home remedies the clays are mutually exchangeable and come with almost similar benefits and properties.
