Scientists at the University of British Columbia have discovered that a naturally occurring mineral clay found 400 kilometres north of Vancouver (on the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk First Nation in Kisameet Bay on the west coast of British Columbia) has potent abilities to fight some of the worst and most common bacterial infections found in hospitals. Anecdotal reports indicate First Nations in the area have used the clay for centuries for its therapeutic properties to treat ulcerative colitis, duodenal ulcer, arthritis, neuritis, phlebitis, skin irritation, and burns. Initial laboratory tests with the clay killed 16 strains of the so-called ESKAPE bacteria that plagues hospitals. Unlike antibacterial drugs, the clay presents no toxic side effects when it is used, but further clinical research and studies will be required to determine whether it is suitable for clinical treatment. http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2016/01/kisameet-bay-drug-resistant-clay-ubc/
Very nice discovery. Since our body evolved in an environement where contact with clay and related substances happened on a daily basis, it should be highly adapted to handle clay in a good manner; therefore clay shoudl not have bad side effects. Also, good to see that the old knowledge that came from experience has been donfirmed by scientific research and is now ready for use in all applications which need a "scientific certificate" about a substance.
Duggar identified the antibiotic as the product of an actinomycete he cultured from a soil sample collected from Sanborn Field at the University of Missouri.[1] The organism was named Streptomyces aureofaciens and the isolated drug, Aureomycin, because of their golden color. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlortetracycline It is a chemical weapon that soil-dwelling bacteria use to fight other bacteria. Soil is correct as origin, but the clay is working immediuately, while the soil here is home of the producer, and not part of the effect.
