Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural product composed of the fossils of tiny algae-like organisms called diatoms. It is a soft white or off-white powder that is slightly abrasive. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe for consumption by both humans and animals and is beneficial to the body. The FDA lists food-grade diatomaceous earth as “Generally Recognized as Safe.”
It is important to note that the diatomaceous earth used in these applications must be food-grade. Diatomaceous earth sold for pool filters has been heat treated with soda ash, causing the DE to assume its crystalline form. Non-food grade diatomaceous earth is not safe to be inhaled or ingested.
Diatomaceous earth promotes health in humans and animals and has many uses that may become important in a survival situation. Here are 18 ways to use diatomaceous earth now and in a survival situation:
#1. Detoxify the Body and Kill Parasites
Diatomaceous earth is a natural detoxifying agent, killing parasites and viruses in the digestive tract. It is negatively charged, making it able to attract toxins and heavy metals and flush them from the body.
Take 1 tsp. of food-grade diatomaceous earth daily, with at least 1 cup of water. Take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Most detox regimens suggest taking it for 10 days, then wait 10 days before taking it again. Follow this 10 days on, 10 days off process for 90 days.
If you are on prescription medications, check with your doctor before use. It may remove some medications as well.
#2. As a Soil Conditioner
Added to soil, diatomaceous earth improves retention of water and nutrients while draining freely. It is often used as a growing medium in hydroponic gardens and as a soil conditioner in potting soils.
#3. Cleans and Protects Skin, Nails and Teeth
The abrasive properties of diatomaceous earth make it useful for cleaning the skin and teeth. It is used in skin care products as an exfoliator and in toothpaste. Taken internally, it supplies silica to the skin, teeth, hair and nails.
#4. Make Toothpaste
Mix together equal parts of coconut oil and diatomaceous earth. Add peppermint essential oil to flavor it and a little vegetable glycerin for texture.
#5. Make Deodorant
Mix 3 parts cornstarch or arrowroot powder with 1 part food-grade diatomaceous earth. Add 2 parts melted coconut oil and stir to completely mix. Store in container with a tight-fitting lid. Rub a small amount on underarms using the fingertips.
Related: How to make Antibacterial Laundry Detergent at Home
#6. As a Facial Mask and Exfoliant
Mix a few tablespoons of diatomaceous earth with a little water and mix to form a thick paste. You can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil if you like. Scrub it gently into the skin using your fingertips and a circular motion. It gently removes dead skin cells and soaks up oils, leaving your skin soft and glowing.
#7. Safely Kills Insects
Use diatomaceous earth around the home to kill insects, including cockroaches, bed bugs, ants, fleas, dust mites, spiders, and silverfish. The tiny diatoms are abrasive and kill insects by cutting through their skin or outer shell, causing dehydration. Apply it with a hand duster to puff it into areas where infestations are possible. It contains no harmful chemicals and is completely safe around kids and pets.
#8. Kills Garden Pests
Sprinkle DE around plants in the garden to kill slugs, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, Mexican bean beetles and other pests. Sprinkle it on the ground around plants and whenever possible, use a bulb puffer to blow the diatomaceous earth directly onto the pests or into cracks and crevices where they hide. Avoid using it on flowers where bees might be harmed. It is a completely safe pesticide for people and pets.
#9. Get Rid of Fleas and Ticks on Dogs
Use food-grade diatomaceous earth on dogs to naturally kill fleas and ticks. Rub or brush it into your pet’s fur and sprinkle it around bedding and other places where fleas or ticks might be found. Keep it away from your pet’s eyes and avoid inhalation.
#10. Water Filtration
Diatomaceous earth is used in water filtration products to remove very fine particles. It also helps kill viruses and purify the water. Research shows that DE filters remove up to 80 percent of the viruses present in tap water. DE is currently used in many swimming pool and aquarium filters.
#11. As an Abrasive Cleanser
Diatomaceous earth is mildly abrasive and works well as an abrasive cleanser or as a metal polish. Use it like a scouring powder to clean away burned on grime from pots and pans. Sprinkle it on the toilet brush for an abrasive boost when cleaning the bowl.
#12. As an Absorbent
Diatomaceous earth can absorb up to 1.1 times its weight in water, making it good for cleaning up spills. Use it in homemade kitty litter to absorb smells and moisture. It will also absorb oil, so sprinkle it over spilled cooking oil or motor oil to make it easier to clean.
#13. As a Deodorizer
DE soaks up odors in garbage pails, sweaty sneakers and the kitty litter box. Put a small jar of DE in the refrigerator to soak up odors. Sprinkle a little wherever you need its deodorizing properties.
#14. In the Compost Pile
DE controls both odor and pests in the compost pile, but won’t hurt beneficial worms and other organisms.
#15. Sprinkle it in the Chicken Coop
Added to chicken feed, DE helps produce eggs with stronger shells. Sprinkled around the coop, it controls flies and odor.
#16. Remove Stubborn Stains
Its absorbent nature makes DE excellent for removing oily stains from clothing and other surfaces. Sprinkle it on the stained areas and work it in. Allow it to absorb the oil for a few minutes before washing it away.
#17. As a Supplement, It Improves Joint, Bones, Ligament Health, and Protects the Heart
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a natural source of silica, an important trace mineral required by the body, especially the tendons, cartilage, bones, and blood vessels. It encourages heart health and helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Silica is an important mineral for many of the body organs that has been depleted from the soil by modern farming practices. Now only a third of the silica needed by the body is available in our plant based foods.
#18. In Your Food Storage
Add food-grade diatomaceous earth to wheat, barley, maize, legumes, and other grains before sealing them for long term storage. It keeps the food dry and prevents insect infestation and mold.
Safety Considerations
Diatomaceous is a very fine powder with abrasive properties. It can be harmful if inhaled and a painful irritant in the eye. Take proper safety precautions when working with it in large amounts or on windy days.
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Where can you buy this product?
Walmart, Lowes and ebay all carry it. Compare prices. I purchased mine off ebay.
No, you cannot purchase the food grade at Walmart .
The one at Walmart is for pools not human consumption.
You can purchase this at earthworks health.
be sure to buy diatomaceous that is labeled safe for human consumption –
In order to become food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, the product has to meet certain standards to be considered safe. Food-grade cannot contain over 10mg of arsenic and also has to have 10mg or less of lead – there are several vendors of this product on Amazon
Any feed store will have it. Farmers use it to “de-clump” livestock feed
Here in Alabama you can get it from your local feed store or co-op. I give it to my chickens.
Usually the food-grade Diotomaceous earth can be found in Health food stores. But it must be food grade to take internally, as other sources may have trace contaminants or metals that may be harmful.
Food grade and usually cheaper in feed stores. Good for me and the chickens. Have used it for years. My dad discovered it for the family when he was in college on GI Bill after WWII. double BAs in Biology, Botany, Dietetics, et in change of vocations.
How do you use it on yourself?
I mix mine in a little bit of coffe before my big cup of coffe and drink it in the morning as soon as I get up, you can also mix it with water or juice
I put a large teaspoon of food grade safe diatomaceous earth in water twice daily which is tasteless. It seems to help me feel great! Strengthens bones ( I don’t have the Osteoperosis that other women in past generations of my family got. ( I have great bone health.) I highly recommend it for so many things!
Home Depot sells food grade online. It looks like chalk.
Any feed store, Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot, and some pet stores. Look for “medical grade” if you are looking to use on humans.
No, NOT medical grade, FOOD GRADE is what you want if you are going to consume it. ALL ingredients that are going to be consumed, that are used for many applications need to be FOOD GRADE
Try Amazon
Amazon has it.
Feedstores sell food grade that is red in color.
i get mine in 50# bags at my local Farmer’s Co-Operative. $27! I raise organic, rangefed beef. the cattle are smart enough to eat the stuff daily for parasite control and mineral/protein value. Make sure is food-grade. use it everywhere; there is no such thing as wasting it. Make sure you are conscientious about the honey bees.
you can buy it at any farm suoolie stores in your area tractor supplie sells it to i buy it by the fifty pound bags for 35.00 dollars and use it all over my property
We bought a container of DE at Tractor Supply.
I don’t do TSP Because their chicken feed has been known to keep chickens from laying, And for proof of that i and a friend changed to co-op and the hens started laying again!!!
Amazon
When are people gonna stop participating w/these big bx stores that are putting mom & pop out of business and child trafficking
Pom: I picked up 20 lbs bags food grade at Tractor supply. Mind, look at the labels because they also sell a variety used only for dusting crops. niio
Farm store. Make sure to get food-grade.
Do a search on the bug killer that you can eat! Or you can get it at feed stores like co-op, I have been using it for years!!
Can’t believe I never heard of this stuff. Allegedly it kills bed bugs faster than a visit from Clark and a trip to the mattress store. Actually if it holds a negativei onic charge none of this should be too surprising. It has even been proven that cancer cannot grow in an alkalized environment but keeping the body alkalized after middle age is very difficult involving lots and lots of fruit and vegetables as well as sunlight and supersize all towards the goal of making it easier for the body to assimilate calcium and this maintain a lower ph balance. Search around online and the testimonials go on and on. One dude I read swears it’s the only thing that takes care of his chronic flatulence. Oh and here come the lunatics. This dude calls it fairy dust and swears it keeps him young and allows him to fly… but he’s gotta be a nut job. What kind of a name is Peter Pan anyway?
https://www.amazon.com/Rated-Grade-Diatomaceous-Earth-Scoop/dp/B00JJ71LW6/ref=sr_1_cc_8?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1499104291&sr=1-8-catcorr&keywords=diatomaceous+earth
Alkalizing your body is vital! Overweight and ALL ailments happen when the body is acid internally. I use DE for lots of things but the fastest way I know to alkalize the body is to take 2 tsp of Arm & Hammer baking soda in a quart/liter of water and drink it. If you have pH paper test your urine, if you are overweight or ill it will be acid, 6 pH or lower. Drink enough soda water to drive it up to at least 7.5 pH. If you have a serious illness, your urine will be in the dangerous 4 to 5 pH range, work to get it up to 8.5 pH and hold it there. Victoria Marie, PhD – Biological Science
That is a good statement. When my mom had cancer( leukemia) I ask a lot of patients who had cancer to do a test for me. All they had to do was put their saliva on a piece of hydronic paper so I could check their ph level. All had levels 5 and below. Very acidic. As an added note people who die having cancer die of acidosis. Their major organs shut down because of the acidity level in their body. Listen, alkaline your body.
Yes Ms Marie, I use baking powder also for heart burn, Half tbs in 8-10 oz of purified water or steam water,,,,
Good for me and the chickens. Have used it for years. My dad discovered it for the family when he was in college on GI Bill after WWII. double BAs in Biology, Botany, Dietetics, et in change of vocations.
Good uses of which I was unaware, though I had heard of it, initially because it is used to homogenize mixtures of Nitroglycerine, making dynamite into a relatively safe form of farm,mining and military explosives. Many of these other public domestic uses was quite a revelation.
mud bay carries it
If there is any question in your mind about the possibility of parasites, worms etc., drink a glass of this tasteless stuff once a day for 90 days and any critters inside you will no longer be inside you. Peace of mind if nothing else!
I also sprinkle it on my cats food to prevent internal parasites like tapeworms.
DR is my go to for a lot of things. Great at killing fleas and roaches. The cats eat it when it D-earth them. You can’t hurt your animals. You can’t use to much. This stuff dries skins out good. So I’ve put it in my face to get rid of oil too. Can’t recommend enough that people buy a few pounds. FOOD GRADE ONLY & THE ONE MIXED WITH RED CLAY IS NOT THE SAME. CANNOT BUY AT WAL-MART LOWE’S OR HONE DEPOT. Some non big box pet store sell it by the pound. About $5 per pound.
I got my food-grade DE at Theisen’s-$25 for 50#.
Not to be a smart arse but what is DR, DR’s will kill yer arse! lol
You can buy this at Tractor Supply, the big bag is cheaper than the smaller ones you pay for at other stores
Can you use the DE for pool filters around the house for insects instead of the food grade?
Hi Bob D,
Diatomaceous Earth for pool filters is processed and is not as sharp. It’s better to use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth.
Regular DE is available at most hardware stores. My dad had the underside of our house in Florida sprayed with regular DE in 1953 to prevent any insects from coming into the house. It worked like a charm and is probably still there doing its job.
NO. It MUST BE FOOD GRADE if you are going to consume it. Sure, the big farm and building supply stores are going to have it cheaper. But isn’t your HEALTH more important than saving a small amount of money? Those big farm stores and building supply store DE are going to be contaminated with things that should NEVER go into your bodies.
ALWAYS choose FOOD GRADE ANYTHING if it is going to be consumed.
PS: #4: toothpaste: do NOT use glycerin in your mouth! It coats the teeth and causes many health issues. Never use a toothpaste that contains glycerin or a mouthwash either.
#14: I would be wary of using it in compost. I don’t agree with the comment that it doesn’t harm worms. DE is very hard, SHARP pieces of fossilized animals that CUT insects up, which is why it works to kill insects. I think it very likely that it would also cut up worms similarly.
Listen to Carol she is absolutely correct! Always make sure the DE is in a non absorb container because it will a absorb other chemicals esp. if it is close by!!!
Thank you for the information.
Do not use pool grade!!!!!!!!
http://www.absorbentproductsltd.com/food-grade-diatomaceous-earth-vs-pool-grade.html
Wife and I were having bug problems around the house and she gave the inside and outside foundation perimeters a sprinkle. Not seen a bug for a long time now.
Borax is also good for stopping roaches. They breath through their belly, and both will suffocate them rather quickly.
Can I make a tap water filter using only food grade DE? Would it be effective, and how to best make it? I haven’t used DE before so I don’t know if it’s a very thin powder and would come down with the water. Or is it best to put in a bottle and let it sink to the bottom? Would that work and filtrate?
Food grade D E can be purchased through Amazon at approximately $1. a lb.
Have you not read the horror stories about Amazon, Child trafficking!!!
DiatamaciousEarth.com For foodgrade this is a good place to order. that’s where I get mine.
I’m not sure if diamotaceous Earth is the same thing as bentonite clay but I used the latter to adjust my body pH and get rid of my GERD. It is also mildly abrasive absorbs toxins and will neutralize your body pH. Worked way better than the purple pill and I can eat or drink anything I want now
I get a bentonite clay mix with DE that I occasionally mix in a bottle of water to drink or for the chickens to dust bathe in.
If you happen to see this 4evryorz, could you please tell me how much you used per dose or mixture?
4evryorz
NO, DE and Bentonite clay are different. Bentonite clay is a CLAY, whereas DE is the tiny bodies of very hard SHARP fossilized animals. Do a search and look at microscopic pictures of DE.
Yep, its called the bug killer you can eat!
Can food grade DE BE USED IN A POOL FILTER?
Might want to check out the research done on DE. Some claims are not supported by the research. For example it’s effectiveness with parasites in our livestock haven’t been substantiated that I can find on several research websites such as universities. It is good for insect control!
Tractor supply carried 20 lbs bags of food grade at a reasonable price. Please look at the label. They also carry a type used only to dust fields. niio
a few years ago, I bought a large bag (maybe 50 LB’s) of food grade DE on WalMart.com. I didn’t know if it’s still available via WalMart, but I tend to discredit anyone who says a vendor doesn’t carry something I already purchased from that same vendor, so I just searched WalMart.com for “food grade diatomaceous earth 50 lbs” and found:
Walmart
If you go to wal-mart w/children be sure to keep a really close eye on them! I cannot understand why people keep shopping at china-mart
DE was used in the Military for personal and small unit decontamination of chemical and biological agents. A Mitt in a foil bag was used to “blot, bang and rub” on contaminated surfaces to absorb the agents. You DIY the same by putting in a sock stored in a mylar bag.