The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
DE Tips
Posted by Kari (Stephenville, Tx Usa) on 08/16/2010
★★★★★
Diatomaceous Earth is completely safe to use, as long as it's human/food grade and NOT pool grade. Most garden stores sell it as well as a plethora of websites. My only suggestion is to not put it on your carpet. Some people have a lot of luck with this, it mostly just made my vacuum cleaner sound [permanently terrible. It still runs fine, there's just a terrible noise when it's running and I can't seem to figure out the real cause (I've taken it apart down to the motor). Also, it's not healthy to breathe in ANY dusts, so wear a mask and remove your pets until the dust settles. Otherwise it's okay for you AND your pets to consume, it's okay to put some on your pets coat (although use caution, it can dry them out). It is a natural dewormer and will rid your animals of every worm EXCEPT for heart-worms. You need about 1 tsp for cats and small dogs, 2 tsp for bigger dogs... 1 tbsp for humans. It really has a lot of benefits. I strongly urge you to research it. I've found the best remedy for fleas is this... Make sure you've found a successful treatment for your animals. I had to switch spot-on treatments because the one I had been using for years was no longer effective. Then you need to treat the infected areas.. Best method for me? Frequent vacuuming. 3-4 times a week, every day if you can manage it. Make sure you throw the bag out or empty the canister outside. I also recommend NOT bathing your animals in chemicals... If you feel it's necessary to bathe them, try to use something like the original Dawn soap, and make sure the first place you get wet and put soap is around the neck... Fleas will always try to travel up to escape... You should never put soap or lots of water on your pets face, so treat the neck FIRST and get it good and lathered. If you wouldn't use it yourself, you probably shouldn't use it on your animals.
Parasites
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 05/28/2015 2042 posts
This sure goes against the health minded professionals saying that our mass produced corporate agriculture practices are deficient in minerals.
BSM, raw or cooked Liver, Brewers Yeast, and Bee Pollen are the superfood exception to the rule of mineral depletion. Ionic Trace Minerals from Utah's Great Salt Lake is a superior source of major & trace minerals.
Caution: Food Grade
Posted by IVORY COAST (CYBER CITY, CALIFORNIA) on 07/05/2009
Do you realize that diatomacious earth is glass? the algae in the ocean make this glass as part of their body. they die and people collect this diatomaceous earth from the bottom of the ocean. it has a cutting action -- just like glass. thus you could cut a hole in the eardrum with this or your intestines. i would not drink this nor put it in the ear.
Mites
Posted by Kay (Washington) on 01/26/2021
Hi Angieb123,
my response is years behind, and I hope you have found relief!
My story: I petted my daughter's turkey and immediately felt something along my hairline. I used dry borax, added water in my hand, and applied as a shampoo to the scalp. Just once and it solved the issue. I read somewhere that Dr. Hulda Clarke recommends a citric acid rinse to keep the eyes free of the borax. I put like 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon to a quart of water, rinsed my hair and body, and voila, no more issue.
Food Grade Vs Industrial Grade
Posted by Marsha (Wichita Falls , TX) on 10/24/2008
WARNING!
I lost a beautiful German Shepherd and the sweetest kitty because they ingested pool grade diatomaceous earth. Keep it away from your beloved pets!
Gray Hair
Posted by Jacqueline (El Paso, T X) on 02/22/2024 26 posts
Hi Chris, ! Thank you for your post. Would you please share how much diatomaceous earth you and your husband take in a glass daily?
DE and Amalgams
Posted by Brittny (Colorado Springs ) on 09/21/2023
Hello! I also realize I'm responding quite late to the post. I've used DE for quite a few years now to help with the flea, springtails, spiders, and parasite problems. I work with animals for a living. I was curious as to how it was working out for you, because I am anemic as well. This is news to me about not taking it directly if you have Mercury in your fillings. Would you happen to know a specific website where I can find this information? Thank you!
Detox
Posted by cromwell (UK) on 12/11/2023
You simply MUST NOT INHALE THIS STUFF!
IT IS NOT TALC - IT WILL CRUSH YOUR LUNGS!
I am all for DE, zeolite and bentonite but, for the first two - DO NOT INHALE! It doesn't come back out, and it is alien to your lungs.
I treat mine at arms-length until I can get it into water and, even then, it's fine enough to launch a dust cloud off of the water. Same with zeolite.
Get them into water, avoid that dust, then do as you might.
Detox
Posted by Wendy (Dublin OH) on 12/12/2023
Another important suggestion, when preparing food grade DE for use: along with wearing a mask and gloves and long sleeves, wear glasses or protective goggles so the DE doesn't get into your eyes!
Detox
Posted by Rebecca (Phoenix, Az) on 07/06/2016
Started taking DE in morning (about1/8 teaspoon) and did not increase at all.Three days in I had nausea, headache and lower back ache which I understand is normal but then on 4th morning I had really cloudy urine with small amount of blood in it so I stopped. Anyone heard of this happening? Any advise or comments appreciated. Thanks.
Detox
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 07/08/2016 2042 posts
Steve: From my recollection, you have made many good post here, but I must disagree with you on "typical" die-off reaction, as it appears maybe "possible". I have had much experience with paras & die-off of all sorts but nothing as severe as these reported side-effects.
Detox
Posted by Sarah (United Kingdom ) on 05/23/2016
Hi. I am hoping somebody can give me some advise or share their experience of taking diatomaceous earth please. I've been taking 1 heaped teaspoon a day and some days 2 heaped teaspoons to help detox for about 6 weeks. I had the same initial symptoms that are frequently mentioned in the first week. Headaches and a runny nose and then my tongue got a yellow coating which I still have but it is clearing up. I was fine except for noticing a few strange things that I cannot be sure about when I went to the toilet. Until this last week when I've become quite worried. It started with back pain during the night and then I had a slightly painful tingling prickly feeling on the palms of my hands and the souls of my feet which lasted a couple of days, now my joints are painful mainly in my fingers, wrists and knees. This is worrying me but I don't want to stop taking the DE if it is a harmless side effect of my body detoxing.
I should add that I considered myself to be in good health before I started taking DE but decided to do a detox as I changed to a vegan diet about 5 months ago.
Thank you so much in advance, Sarah
Detox
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 05/24/2016
Sarah, maybe you are detoxed already and don't need any more?
Thin Hair
Posted by Hoppimike (Kent, England) on 06/06/2015 25 posts
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Diatomaceous earth, I believe because of the silica, I'm 99% sure was making my hair thicker. However, I had to stop because it was also giving me bleeding which started when I started taking it and stopped when I stopped.
However, theoretically any silica should work I suppose. Best of luck!
DE Tips
Posted by Claire (Westport, Ct) on 12/21/2014
Thanks for the great tips on diatomaceous earth! I was just thinking - beauty supply stores would carry empty plastic bottles that would work the same as a mustard container.. check the hair coloring section.
DE and Amalgams
Posted by Tea (New Zealand) on 06/22/2015
You can absorb transdermally through baths or use dmso and avoid the teeth altogether!
Accidental Diatomaceous Earth Inhalation
Posted by Timh (KY) on 09/15/2014 2042 posts
Sandee: It's always safe to start low and go slow, so one treatment on day 1 and if no bad side effects two treatments per day. You can use all three herbs together for best results. The nebulize water plus herbs should help significantly but true healing will take some time. Other treatment options would be an herbal expectorant like Lobelia or Licorice. The herb Hawthorn Berry has an antioxidant affinity for the lungs which should encourage the removal of anything foreign. After several weeks of treatment and you feel "cleaned out" you can consider the herbs Horstail, Gotu Kola, and Comfrey for removing scar tissue and encourage regrowth. Two other nutrients which will help is Glucosamine and Calcium-AEP. Looking forward to your results.
Accidental Diatomaceous Earth Inhalation
Posted by Sandee (Pa) on 09/15/2014
Thank you so much Timh...I will go today to get the water and herbs. I am so happy and blessed to have figured the possible cause and to "stumble" upon this thread (no coincidences is my belief:)
Would it be ok to do nebulizer treatments along with using a vaporizer at night? Also if I use a vaporizer will my partner be ok ...want to make sure there will be no ill effects for him.
Thanks so much....you have shed much light on this issue for me and others too I am sure.
Where to Buy
Posted by Frank (Spartanburg, Sc) on 08/30/2013
I am responding to the person looking for D-Earth in food grade. I found it at "Tractor Supply Store". They were very knowlegeable of this product and assured me that it works great.
Detox
Posted by Te (Charlotte, Nc) on 06/14/2013
For the headaches and mood swings I use PMS Tea by Traditional Medicinals or some Organic Dandelion Root tea. I havent gotten the hair loss under control yet. Please let me know if you find something that helps. GB
Detox
Posted by Saraaa (Paradise, Narnia) on 06/24/2013
Thanks. I've been off gluten for over a year and I cut way back on dairy and eat very little grains. Doesn't seem to be helping all that much. I was doing a lot better for about 4 months or so, periods were starting to get more regular and skin cleared and my hair wasnt falling as much. I was happier and less stressed out. But for some reason it all fell apart. I knew I wasnt being super strict on my diet but I wasnt eating gluten still. I just dont know. Im hoping im going through a detox, but from what ive read others have had much faster results with DE than I seem to be having. I'm late on my period right now and symptoms are worsening. Hair falling a lot, face is breaking out terribly! And I'm emotionally insane feeling. Not literally insane. But very emotional and stressed out feeling.
I research a lot and can only find the good things DE does for skin. Why would it not be helping me? I just don't know why I deserve this. I never had acne growning up. It started when I was 25 and now I'm 30 and it's making me more and more depressed. I don't want to see people or go out anymore. I hate putting makeup on my greasy zit covered face. It just makes it feel even more gross and I dont think I'm fooling anyone with it anyway.
I hate this. I thought I had figured it out and was getting better and now im dealing with it all over again.
Detox
Posted by Mal (Fort Lauderdale, Fl) on 09/20/2015
Do a face mask and add Diatomaceou earth to it!!!
Detox
Posted by Renay (Texas) on 06/19/2016
For the headaches and hair loss try pure black seed oil. You can get it on Amazon.
Detox
Posted by Anne (Byron) on 07/09/2016
You may have copper overload? Try reading: why am I always so tired by Ann Gittleman. High copper can do all those things you spoke about.
DE Contraindications
Posted by Drema (Charleston, Wv Usa) on 03/08/2013
If a person is allergic to shellfish could DE be a problem too?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Mike (Plant City, Florida) on 12/27/2011
★★★★★
I have used Diatomacious Earth in the yard to get rid of fleas. Tics and red ant. I have also fed it to my dog, a teaspoon a day for a few days, in his food, to get rid of worms. People eat this, although much more expensive from health food stores, for worm and parasite prevention. The pool DE will/can cause cancer. I buy DE also known as FFP at feed stores.
Avoid Inhaling DE
Posted by Violeta (Usa) on 09/17/2017
Joshua,
LOL, you're the one who needed to be educated with your own biochemistry haha. muriatic is hydrochloric acid, it is the same thing. But guess your being funny.... and that was a good laugh :)
Food Grade Vs Industrial Grade
Posted by Missy (Toronto, Ontario) on 09/28/2008
WARNING!
Pool filter grade diatomaceous earth has been heat and chemically treated and will poison an animal or human who ingests it, so it is always of utmost importance to only obtain food grade diatomaceous earth to use in and around your household.
Quote from: Wolf Creek Ranch web site: http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html
Mites
Posted by Deb (Oregon) on 11/09/2006
★★★★★
i tried everything, permetherin, ivamex, tea tree oil, lavander oil, washing bedding, cloths, even tried animal remedies. have battled it for 5 months only with temporary relief. Diatomeceous earth is the one that worked. Its' a natural remedy that you can buy at a grange coop or garden store. i use it 3 times a day putting it on with a powder puff or big cosmetic makeup brush. careful not to get in eyes and don't use on face or breath in dust. i used it for one day and noticed a big improvement but i am going to use it for a few weeks to be darn certain they are gone. I washed bedding and vacumed floors, washed rugs all in hot water with soap and borax. I sprinkled mattresses, couches, car seats in vehicles carpets and bedding daily with this diatomecieous earth. Every day I washed used towels, bedding in hot water. the items you cant wash daily (like comforters, pillows) put in dryer for 20 minutes every day.
Body Odor
Posted by MamaBear (Minneapolis, MN) on 02/23/2025
★★★★★
If you are having body odor, including underarm odor, it is a sign that you need to detox your body. I use a high quality FOOD GRADE ONLY diatomaceous earth (DE) powder mixed with water (start with a teaspoon to 8 ounces of water then build up to 1-2 tablespoons per day mixed with 8 ounces water over 2-4 weeks). NEVER take DE that is not food grade, it contains very harmful ingredients!! I mix well and drink it down all at once. You have to increase your water intake when taking diatomaceous earth. I try to drink at least 48-80 oz (3-5 bottles) of water per day. You can also use bentonite clay instead of DE. Taking DE daily gets rid of my body odors of all kinds. It may take several months of consistent daily use but you should see a difference! It works for me! I cannot stress enough that you have to eat healthy foods, exercise and stay well hydrated along with the DE. Stay away from sugar-laden foods and beverages, processed foods, sodas, fried foods and cow's milk. Stay hydrated! Intermittent fasting (6-16 hours) and infrared saunas can also speed up the detox process along with the DE! A real benefit with daily use of DE is that it also gets rid of internal parasites and caused my faded eyebrows to turn dark once again! 🤗 Hope this helps someone out there! God bless! PS: if you have problems drinking plain water try adding lemon, limes, cucumbers or fruits!
Parasites
Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 08/09/2024
JulesElway07 thank you for your detailed use of diatomaceous earth! I and my golden retriever Daisy are now taking it! She has yearly bouts of lyme disease and achy joints, I am turning 70 soon and all my joints hurt. I also suspect I have lyme as well. In my research DE can help a lot of things such as brain fog, alzheimers, bone density etc. Thanks for drawing attention to this! :)
Receding Gums
Posted by Joan (Denmark) on 07/03/2023
How much do you take?
Detox
Posted by Wendy (Dublin OH) on 12/11/2023
If you're using food grade diatomaceous earth, for anything, wear a mask! Then you won't breathe it in! In the warmer months, I use it at my door entrances and near the baseboards on the floor to control spiders and beetles. So, before I fill its plastic dispenser with the DE, I put on a mask, and plastic gloves and wear long sleeves so I don't get any of the DE on my skin or breathe it in. I put the bag of DE in the kitchen sink and scoop out what I need with the dispenser. After filling the dispenser, any DE that spills out is in the sink, and I can simply wash it down the drain. Then I throw out the mask and the gloves, takeoff the shirt and put it immediately into the washing machine to launder. Simple.
Nail Growth
Posted by Willistine (Mt Laurel, Nj) on 06/05/2017
★★★★★
I've been taking a /tsp of DE for a week my nails are growing. I went up a heaping/tsp and I'm getting a headache behind my left eye 3 days now but I don't want to stop.
Parasites
Posted by Javonne (CA) on 09/11/2023
I'm having this problem exactly. I hope this message finds you well. Has the problem resolved for you??
Thin Hair
Posted by Hunter (New Jersey) on 09/04/2024
Sounds like parasites are expelling
Thin Hair
Posted by Lydia (LA) on 09/08/2024
You should not be bleeding from DE. Stop taking it. Either dose is too high, or DA source is not good.
Where to Buy
Posted by Tg (Al) on 01/22/2014
★★★★★
Go to your local animal supply store/farm supply company. Look in the area that deals with flies and other bugs---I see it in huge (50 lb) bags for $15 at my local Tractor Supply. The label will say food grade. It is used in grain stocks to keep weevils from developing in feed corn, black oil sunflower, dog/chicken/other kinds of feed. They are very helpful and will gladly show it to you if you ask. This kind of store is everywhere--esp since people are having chickens in the city.
Detox
Posted by Om (Hope Bc, Canada) on 07/24/2013
Dakina from LA Calif. What a wonderful reply. I agree totally with it. Ayurveda too, thousands of years old agrees, that crisis should not be allowed in healing. It has to be gentle and knowledgeable. My own experience with TCM is very positive except I could not the herbals. Diet plays a major role. All the best. Om
Detox
Posted by Elly (Australia) on 09/17/2016
Reading about all your problems I can see what I went through the past 7 years. My health just kept declining and begin getting life threatening health problems, when the source of my problem become apparent. I have Candida overgrowth that even my Dr ignored as significant when I mentioned it. I went on a Candida diet 6 weeks ago and started DE, Candigest and Colostrum 2 weeks ago. This week I finally started to feel better, had more energy, brain fog lifted, headaches finally gone too and my period is stabilizing among many other things. My advice is to you is get yourself tested for Candida or read upon it and start your own journey, because truthfully you can't loose by trying. Hope you will get better soon, kind regards...
Detox
Posted by Clarity (Sebastopol, Ca) on 04/28/2018
You may have estrogen dominance! Try DIM. Best of luck.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Craig (QLD) on 02/27/2024
Any other people on here use DE for pain relief from sciaticia?
Where to Buy
Posted by Tina (The Ozarks, Arkansas, Usa) on 06/23/2012
This is where I purchased my "food grade" Diatomaceous Earth. www.earthworkshealth.com
Mites
Posted by Angieb123 (Salem, OR ) on 06/27/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have been suffering with bird mites from coming into contact with infected birds. I have tried almost everything. I have tried Diatomaceous Earth and it seemed to work although I was tired of dust being in my hair and throat and I have these bugs all over me and the kids. Has anyone had any success killing bird mites?
