How to Use Indus Healing Clay ~ Recipes

HAIR AND SCALP MASK
Indus Healing Clay is a more natural approach to hair care. The hair & scalp clay mask, supports hair growth, makes hair shinier, reduces dandruff and helps to draw out toxins and impurities that can cause dandruff and other scalp conditions.
Prepare hair and scalp mask by mixing one part of Indus Healing Clay and one and half part of ‘Liquid-Mixture’ of water, apple cider vinegar and optional oils, such as coconut, castor, olive or sweet almond oil. Quantity of water should always be more than the other liquids used in that liquid-mixture.
The simplest clay hair mask can be used plain (mixed with water only) but most people want to use it with apple cider vinegar and other optional oils mixed in it.

Below is a complete recipe that includes clay, water, apple cider vinegar and optional oils.

• Use Glass, Ceramic or Wooden bowl & spoon while preparing a mask & avoid metal utensils.
• Start by diluting ACV (apple cider vinegar) with water (3 parts water to 1 part ACV).
• Then, add Indus Healing Clay and mix it vigorously until you have a smooth, lump free, uniform yogurt-like consistency paste.
• The amount of clay you will need depends on how much liquid you start with but as a thumb rule it is 1 part clay to 1.5 parts of liquid.
• Add the necessary additional amount of water or clay your mask needs to get a smooth yogurt like consistency paste.
• If using optional oils, then add a small amount of it to the above mask paste and mix well.
• Optional oil (coconut, castor, olive or sweet almond oils) could be any single oil or combination of your liking and suitability.  
• Total quantity of oil(s) added to the hair and scalp mask should not be more than one tablespoon.
• Rinse your hair with warm water to wet it. This will help in applying the hair mask smoothly.
• Take a dose of clay in your hand and spread it over your entire scalp, massaging lightly.
• Begin your hair mask treatment by sectioning your hair and pick up handfuls of hair at a time.
• Apply the Indus Healing Clay mask using your fingers onto your hair  from root to tip.
• If your hair starts drying, dampen it again with the help of a spray bottle.
• Roll up your hair and put on a shower cap to prevent them from drying out.
• Allow the mask to work for about 20-30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
• You will need to wash off the hair mask with warm water before it is completely dry as it can be difficult to remove once it dries up.
• Rinsing the hair and scalp properly is of utmost importance.
• You can shampoo and condition your natural hair as you normally do after the treatment is done.
• Clay mask can dry out your hair, so follow the treatment with a deep conditioner to replenish your hair with moisture.
• Run some hot water down the drain after washing off the clay hair mask so that it does not clog up your plumbing.
• Like a mask for your face, the clay hair mask is intended for use only a few times a month and you may use it as little as once a month.

CLAY BODY BATH
Indus Healing Clay as a body bath can help reduce swelling and  soothe skin inflammation.
Other benefits include softer, smoother skin and the minerals present in the clay such as iron, iodine, calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper, chromium, manganese, chloride, sodium, and potassium, boost the circulatory system, making your body more relaxed and leaving your skin feeling renewed. 
There are mainly TWO methods or options by which “Clay Body Bath” can be taken : 
OPTION # 1: Full body clay mask application and then taking a shower.
OPTION # 2: Taking a detoxifying bath soak in a bathtub.  

OPTION # 1: FULL BODY CLAY MASK APPLICATION AND THEN TAKING A SHOWER.

• Use Glass, Ceramic or Wooden bowl & spoon while preparing a full body clay mask, avoiding metal utensils.
• Prepare a clay mask by mixing equal quantity of Indus Healing Clay and Water OR Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Mix it well to achieve a smooth, lump free, uniform paste.
• Do a forearm patch test prior to use, for allergic reactions.
• Apply an even thin layer of clay to the whole body using hands and fingers gently and do not scrub vigorously as this could irritate your skin.
• In the same amount of time it takes to lather soap, you will have coated your body with Indus Healing Clay.   
• If it is taking longer then add more water to dilute the clay mask for smooth and quick application.
• Be sure to cover your legs, arms, face, and the whole body except eyes and lips.
• Leave the mask on your skin for about 15-20 minutes for normal skin and 5-10 minutes for dry and very sensitive skin.
• Wrap yourself in a large towel (or put on a robe) to keep warm while the clay dries.
• Shower off with warm water.
• Be sure to remove the entire clay mask from your body and then rinse with cold water (not too cold) before towel blotting the face and body skin.

OPTION # 2: TAKING A DETOXIFYING BODY BATH SOAK IN A BATHTUB

• Fill your bathtub with warm/hot water, whatever is comfortable.
• The hotter the water the better, as it opens the pores of the skin and enhances the detoxification process.
• Use Glass, Ceramic or Wooden bowl & spoon while preparing a full body clay mask, avoiding metal utensils.
• Prepare a clay mask by mixing equal quantity of Indus Healing Clay and Water OR Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Mix it well to achieve a smooth, lump free, uniform paste.
• Before you get into the tub, apply clay all over your body to create a mask and let dry for about 5 minutes.
• Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes and use a washcloth to gently remove the clay mask from your skin.
• Be sure to remove the entire body clay mask properly and then rinse with cold water (not too cold) before towel blotting the face and body skin.

NOTE:

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your clay body bath to stay hydrated to support your body’s detox process.
• If the clay body bath is making you feel uncomfortable, lightheaded, or just plain sick (common side effects of detox body bath), try reducing the amount of clay used in making the paste, use less warm water and reduce the entire bathing time by reducing clay drying and body soaking time.
• If the condition persists, discontinue taking whole body clay bath.  
• Apply a lightweight water based moisturizer after taking a clay body bath. These moisturizers will complement all the work the clay mask did.
• It is recommend taking a clay body bath about once a week for normal & oily skin and once every 15 days for dry & sensitive skin types.
• When you are finished, let your bathtub water or shower water run for an extra 2-3 minutes to allow all the clay to move out from the drainpipes. If you have a concern about the clay clogging your drain, wait a few hours for the clay to settle to the bottom of the bathtub, and then use paper towels to scoop out the settled clay.

FEET DETOX SOAK
Our feet take on a lot of stress and are prone to skin irritation and rashes as they are exposed to more bacteria, germs and toxins.
Indus Healing Clay feet detox soak will do wonders by pulling bacteria and germs from feet, relieves aches & pains and provides a relaxing experience. The rich mineral content of Indus Healing Clay makes your feet feel softer and makes them sore free. Feet detox soak is also helpful for people with foot odour or fungal infections.

• Take a plastic container (bowl or bucket) large enough to submerge your both feet in with high sides so that you can easily soak your both feet and ankles. 
• Fill the container with hot water (not boiling water) and dissolve ½ cup of either Epsom Salt OR a mixture of Sea salt and Baking soda, and set it aside.
• Hot water alone in the container without mixing anything extra in it is also good enough for Indus Healing Clay feet detox soak.
• Prepare a clay feet mask by mixing equal quantity of Indus Healing Clay and water OR Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Use Glass, Ceramic or Wooden bowl & spoon while preparing a feet mask.
• Mix it well to achieve a smooth, lump free, uniform and slightly thick consistency paste.
• Use your fingers and hands to apply the paste onto your feet, rubbing your fingers gently to spread it out in a layer of about 1/8 inch thick.
• Leave the mask on your feet for about 15-20 minutes for normal skin and 5-10 minutes for dry and very sensitive skin.
• Then place your clay masked feet in the hot water container.
• Keep soaking your feet for about 15-20 minutes and allow the clay to naturally dissolve and come off your feet.
• Use washcloth to gently remove any excess clay left on feet and ankles and finally wash your feet with warm water.
• Pat your feet and ankles dry with a towel and then apply a lightweight water based moisturizer.

Note : The Feet Detox Soak therapy is very soothing and has many benefits but should not be taken if you have bleeding, bruising or tenderness following a foot injury.

DEODORANT MASK
Body odour actually results from the metabolizing of bacteria on the skin of different areas of the body. The bacterium breaks down the sweat into acids that cause the unpleasant smell. Indus Healing Clay body-mask is a natural deodorant as it effectively absorbs & eliminates the odour-causing bacteria from the skin. The minerals of the clay also prevent bacteria formation and give your body a naturally pleasant smell.
Clay Body Bath (Recipe-03) takes care of body odour, but most of the body odour is usually associated with the armpits. A simple clay mask recipe to detox armpits is given below:  

• Use Glass, Ceramic or Wooden bowl & spoon while preparing a clay mask.
• Take equal quantity of Indus Healing Clay and Water.
• Add 1-teaspoon of ACV (apple cider vinegar) – Optional and not recommended for sensitive skins.
• Mix the above ingredients well to get yogurt like consistency paste.
• Apply the clay mask in an even layer under each armpit rubbing your fingers gently in small circles to spread it out.
• Do not scrub vigorously as this could irritate your skin.
• Leave the clay mask on for a few minutes for the first few times, then slowly increase the time to no longer than 15 minutes for normal skin and 5 minutes for sensitive skin types.
• Wash the clay mask off the armpits by running warm water under the shower.
• Gently pat dry your armpits with a clean soft towel.
• Make sure you clean and dry your armpits well.

Note:

• You can apply deodorant mask on your armpits twice a week for normal skin and once every week for sensitive skin.
• Slight redness of the armpit skin is quite normal; however, if anyone experiences any other reactions to the clay, wash the clay mask off immediately.