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<p>To determine the scientific understanding of both mineralogy and geochemistry, in addition to establishing the pH values of healing clays, twenty (20) clay-like materials, which are believed to be used as therapeutic agents for treating various ailments, were procured. The samples were sourced from in situ field materials, stockpile materials brought up from 4&#xa0;m below ground level for processing, and finished clay products that originated from the study area and are sold in markets. All 20 samples of weight 100&#xa0;g each were sent to ALS geochemical laboratory for multi-elemental analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was used on four in situ clay materials to analyze the mineralogical composition. To establish the pH and EC values of the healing clays, 8 clay materials from different locations, each weighing 10&#xa0;g, were analyzed using JENWAY 350 pH meter and Hanna Instrument, respectively. The findings from the XRD Qualitative Analytical technique identified Quartz, Muscovite and Kaolinite as the predominant minerals in the analyzed clay samples. Rutile and Anatase were also revealed in some of the samples, although in trace amounts. The pH values of all samples ranged from 7.43 to 8.60, indicating an alkaline environment. The EC values of the clay samples fell below 2.0 dS/m, indicating non-saline conditions according to FAO guidelines, and are far lower than the threshold for saline materials (≥ 4 dS/m). From the geochemical analysis, most of the elements found in the clay sampled media showed depletion of macro, micro and toxic elements, which can be attributed to their low EC values. The implication is that the clay consumed by the practitioners would be harmless, as it lacks deleterious constituents and possesses alkaline properties that neutralize the acidic conditions within the stomach. It is evident that ingesting clay to alleviate stomach discomfort caused by excessive acid secretion that causes heartburn or ulcers seems to be justifiable because of the alkaline nature of the sampled clays. However, caution should be exercised when considering its use as a wholesale product due to potential variations in mineralogy and associated narratives. To add to this, the abundance of quartz in the clay samples poses a potential threat to human dental enamel upon ingestion. Thus, it is imperative that mineralogical and geochemical analyses be conducted prior to the consumption of clay as a medicinal product.</p>

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Clays as therapeutic agents: a focus on mineralogy and geochemistry of some clays in Ghana and their healing properties

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月10日

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  • Rasheed Mohammed Abdul,
  • Emmanuel Arhin,
  • Atta Adjei Arhin,
  • Pearl Ama Ndo,
  • Dickson Asante Armah

摘要

To determine the scientific understanding of both mineralogy and geochemistry, in addition to establishing the pH values of healing clays, twenty (20) clay-like materials, which are believed to be used as therapeutic agents for treating various ailments, were procured. The samples were sourced from in situ field materials, stockpile materials brought up from 4 m below ground level for processing, and finished clay products that originated from the study area and are sold in markets. All 20 samples of weight 100 g each were sent to ALS geochemical laboratory for multi-elemental analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was used on four in situ clay materials to analyze the mineralogical composition. To establish the pH and EC values of the healing clays, 8 clay materials from different locations, each weighing 10 g, were analyzed using JENWAY 350 pH meter and Hanna Instrument, respectively. The findings from the XRD Qualitative Analytical technique identified Quartz, Muscovite and Kaolinite as the predominant minerals in the analyzed clay samples. Rutile and Anatase were also revealed in some of the samples, although in trace amounts. The pH values of all samples ranged from 7.43 to 8.60, indicating an alkaline environment. The EC values of the clay samples fell below 2.0 dS/m, indicating non-saline conditions according to FAO guidelines, and are far lower than the threshold for saline materials (≥ 4 dS/m). From the geochemical analysis, most of the elements found in the clay sampled media showed depletion of macro, micro and toxic elements, which can be attributed to their low EC values. The implication is that the clay consumed by the practitioners would be harmless, as it lacks deleterious constituents and possesses alkaline properties that neutralize the acidic conditions within the stomach. It is evident that ingesting clay to alleviate stomach discomfort caused by excessive acid secretion that causes heartburn or ulcers seems to be justifiable because of the alkaline nature of the sampled clays. However, caution should be exercised when considering its use as a wholesale product due to potential variations in mineralogy and associated narratives. To add to this, the abundance of quartz in the clay samples poses a potential threat to human dental enamel upon ingestion. Thus, it is imperative that mineralogical and geochemical analyses be conducted prior to the consumption of clay as a medicinal product.