What is multani mitti or fuller's eart?

Multani mitti or fuller's earth is obtained from Multan, Pakistan. It is interesting that despite its widespread use in India, not many of us are aware that the multani mitti or fuller’s earth is actually a form of bentonite clay, calcium bentonite, which is an important component of a variety of high-end cosmetic products. Amazing, right?

Scientifically speaking, fuller’s earth is a type of clay which is made of aluminum silicate, which has minerals like calcium, sodium and magnesium embedded within them. However, according to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the particles of fuller’s earth are smaller than that of clay and aren’t exactly as plastic as clay. Fuller’s earth retains more water than any other clay and is thus very beneficial as a hydrating and moisturising agent.

The amazing adsorbent properties of fuller’s earth and clay have been known to mankind since the ancient times. The earliest records of clay usage come from Greece and Cyprus, where it was used as a bleaching agent for clothes, around 5000 years ago. The name “fuller’s” itself comes from the Latin word “fullo”, which translates to “working for removing oil from clothes”. It was used in the preparation of various cosmetics and healing remedies in ancient Babylonia.

Today, fuller’s earth finds a place in almost every industry, be it the cosmetic industry, paper industry, agriculture, dry cleaning, dyeing, water purification, foundries or even the pharmaceutical industry.

Did you know?

Apart from the use of fuller’s earth as a bleaching agent, various kinds of clay were used for making utensils (porcelain) and cosmetics. They were also used by some aboriginals for mud bath which were believed to be soothing to the body apart from being a detox agent.

from myUpchar.com के स्वास्थ्य संबंधी लेख
via https://www.myupchar.com/tips/multani-mitti-benefits-for-skin-and-hair-in-hindi/