Unraveling Clay's Secrets

We must say that we are totally mystified by the extraordinary results observed. However, we recognize that we are extremely fortunate because we have here a therapy that works incredibly well, therefore we just have to find how it works. 

Unraveling clay's secret will speed-up the acceptation of clay treatment for Buruli ulcer and hopefully for other diseases. More over, we may find ways to significantly improve the therapy.

We have a very high motivation to act without delay so the needy can benefit quickly.

We have several clues:

• nano-puncture of cells' membrane that accelerate débridement of necrotic tissues

• nano-puncture of cells' membrane that stimulate granulation (stem cells may be stimulated as well)

• nano-puncture of cells' membrane that regulate fibrosis thus avoiding keloids and contractures

• clay nanocrystals transit via the skin (transdermal)

• clay nanocrystals transit in the blood stream

• clay nanocrystals transit in the lymphatic system

• neutralized remote infection is drawn-out via the lesion

• neutralization of immunosuppressant factors

This is in addition to the exceptional adsorption properties of clay that are already well documented in the chemical industry (e.g. www.laponite.com) and the soil sciences (e.g. enzymes and proteins adsorption on clay surfaces)

We have more questions than we have answers, and our source of inspiration comes mainly from research done on Internet (links are shown hereunder).

Here are some thoughts about clay action:

I suspect that the illite clay crystalline structure plays a key role in the débridement process, the stimulation of self-healing as well as action on remote infections.

As you can see from the electron microscope pictures, illite presents a very fine "porcupine"-like surface.

On the other hand, smectite presents a "lettuce"-like surface.

We can see that Illite spiky crystalline strucrure is exactly what some US companies are trying to do, that is, micro-needle drug delivery .  http://www.che.gatech.edu/drugdelivery/ for example), except that with Illite, we have "billions of nano-needles" and that drug is simply the minerals and other trace elements found in the natural clay and in natural water.

I have been using the word "Giga-Nano-Scapel" since I first imagined this mechanism a few months ago.

Therefore, what I am going to say may appear foolish, but with good logic and close observation of my mother's work, you can see that this makes reasonable sense: 

• lesion self-healing (hyper-granulation) and re-vascularisation are stimulated by Illite GigaNanoScapel-delivery of minerals and trace elements found in the natural clay. Nanopuncture may have a stimulating and drug delivery effect like electroporation (see http://www.genetronics.com/tech_98/electroporation.htm)

• débridement may be caused by the GigaNanoScapel puncturing or weakening the membrane of non-healthy cells, thus accelerating necrosis (loose debris are stuck to the clay and removed when changing the dressings)

• the GigaNanoScapel geometry is very precise and the boundary between débridement and regeneration is very narrow; both effects are simultaneously observed on the lesion treated with Illite clay.

• GigaNanoScapel puncturing may help obtain supple scars and avoid keloids possibly by regulating fibrosis

• crystal fragments or nanocrystals may be transported in the lymphatic system via the open lesion and also by percutaneous effect (transdermal). Although there is no bleeding observed, colloids may also reach the bloodstream. Clay colloids are superb shear thinning additives, see www.laponite.com, "s'accochant ainsi aux fluides en mouvement", therefore, effectiveness on remote infections is likely (refer to observed "crachats" or “deep throat spit” in whitepaper).

• flowing nanocrystals, while circulating via the lymphatic system or bloodstream, may be attracted by remote Mycobacterium Ulcerans infections by electrostatic effects and may progressively accumulate such as to reach critical mass to effectively neutralize the mycobacterium. It is known that tumor tissues are more permeable to colloids or nano-vectors; it is possible that MU infections are also more permeable to allow the colloids to reach the infected area. Dead lipocytes, dead bacteria and adsorbed toxins are then treated as foreign matter and are expulsed by the most direct route, that is, the lesion itself (see observed terribly stench "crachats" or “deep throat spit” in whitepaper).

• although smectite clay has a lettuce-like surface, the leaves' edges are stiff and fine enough to cut partially or totally through cell membranes. That is why débridement and self-healing effects are also observed with smectite clay (results with illite clay are so good, that we have not yet tried to verify the results on a patient exclusively treated with smectite clay; patient well-being is a top priority).

You may notice that I am not talking here about the adsorption mechanisms of clay nanocrystals because they have already been extremely well researched and documented in the chemical industry and in soil sciences.

On the other hand, other researchers who were present at the WHO's meeting are going to experiment with clay in their labs and observe its effects on mycobacterium ulcerans and on MU's toxins. It is likely that the results observed on the patients will be confirmed, that is, that the protein adsorption properties of clay colloids will readily neutralize MU and toxins. If not, effectiveness on MU may be explained by the "entrapment" effect as observed on this extraordinary electron microscope picture available at:  http://ibws.nexenservices.com/suppressive_soils.htm

Now, more foolish but also plausible (I have a hunch for this and I am sure that we will be able to demonstrate this somehow)

• Illite gigananoscalpel crystal ends are very fragile thus can break easily, but can also reform quickly.

• Illite gigananoscalpel crystal ends can be more or less effective (i.e sharp and stiff) depending on various external factors

Ease of breaking crystal ends may be why we can read in books about clay packs:

• don't stir the paste

• don't compact it

 Effectiveness for reforming:

• leaving the clay under the sun will reactivate it

• leave the mixture rest for several hours and overnight ideally

 Geometry modification:

• dry clay has no effect (hydration may stiffen the spikes)

• overheated clay is dead

• irradiated clay is dead (irradiation is done is some experiments to eliminated dangerous and non-dangerous bacteria)

 Totally foolish now (this, I am not sure):

• Illite gigananoscalpel crystals may reform where colloids accumulate on a remote infected area, thus puncturing cells and bacteria membranes to help rid the infection. (a clue for this, that is, quick crystal forming, can be found in clay spray drying )

Spray dried smectite

I am now going to contact Clay Minerals experts around the world in order to better understand the dynamic nature of the clay crystal formation, crystal shape change, crystal fragmentation, re-formation and stiffness/straightness. Also what are the external actions that can modify the crystals, i.e. heat, light, irradiation, chemicals, etc. Concerning stiffness/straightness, I take this very seriously - take a look at slide no. 13 wherein the 2 pictures on the right show how hydration may affect the stiffness of the lettuce leaves.

I found a website on "Clay minerals and the origin of life. This is very enlightening!...

Please let us know your comments.

Thierry Brunet de Courssou - Thierry_Brunet@msn.com