The Benefits of a Clay MaskThe use of clay for topical healing and internal medicinal uses traces back throughout ancient history. Clay as medicine has been referenced as far back as ancient Rome, 60 BC to be exact. Aristotle – the Father of Medicine – also referenced the conscious effort of eating the earth, in the form of soil or clay, for its therapeutic benefits as far back as 384–322 BC. Considering that the Earth is made up largely of minerals, which is the bulk of what clay is, it wouldn’t be surprising to find out that the use of clay as medicine traces back even further. All throughout the natural world we see animals use mud intuitively to protect themselves from excessive sun exposure, to ward off insects and bugs, and to protect their skin.