While looking for a pest control for my garden I ran across diatomaceous earth. After reading about all the health benefits of taking a tablespoon a day with lots of water, I decided to give it a try.  A DE detox. As the story would go, I immediately, within a few days, noticed my nails started growing like crazy.  Then after a few more days of using it 1-2 times a day with water, I watched as my skin became clear and youthful looking again. On the flip side, I was also becoming very sick! I started to feel nauseous all the time with a headache and pain, almost like the flu.  In fact, I thought for a moment I had the flu. But I never get the flu, so that threw me off. Then I looked up the side effects and realized what was happening. My body was detoxing the bad bacteria from my body and I was experiencing die-off.  Come to find out, die-off is a good sign!  That means the DE is doing it's job.  If you drink lot's of water and continue to use DE in smaller amounts, gradually you will not be effected by it and you will know, once the die-off dies off, that you have balanced your gut flora, for the time being. 

​Diatomaceous Earth is an off-white, fine powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. It is 99% pure Silica.  Silica helps the body use Calcium.  It also repairs vital collagen which, in turn, contributes to healthy bones, ligaments, joints, cartilage and skin. Food-grade DE also contains 15 trace minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, phosphorous, selenium, copper, zinc and potassium.  

​DE is safe to take on a daily basis.  Again, if you are taking meds, always check with your doctor first.  But for the average healthy person, taking DE daily has numerous benefits! I notice right away my skin looks more youthful.  I also get boosts of energy from taking DE.  Rule of thumb is to start out with 1-2 teaspoons a day for a week or two, then move up to 1 tablespoon/twice a day. There are no rules with DE, just be sure not to accidentally inhale it or get it in your eyes.  It's best to use a plastic spoon when mixing it in water or smoothie.  As far as how to take it and how often, that is a personal decision and whatever is comfortable for you.  

​DE works by traveling through the stomach and intestines, literally scraping the walls and then dehydrating and killing any parasites, bacterial and  fungal infections.  To get an idea of how hard the edges of the silica crystals are, on a hardness scale diamonds are ranked at a 9.  DE is ranked at a 7.  By scraping and ridding the body of these energy zombies from your gut, you will feel more awake and coherent.  Daily use contributes to the following.  

• Hair Growth
• Stronger Nails
• More Youthful Skin Through Tissue Repair
• Soothes Aching Joints And Arthritis
• Reduces High Blood Pressure
• Relieves Diarrhea
• Removes Heavy Metals, Toxins, Bacteria, Fungi, Parasites, Viruses, E-coli, Pesticides And Endo Toxins
• Healthy Immune System
• Healthy Colon
• Healthy Teeth And Gums
• Diminishes Age Spots
• Reduces Symptoms Of Menopause
• Helps Prevent Kidney Stones And Urinary Tract Infections
• Cancer Cannot Continue To Live In Cells That Contain Proper Amounts Of Silica
• Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects 

To See All The Different Uses For Diatomaceous Earth 
 https://www.diatomaceousearth.com/learning-center/

Source- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9533930​

If you don't have apple cider vinegar in your kitchen cabinet (or bathroom cabinet) (or cleaning caddy) you will want to make sure you pick some up at the store next time you go.  Apple cider vinegar has worked it's magic in our house, from healing sore throats, sinus congestion, irritated skin to stomach bugs, I have seen and experienced the wonders of this lovely vinegar!  I have also seen it heal our dogs irritated skin and digestive track of parasites when added to his water.  You can also add ACV to a spray bottle mixed with water to use as a natural cleansing agent on your kitchen countertops and bathrooms. Oh, and you want to know the best part?  It's inexpensive.  

When taking ACV orally, I advise no more than 1-2 tablespoons a day.  And of course drinking it with water or hot tea and honey. Doing so first thing in the morning is a good ritual to start.  For sinus congestion, I take a tablespoon of ACV and add 2 tspns of fresh, powdered cayenne pepper, mix it well together and take as a shot.  I then wait a few minutes and follow with a glass of water.  It's not an easy health shot to take, but if you are congested and in pain, this will most definitely help you!