Benefits of Multani Mitti

Multani mitti is widely known for its use in beauty and skin care remedies. Primarily multani mitti face packs to reduce oiliness and lend a healthy glow to the skin, this naturally occurring form of clay has several other uses for skin and hair. Go on and read on to know more about multani mitti and how you can use it for your skin and hair! You will not regret it for sure.

Multani mitti, meaning 'mud from Multan', is also popular as fuller's earth. Packed with minerals, fuller's earth primarily contains varying composition of hydrous aluminium silicates or clay minerals. Common components found in fuller's earth are montmorillonite, kaolinite, and attapulgite, including small amounts of other minerals like calcite, dolomite, and quartz. In some places, fuller's earth refers to calcium bentonite, altered volcanic ash which is mostly composed of montmorillonite.

The name 'fuller's earth' is applicable to any clay material with the ability to decolourise oil or other liquids without chemical treatment. Historically, the name is derived from the word 'fullers' or textile workers. Fullers used clay material for cleaning or 'fulling' wool by kneading it with water into woollen fibres to absorb lanolin, oils, and other impurities as part of the cloth finishing process.

As fuller's earth is a good absorbent, this compound sees a variety of uses today in filters, decontamination, treatment for poisoning, litter boxes, and as a cleaning agent. In cosmetology and dermatology, fuller’s earth is effective as a cleanser, removing oil, dirt, and impurities from the skin and also helping treat acne and other skin problems.

Even if you have excessively oily skin, it is not recommended to use a multani mitti face pack daily as it can dry out your skin. If your skin becomes excessively dry, your oil glands will be triggered to produce more oil to keep your skin moisturised.

Stick to using multani mitti face packs only a couple of times a week; for sensitive skin, use them only once a week. Always follow up with a moisturiser that suits your skin type. If you have oily skin, go for a light formula to keep your skin from looking greasy.

To control oil during the day, keep wipes at hand and simply blot your skin dry. You could also wash your face with water and blot your skin dry. Follow a regular skin care routine that involves cleansing, toning, and moisturising. Don’t forget sun protection!

Multani mitti has high absorbing power which can leave skin dehydrated. As such, excessive use is not recommended, especially for those with dry or very sensitive skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, mix multani mitti with ingredients like aloe vera gel and rose water to control inflammation, and ingredients like milk and honey for intense hydration. Alternatively, use kaolin clay which is the gentlest clay with mild exfoliating properties.

Bear in mind that while multani mitti has many benefits for skin and hair, its advantages work only when applied topically. Multani mitti can be dangerous to consume as it can lead to blocked intestines or be the cause of kidney stones.

While looking up the benefits of multani mitti, I was reminded of my early years at home and the times I would glare at the television, intrigued by advertisements endorsing beauty products. So much so that I would go up to my father and insist that he gets me those gels and creams which my mother would vehemently brush aside. My mother has been a religious believer of natural ingredients. "Your beauty kit is inside here, here in the kitchen," she would say. I now recollect her saving bits and pieces of tomatoes, cucumber, some lemon juice and use them on her skin. Other than those, there were other herbal ingredients that I could find in her inexpensive, humble vanity box, such as masoor dal powder, besan (gram flour) and sandalwood powder. I didn't realise the power of natural ingredients then, but only now I can see through the commercial facade of beauty industry. Almost all beauty and cosmetic products claim to have natural extracts in their products. If natural is the way to go, why not embrace it in its rawest form?

One of the ingredients that still exists in my mother's beauty kit till today is multani mitti. She would simply mix it with rose water, milk and even glycerin and apply it on her face. According to her, there is no better cure for most skin related issues than multani mitti. After trying almost every cosmetic cream on my adamant acne-proned skin, I resorted to applying multani mitti on my face, and it worked like magic! The benefits of multani mitti are making it a global rage too. It is used for a variety of skin woes. 

Multani mitti can be used to solve hair and scalp problems too.

- For split ends, mix multani mitti with enough curd to make a paste. Apply to hair from root to tips and allow to dry. Rinse with cold water.

- To stop hair fall, add black pepper powder to above paste and mix well. Apply to the scalp and wash off with mild shampoo after 30 minutes.

- Boost hair growth by applying a hair pack of multani mitti mixed with aloe vera gel and lemon juice. Allow to dry and wash off a with mild shampoo.

- For dry hair, mix multani mitti with curd, a bit of honey, and a dash of lemon juice. Apply the hair pack from root to tips and rinse with cold water after 30 minutes.

- To deep-condition your hair, massage your scalp and hair with warm sesame oil. After an hour, apply multani mitti and water paste evenly on scalp and hair. Rinse after 15-20 minutes.

- To control oil and cleanse your scalp and hair, mix multani mitti and reetha powder in equal quantities. Make a paste using water. Apply to hair from roots to ends and rinse after 20-30 minutes.

- To treat dandruff, soak a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in water for 12 hours. Grind to a smooth paste. Mix with five tablespoons of multani mitti and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Add water, if required. Apply to the scalp and wash off after 30 minutes.