Diatomaceous earth (DE) possesses a unique structure that offers a range of benefits, making it useful in various applications. While DE has not been extensively researched, it is generally considered safe when used appropriately and in moderation. Studies on silica and other compounds present in DE do exist, but claims of DE being a cure-all for everything from parasites to viruses have not been substantiated.

Nonetheless, DE has numerous proven advantages, such as:

1. Natural Pest Control for Households: DE serves as an effective and gentle way to eliminate insects and pests (including intestinal parasites) without using chemicals. This means that pests cannot develop resistance to DE, making it useful against a wide range of insects.

DE is classified as safe for household use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and the Environmental Working Group also deems it safe for household and cosmetic applications.

How DE Works: Contrary to most pesticides and insecticides that work by poisoning pests, DE operates mechanically. It binds to and absorbs parts of the insects’ waxy exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and death. DE’s microscopic yet sharp structure can scratch the exoskeletons of small insects without harming human tissue.

DE is a practical solution for controlling infestations of fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches, and ants in homes.

2. Rapid Flea Elimination I will always be thankful for DE’s effectiveness in helping us overcome a severe flea infestation several years ago. We adopted a rescue kitten, which unfortunately brought along thousands of fleas. The infestation quickly spread throughout our apartment, and with a newborn and toddlers, it became a significant concern. I wanted to avoid using harmful pesticides since my children were often on the floor.

To combat the flea outbreak, we applied DE to our carpets and soft surfaces multiple times daily. Inhalation irritation is the primary concern with DE, so I wore a dust mask while dispersing it throughout the house. I worked the powder into the carpets, let it sit for approximately an hour, and then vacuumed it up. I repeated this process several times a day for four days until the fleas were eliminated. (Yes, it was a messy procedure!)

We also eradicated fleas from the kitten by gently dusting her with DE several times a day, being careful to avoid her eyes and nose.

Now, we routinely dust our pets with DE before and after hiking with them in the woods or when they show any signs of flea infestation.

3. Combats Bed Bugs DE is well-known for its effectiveness in eradicating bed bugs. Even pest control companies sometimes utilize DE to remove bed bugs safely:

Both silica gel and diatomaceous earth kill insects by stripping away a portion of their thin, waxy outer coating, which helps them retain moisture. As a result, they become dehydrated and die. DE acts like extremely fine sandpaper, primarily by abrading the protective outer wax layer as the insect crawls over or through the particles (source).

I apply DE to mattresses each time I change the sheets to help prevent bed bugs and other pests.

4. Silica Source DE’s high silica content makes it beneficial for hair, skin, and nail growth. DE consists of 84-90% silica and over 20 trace minerals that are challenging to acquire in today’s world. A study from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Pharmacy demonstrated that regular silica consumption might help increase hair growth and thickness. Skin also utilizes silica, and deficiency can lead to dry or brittle skin.

Research indicates that dietary silicon is advantageous for bones and connective tissue, although the specific form in DE is not well-studied. Evidence suggests a positive correlation between dietary silicon intake and improved bone mineral density, although the exact reason is unclear.

One theory is that silicon helps the body synthesize collagen (which the body uses in joints, connective tissue, bones, and skin).

Silica is less recognized for its ability to counteract heavy metals, but emerging research shows promise. A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that silica might help eliminate heavy metals from the body. The study specifically examined its high affinity for aluminum and found that it might reduce aluminum absorption in humans (source).

More research is needed on DE’s direct effects on silica levels, but its rich silica concentration may provide an affordable way to increase silica levels.

5. Detoxification This is where claims become less clear. Many products claim to remove “toxins” without clearly defining what “toxins” are. Since “toxins” could apply to various substances, these claims are challenging or impossible to measure.

However, there is evidence that diatomaceous earth may have a measurable impact on several harmful substances. Its potential ability to reduce aluminum availability is one such benefit.

DE’s high silica concentration may also contribute to its detoxification claims. Some evidence suggests that silica may help combat free radical damage similarly to antioxidants. This could be due to its ability to remain stable and carry a negative electrical charge, attracting positively charged free radicals. Though largely unsupported by research, this mechanism is likely the basis for claims that DE reduces oxidative damage and possesses anti-aging effects.

6. Combats Parasites and Bacterial Overgrowth When my husband was dealing with SIBO (more on that soon), his practitioner recommended drinking DE daily to help rebalance his gut bacteria. While research on DE’s ability to eliminate parasites in humans is limited, it is well-documented in animal studies.

A notable study from the Oxford Journal of Poultry Science investigated DE’s role in reducing parasites and improving egg quality in organic and free-range chickens. The study essentially concluded that:

Hens fed a DE-containing diet were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens on a control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the two groups. Additionally, hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs with more albumen and yolk than those on the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, DE’s effectiveness in treating a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens dusted with DE had a reduced number of mites. The results indicate that DE has the potential to be an effective treatment for controlling parasites and improving the production of organically raised, free-range layer hens (source).

While DE is a proven remedy for chickens with mite problems, its effectiveness in humans is less clear. However, many people have used DE internally to combat various types of intestinal parasites. Anecdotal evidence suggests DE’s benefits for human parasites, but more research is needed.

7. Cholesterol Improvement Surprisingly, the most well-researched benefit of DE for humans is not frequently mentioned. In fact, the only study I found examining DE as a dietary supplement focused on its role in enhancing cholesterol levels (source).

The results are intriguing:

• Participants all had a history of high cholesterol.
• They took diatomaceous earth multiple times a day for eight weeks.
• At the end of the study, subjects’ total cholesterol decreased by 13.2%.
• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol decreased the most.
• HDL (“good”) cholesterol increased slightly.

Researchers concluded that while the results were promising, further studies with larger groups and control groups are needed. Anecdotal reports of people using DE to improve cholesterol levels are abundant, with one family member experiencing a 30-point reduction in blood pressure numbers after using DE.

8. Sensitive Skin Deodorant I’ve been making my own natural deodorant for years (using this recipe) and love it. However, some people react to the baking soda in the recipe, likely because it is highly alkaline and may irritate certain skin types. This recipe offers a great sensitive skin alternative, using diatomaceous earth in place of baking soda (source).

9. Fungal Remedy DE is naturally drying and may reduce moisture. Although I couldn’t find any studies to support this claim, a friend mentioned that sprinkling it in her socks daily helped her overcome a decade-long battle with toenail fungus.
10. Skin Applications An additional use for DE! I personally enjoy incorporating diatomaceous earth into my beauty routine. My skin tends to be naturally oily, so I often add a bit of DE to homemade facial cleansers and face masks to help remove excess oil.

Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade vs. Industrial It is crucial to use only food-grade diatomaceous earth for consumption. Other forms of DE are not considered safe and may harm the lungs if inhaled. Many misconceptions about diatomaceous earth arise from confusing these types. Food-grade DE is recognized as safe by both the FDA and the EWG, while industrial-grade DE has various uses but is not safe for human consumption or inhalation.

Avoid Inhaling Diatomaceous Earth Research indicates that long-term exposure to industrial DE can be dangerous. Although inhaling any form of powder is inadvisable, the same level of caution is not necessary with food-grade DE. Food-grade DE contains much less crystalline silica, which can accumulate in lung tissue and lymph nodes. The World Health Organization states that diatomaceous earth is safe to breathe as long as the crystalline content is under 2%, and food-grade DE is 20 times lower than that level.

“Detox” Reactions DE may cause die-off symptoms, so it is essential to increase the dosage gradually. Some individuals may not respond well to DE, and I always recommend working with a knowledgeable health professional for any acute issues or when attempting any detox.

In our household, adults take one tablespoon per day on an empty stomach (we gradually increased from a teaspoon), and children take a teaspoon per day (starting with 1/4–1/2 teaspoon).