What is zeolite?
Zeolite was formed millions of years ago when molten lava from volcanic eruptions fell into the sea, causing the water to boil. This boiled lava rock contained gases, creating tiny pores and a microporous structure. As a result, this mineral has countless channels and cavities. These increase its surface area and thus develop an enormous binding capacity. Zeolite is essentially an immense sponge, binding pollutants such as ammonia and odors.
Zeolite is a natural mineral rock of volcanic origin—a natural volcanic mineral—and has a high silicon content. This porous tuff consists of a crystal lattice structure with cavities. The reason for their formation is explained above. These cavities contain the cations calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, as well as many other trace elements. Professor Dr. Karl Hecht mentions at least 34 minerals.
Since when has zeolite been used?
Zeolite has been used since antiquity as a natural preventative and beauty remedy. Cleopatra is said to have maintained her beauty by taking clay baths and using face masks containing silicates.
It has long been known - under the names rock flour or volcanic rock flour - for its pollutant-binding and soil-vitalizing properties.
The Swedish mineralogist Cronstedt first described zeolite in 1756. He used the Greek words zein (to boil) and litho (stone, rock) for its name.
It became a household name after the reactor disaster. For those who want to know the details: that was on April 26, 1986, in Chernobyl. 22,000 tons of zeolite were used to encase the reactor and to decontaminate water, soil, objects, animals, and people.
Industry also quickly discovered the mineral. Unleaded gasoline is made possible by zeolite, and its use in road construction should not be forgotten.
Why is natural zeolite emphasized?
More than 50 different types of zeolite have been described, with even more varieties now being produced synthetically. Therefore, natural zeolite is clearly distinguished from synthetically produced zeolites.
Can zeolite be organic?
No. A product can only be organic if a non-organic version of it also exists. Zeolite is a rock. It cannot be organic. Only natural. So, if something says "organic zeolite" or "zeolite of organic quality," please disagree. It can't be.
Am I being too detailed for you? I think this is important. These marketing and manipulative statements reveal a lack of attention to the product.
What exactly is natural clinoptilolite zeolite?
Natural clinoptilolite zeolite is a species within the zeolite mineral group. Its basic structure is a crystal lattice with cavities ranging from 4.0 to 7.2 angstroms. The crystal lattice consists of silicon (SiO4) and aluminum (AlO4) tetrahedra. Within these solid, network-like SiO4-AlO4 crystal lattices are cations, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
The better the quality, the more minerals (at least 34) the natural clinoptilolite zeolite can contain.
Only natural clinoptilolite zeolite with a clinoptilolite content of at least 85% is approved in the EU as a binder for optimizing animal feed .
Yes, you read that right. Natural clinoptilolite zeolite is not 100% clinoptilolite. If you read that somewhere, please rightly question it. Such a zeolite does not exist in nature.
Zeolite deposits are numerous, but clinoptilolite-zeolite deposits are few. They are found in eastern Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Norway, Cuba, and Iran.
No, there are no clinoptilolite zeolite deposits in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. If you see a product claiming otherwise, please be skeptical.
The composition of clinoptilolite zeolite varies from deposit to deposit. They are not all the same. That's why the origin of the zeolite is important, regardless of sustainability issues and the mining quality standards in the respective country.
And each clinoptilolite zeolite can bind pollutants in a different sequence. Two new terms: cation exchange capacity and selectivity. More on these later.
What is natural clinoptilolite zeolite used for?
(When we talk about zeolite, we always mean natural clinoptilolite zeolite.)
In animals - Zeolite for optimizing feed
Pollutants and mold in animal feed irritate the animals' entire system and thus weaken their immune system. Zeolite can bind these pollutants effectively, but ONLY if the grain size is fine. I absolutely must write more about this. More education on this topic is essential.
Recommended average grain size: 14-35µm
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For animals - as stable hygiene and manure additive
Zeolite has been proven to bind ammonia, thus improving the air quality in barns and making it an excellent product as a manure additive, contributing to stopping climate change.
Read the report on Steinkraft's slurry additive right here >>>
Find specific recommendations for action regarding NH³ binding here >>>
On soils - as a soil conditioner in regenerative agriculture
For soil detoxification and activation of cation exchange capacity. Zeolite binds pollutants in the soil and simultaneously stores water and nutrients. Ammonia is bound and made available to plants. Because ammonia is not released into the air, this is also a very welcome measure against climate change. Again: do not spread zeolite that is too coarse on the soil; the soil cannot utilize it, or it will take an extremely long time. Recommended average grain size: <35 µm
On plants - as a plant aid, foliar fertilizer
Here, zeolite is sprayed directly onto the plants. This provides excellent mechanical protection against pests and stimulates the plant's metabolism. For both applications, the mineral must be very fine and have a good electrostatic charge. This is because it needs to adhere well to all crevices, including the transition zones between leaf and stem, where fungi and other pathogens can quickly take hold. If it's too coarse, it will blow away. Furthermore, stomata, the leaf openings, are on average 8 µm in size. For the leaf to absorb the silicon, the foliar fertilizer must be no larger than 8 µm. Therefore:
Recommended average grain size: <8µm
Check out our blog articles for more information:
What grain size is important?
In cosmetics - external application
Zeolite binds pollutants and can also attract them through electrostatic charge. It binds waste products of cell renewal and has antifungal properties.
Therefore, several applications arise: Zeolite for brushing teeth, for mouthwashes, face masks, face and body scrubs , detox baths, scalp masks to detoxify the scalp and thereby stimulate hair growth, as foot powder, deodorant, foot baths, for impure skin, and much more.
Recommended average grain size: <8µm
Order zeolite for external use here >>>
Frequently asked questions about zeolite
Why is zeolite now on everyone's lips?
1. The trend towards natural products is growing stronger. We also want to take more precautions. Animal feed, especially when stored for long periods or transported from afar, is often contaminated with pollutants, mold, mycotoxins, and other contaminants. Pet owners are becoming more vigilant.
2. Meat producers are becoming increasingly transparent, and if they want to work more naturally, transparency is essential. Feed optimization is a very cost-effective way to support animal welfare. And, of course, raising awareness about climate change is crucial. Zeolite binds methane. This harmonizes and supports digestion and microbiology, for example in cattle, while simultaneously making a significant impact on the climate.
3. Zeolite can contribute to soil detoxification and revitalization. It activates the ion exchange capacity in the soil. This communication needs to be boosted so that nutrients can be easily accessed by the roots. Zeolite can do this. That deserves its own article.
4. The demand for nutrient-rich foods is growing ever louder. Zeolite can supply plants with many trace elements and thus make a valuable contribution.
Zeolite explained in my father's words:
As a conclusion, so to speak:
"Material is hurled into the air by the volcano's fire, lands in the water, and is thereby transformed into molten rock. When it is then tribomechanically pulverized, it remembers its primal forces and makes available the energy of fire, air, water, and earth. It harmonizes with these forces of primal nature and brings the soil to life."
Have you ever seen Steinkraft zeolite under a dark-field microscope?
>> Look at these beautiful crystals! And feel the energy and the life.
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