What is zeolite?
Zeolite was formed millions of years ago when volcanic eruptions caused glowing lava to fall into the sea, causing the water to boil. This boiling lava rock created gas pockets, which created tiny pores in the rock and formed a microporous structure. As a result, this mineral has an infinite number of channels and cavities. These increase the surface area and thus develop enormous binding capacity. Zeolite is essentially an immense sponge, absorbing 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 rock consists of a crystal lattice structure with cavities. The reason for these cavities is explained above. These cavities contain the cations calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, as well as many other trace elements. Prof. Dr. Karl Hecht mentions at least 34 minerals.
Since when has zeolite been used?
Zeolite has been used as a natural preventative and beauty product since ancient times. Cleopatra is said to have maintained her beauty by taking clay baths and applying facial masks containing silicates.
It has long been known – under the name primary 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 zein (to boil) and the Greek litho (stone, rock) to name it.
It became a household name after the reactor disaster. For those who want to know the exact details: it happened on April 26, 1986, in Chernobyl. 22,000 tons of zeolite were used to encase the reactor and decontaminate water, soil, objects, animals, and people.
Industry also quickly discovered the mineral. Zeolite makes lead-free gasoline possible, and not to mention its use in road construction.
Why is NATURAL zeolite emphasized?
More than 50 different types of zeolite have been described, with even more variants now being produced artificially. Therefore, natural zeolite is clearly named, distinguishing it from synthetically produced ones.
Can zeolite be organic?
No. A product can only be organic if it also exists in a non-organic version. Zeolite is rock. It can't be organic. Only natural. So, if something says "organic zeolite" or "organic zeolite," please object. It can't be.
Am I being too specific for you? I think that's important. These marketing and manipulative claims reveal the lack of care given to the product.
So what is natural clinoptilolite zeolite?
Natural clinoptilolite zeolite is a species in the zeolite mineral group. Its basic skeleton is a crystal lattice with voids of 4.0–7.2 angstroms. The crystal lattice consists of silicon-SiO4 and aluminum-AlO4 tetrahedra. These solid SiO4-AlO4 crystal lattices, which have a net-like structure, contain 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 feed optimization .
Yes, you read that right. A natural clinoptilolite zeolite is not 100% clinoptilolite. If that's stated somewhere, please question it with good reason. Such a zeolite doesn't exist in nature.
There are many zeolite deposits, but only a few clinoptilolite zeolite deposits. Eastern Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Norway, Cuba, and Iran.
No, there are no clinoptilolite zeolite deposits in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. If it says so somewhere, please question it.
The composition of clinoptilolite zeolite varies from deposit to deposit. They are not all the same. Therefore, the origin of the zeolite is important, regardless of sustainability issues and the quality standards of mining in the respective country.
And each clinoptilolite zeolite can bind pollutants in a different order. Two new words: cation exchange capacity and selectivity. More on that later.
What is natural clinoptilolite zeolite used for?
(When we speak of zeolite, we always mean natural clinoptilolite zeolite.)
In animals - Zeolite for feed optimization
Contaminants and mold in feed irritate the animals' entire system and thus weaken their immune systems. Zeolite can bind these contaminants effectively, ONLY if the grain size is fine. I definitely need to write more about this. More educational work is urgently needed here.
Recommended average grain size: 14-35µm
Do something good for your animals and order Steinkraft Zeolite right here >>>
For animals - as stable hygiene and manure additive
Zeolite has been proven to bind ammonia, improving stable air quality and making it an excellent product as a manure additive to help stop climate change.
Read the report on Steinkraft's slurry additive here >>>
Find concrete recommendations for NH³ binding here >>>
On soils - as a soil additive in regenerative agriculture
For soil detoxification and activating cation exchange capacity. Zeolite binds pollutants in the soil, while also storing water and nutrients. Ammonia is bound and made available to plants. Because ammonia is prevented from escaping into the air, this is also a very welcome measure against climate change. Again, don't spread zeolite that's too coarse on the soil; the soil can't use it. Or it will take forever to utilize it. Recommended average grain size: <35µm
On plants - as a plant additive foliar fertilizer
Here, zeolite is sprayed directly onto the plants. This provides excellent mechanical protection against pests. And it boosts the plant's metabolism. For both applications, the mineral must be very fine and have a good electrostatic charge. This is because it must fit snugly into all the crevices, the transition areas between the leaf and the stem, where fungi, etc., can quickly establish themselves. If it's too coarse, it will fly to the ground. AND: the stomata, the leaf openings, are on average 8 µm in size. To ensure the leaf can absorb the silicon, the foliar fertilizer must be no larger than 8 µm. Therefore:
Recommended average grain size: <8µm
Check out our blog articles:
Which grain size is important?
In cosmetics - external use
Zeolite binds harmful substances and can also attract them through its electrostatic charge. It binds the waste products of cell renewal. It has an antifungal effect.
Therefore, there are several areas of application: 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 on everyone’s lips now?
1. The trend toward natural products is becoming increasingly stronger. We also want to take more precautions. Especially feedstuffs that are stored for long periods or shipped from long distances are contaminated with contaminants, mold, mycotoxins, and other harmful substances. Pet owners are becoming more cautious.
2. Meat producers are becoming increasingly transparent, and if they want to operate more naturally, transparency is a must. Feed optimization is a very cost-effective way to support animal welfare. And, of course, raising awareness about climate change. 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 help detoxify soils. And revitalize them. It activates the ion exchange capacity in the soil. For the roots to easily find nutrients, this communication needs to be stimulated. Zeolite can do that. It deserves a separate article.
4. The call for nutrient-rich foods is becoming increasingly louder. Zeolite can provide plants with many trace elements and thus make a valuable contribution.
Zeolite explained in my father’s words:
As a conclusion:
"Material is thrown into the air from the fire of the volcano, lands in the water, and thus becomes molten stone. When it is then tribomechanically pulverized, it recalls its primal forces and makes the energy of fire, air, water, and earth available. With these forces of primal nature, it harmonizes and brings life to the soil."
Have you ever seen Steinkraft zeolite under a dark field microscope?
>> Look at these beautiful crystals! And feel the energy and life.
