A process that occurs with the intimate blending of fine-grained materials (commonly clays and/or organic material) with medicinal mineral water or sea water for variable periods of ageing. Biological activity during maturation may play a role in enhancing healing properties and in shortening ageing time. Cation exchange between minerals and water may also occur during maturation, affecting the fluid chemistry, and this may enhance the physical properties (e.g. plasticity) of the suspensions.

Therapies involving the use of peloids (muds or poultices).
Cf., active principle, aesthetic medicine, antibacterial clay, geotherapy, healing clay, medicinal clay, peloid

The Mn-rich trioctahedral member of the chlorite group.
See chlorite

An obsolete varietal term for clinochlore.

A discredited trioctahedral Mg- and Si-rich chlorite, now referred to as clinochlore.
See chlorite

a) The formation of a stable dispersion of colloidal particles in water, usually by chemical additives;

b) In bentonite clay-product manufacturing, the use of chemical additives to improve the performance characteristics of the clay for a particular end use.
Cf., peptized clay.

A clay to which chemicals have been added to improve the performance characteristics of the clay for a specific end use.
Cf., peptize

As applied to clay science, percutaneous migration refers to the diffusion of elements from clay poultices (peloids) through the skin.

Replacement of a reactant mineral by a product mineral beginning at the outermost margin of the reactant mineral’s grain or fracture-bounded remnants.
See centripetal replacement.

An obsolete term for margarite.