What are Zeolites and Are They Safe?

Zeolites are natural occurring mineral rocks that are composed of hydrated aluminosilicates along with alkali earth metals. While zeolites originally occur in nature, they are now mostly created via artificial chemical synthesis. People buy zeolites because of their numerous health benefits such as removing toxins and cleaning the stomach linings, along with a host of other benefits. Zeolites can be taken in both powdered and liquid states, however zeolite powder is recommended for human consumption.


Zeolites formed in nature are a result of chemical processes that have lasted thousands of years. Whenever a volcano erupts, it emits a lot of volcanic ash which are spread out into the sky and onto neighboring areas. In case of presence of salty water bodies nearby, such as seas, oceans and salt water lakes, the volcanic ash settles down into the water. The ash is rich in Sulphur, which reacts with the salt present in salt water, resulting in formation of zeolites over a long period of time.

Because natural zeolites are formed underground or underwater in most cases, and because they are exposed to weather and dirt, natural zeolites are quite impure, making them unfit for consumption right away. Hence they need to be purified, then treated and made into powder before they are packaged and shipped.

Natural zeolites are usually preferred for human consumption and medical uses, whereas synthetic zeolites are mostly preferred for commercial and industrial usage, mostly in petrochemical and chemical industries.

Some of the properties of Zeolites that reassure their safety are:

1. Temperature Resistant: They can withstand very high temperatures (up to 1000 degrees) without any change in their internal structure, hence they don’t burn easily.

2. Pressure Resistant: Zeolites can also withstand high pressures, making them perfect for related applications through commercial usage and synthesis.

3. They don’t dissolve in water, so they can be mixed with water for easy consumption.

4. No Side Effects: Zeolites don’t carry any kind of side effects, so they are perfectly healthy for any kind of body and condition.

5. No Reaction to Skin: Zeolites are not harmful to touch or produce any long lasting effects on the human skin, hence they are safe as compared to other similar minerals.

6. No Effect on Environment: Zeolites are naturally formed, so it is obvious that they don’t harm the environment in any way. The same goes for synthesized zeolites too.