Hi niteblume,

I found this information that may help answer your questions:

Bentonite Clay Poultices:
http://www.ehow.com/way_5325296_bentonite-clay-poultice-recipe.html


Stings, Rashes, Bites
For bee stings and other common skin problems, use Bentonite clay with distilled water. Mix the two together, using only enough water to form a thick paste, and slather it on the problem area. Let the clay dry for about 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.

Stronger Body Poultice
For a more powerful poultice, you'll need the clay and apple cider vinegar. Mix equal parts of Bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar until it forms a creamy paste, then slather it on the problem area. Let the clay set on the body for about 45 minutes, then rinse off to pull out any toxins. Be sure not to use any metal objects such as bowls or silverware when mixing this recipe, because the clay can react badly with metal.

To use Bentonite clay as a poultice for the entire body, stir a pound of clay with a pint of apple cider vinegar. This time, make sure to add some water to thin out and dilute the mixture slightly so that the higher quantities of clay and vinegar do not aggravate the skin. Apply a thin layer of the mixture to your body. Leave it on for only about 20 minutes, then rinse off. This recipe offers enough clay mixture for two people.

If the clay and vinegar mixture is too drying for your skin, particularly if you're using it to treat acne, follow the treatment with a moisturizer.

Water

Remember, Bentonite is just dirt. If you mix it with only water or acv, when it dries it will "crack easily" and break into pieces and fall off all over the place just like dried mud. (of course, if you put it on "thick", it'd take hours to dry...just like mud)

Add something mucilaginous if you want to keep it "flexible"...that'd be (that you're likely to have): ground flax seeds, slippery elm, psyllium (IF#2) or aloe vera gel.

If you're using this for your ankles (because you feel you have mercury deposits), then almost anything will work. Mix it with plain water (or any of the other suggestions and water) until it's "sticky-wet-clumpy", pack it around your ankles and pull a pair (or two) of socks on over it. Just be sure it's a pair of socks you don't mind 'getting totally muddy' :)

Blessings,

Uny

P.S. And get castor oil packs on those ankles at night before you go to bed. EASY! Just get a pair of 100% cotton or wool socks and soak them in castor oil, wring them out and put them on, pulling them well over your ankles. Then slip a plastic bag over that...and snag a pair of your hubby's socks and pull them on over the plastic bag and go to sleep. Your ankles will feel SO much better, and you won't believe how soft your feet are the next morning. Rocky's still wondering what happened to his favorite pair of ultra thick/insulated socks! lol