Diatomaceous Earth: What Is It, How to Use It, Where to Find It

Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be used as a beauty product, an internal cleanser, or a deep revitalizer for the whole human body. Filter grade DE is great for filtering, but should under no circumstances be ingested or inhaled as it’s very dangerous for your health. Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock

There it is—a bit of diatomaceous earth resting at the bottom of my water glass. It might not taste delicious, but its ability to cleanse my body and fill it with sought-after nutrients more than makes up for it.

Where Does DE Come From?

Diatomaceous earth is the waste product of unicellular algae. Over a 30 million year period, it has taken the form of white sedimentary rock that is typically harvested from the bottom of oceans, lakes, and rivers around the globe. After it is harvested and dried, DE is a fine, white dust.

In 1836-1837, Peter Kasten was the first to discover DE while drilling a well in Hausselberg Hill, which is located in Luneburg Heath, Germany. Until the first world war, most of the worldwide production of diatomaceous earth was from this region.