geophagy

Johns' (1986, 1989, 1990) ongoing discussion of Andean use of the potato has provided a convincing link between clay eating and the detoxification of plant remains.

The detoxification function of clay eating has been most recently and convincingly confirmed by two studies: one by Gilardi et al (1999) on Peruvian Amazon rainforest parrots; the other by Diamond et al (1999) on rainforest birds of the New Guinea Highlands.

In sum, it can be concluded that clay eating, among other effects, has both cytoprotection and detoxification functions that have been widely recognised by humans over a long period of time.

Mjoberg (1918:523-31) also refers to clay eating on the Evelyn River, on the Evelyn Tablelands in the north Queensland rainforest.