The practice of eating earth or soil, also known as geophagia, sometimes occurring due to nutritional deficiencies or cultural practices.
From Greek 'chthon' (earth) and 'phagein' (to eat), literally meaning 'earth-eating.' A medical and anthropological term combining Greek roots.
While it sounds bizarre, chthonophagia actually happens around the world—pregnant women in some cultures eat clay for minerals, and even some animals do it—it's a real nutritional behavior, not just mythology!
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