The practice of eating soil, clay, or earth, which can occur naturally in animals, pregnant people, or those with mineral deficiencies.
From Greek 'geo-' (earth) and 'phagein' (to eat). The term was first formally documented in medical literature in the 18th century, though the practice dates back to ancient times.
Pregnant women in many cultures traditionally consume clay for its mineral content and to manage nausea—modern science has validated that certain clays bind toxins, making this ancient practice genuinely therapeutic for some.
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