geophagy

n. practice of eating dirt or clay (in times of famine or as a symptom of a mental illness)

Geophagy is a practice of eating earthy substances such as clay, and chalk, often thought to augment a mineral-deficient diet. It is closely related to pica which is an abnormal craving or appetite for nonfood substancesThe many possible health benefits of geophagy remain under study and are much debated. Many scientists believe that it is only harmful, while others argue that there may be adaptive benefits to the practice, since humans and animal alike have engaged in it for thousands of years. Like coprophagia, it may be dangerous because parasite eggs can be passed in animal feces. Baylisascaris eggs, for instance, are dropped millions at a time by raccoons and other wildlife. They can stay dormant for years, remaining viable even in extreme temperatures and drought. Some of these roundworm eggs may remain in the soil long after the feces have decomposed, and become active in the digestive tract upon being consumed. Children's predilection to engage in geophagia makes them more susceptible to worm infestations.
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Noun
1. eating earth or clay or chalk; occurs in some primitive tribes or sometimes in cases of nutritional deficiency
(synonym) geophagia, pica
(hypernym) eating, feeding

The act of eating dirt or clay

geophagy /dʤi'ɔfədʤi/
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