Earthen Plaster - Additives

Additives

Additives are usually blended with the clay, sand, and natural fiber to improve the workability and strength of a plaster. Sometimes additives are added to the finish coat and other times additives may be added to all coats. Some of the most common additives are wheat flour paste, manure, cactus juice, casein (milk protein) and various natural oils such as linseed oil. Other additives include, salt, sterate, tallow, tannin, leaves and bark of certain trees, xanthum gum, alum, natural glues, gum arabic, kelp, lime, powdered milk, or the blood of livestock.