Would You Like To Know More About Activated Charcoal?
Although in the past, activated charcoal was used as a powerful water cleansing product, it has been found to naturally remove toxins and chemicals from our bodies.
Not to be confused with those briquettes for the BBQ
Activated charcoal is actually not the same as the briquettes which are used on the barbeque for grilling foods. Instead, activated charcoal is a fine black powder made from bone char, coconut shells, peat, petroleum coke, coal, olive pits or sawdust. The charcoal is "activated" by processing it at very high temperatures. The high temperatures change its internal structure, reducing the size of its pores and increasing its surface area The final product is a tasteless and odorless powder. Depending on the pH level of the solution (which has been used to create the powder), it may have either positive or some negative charges.
How does the process work?
Activated charcoal works by trapping toxins and chemicals in the gut, thereby preventing their absorption. The charcoal's porous texture has a negative electrical charge, which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, such as toxins and gases. This helps it trap toxins and chemicals in the gut. Because activated charcoal is not absorbed by the body, it can carry the toxins (bound to its surface) out of the body through bowel movements.
Activated charcoal can be used for the following seven reasons
- For alcohol poisoning (by a medical professional) and to prevent hangovers.
- As a digestive cleanse.
- As an emergency toxic removal in the case of an overdose of many different pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medications - including opium, aspirin, cocaine, acetaminophen and morphine. It is often used in hospital emergency rooms to treat overdoses. The activated charcoal that is used to treat a poisoning is a powder that is mixed with a liquid. Once mixed, it can be given as a drink or through a tube that has been placed through the mouth and into the stomach. Obviously, no one should ever try to treat an overdose or poisoning at home. Always seek medical assistance immediately.
- To whiten the teeth as well as general improvement to oral health. Wet your toothbrush, dip it into powdered activated charcoal before brushing your teeth as normal. Rinse well and repeat three times a week. 5. To alleviating gas and bloating. You can take activated charcoal capsules to help digestion while promoting the absorption of intestinal gas and providing intestinal comfort. Ideal if you suffer from IBS or Irritable bowel syndrome but once again, make sure to talk to your doctor first.
5. To get rid of mold spores.
6. And for the original use - that of water filtration.
For example, a 2015 study found that water filtration systems using activated charcoal removed as much as 100% of the fluoride in 32 unfiltered water samples after six months of installation.
Some words of warning
When taking activated charcoal to detox, it can lead to dehydration. It is therefore very important to drink as many as 12 to 16 glasses of water on a daily basis when you are taking it. Generally, the activated charcoal is deemed safe for most people, but it has to be avoided in case of some medical conditions such as slow digestion, intestinal bleeding or blockages, chronic dehydration, holes in the intestines or some recent abdominal surgery, because they may affect how activated charcoal reacts in the body.
Always check with your medical practitioner first (before using) if you are at all unsure.
Sources
Agrawal P, et al. (2018). A review on activated charcoal tooth paste.
wjpr.net/admin/assets/article_issue/1526368223.pdf
Alkhatib AJ, et al. (2015). Medical and environmental applications of activated charcoal.
eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/4987
Gomes CF, et al. (2018). Gastrointestinal diseases during pregnancy: What does the gastroenterologist need to know?
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6033757/
Hijen WAM, et al. (2010). GAC adsorption filters as barriers for viruses, bacteria and protozoan (oo)cysts in water treatment.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19892384/
Hulten BA, et al. (1986). Does alcohol absorb to activated charcoal?
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3710499/
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.