Activated charcoal provides a great way to help rid your body of toxic substances. The ingredient has many potential health benefits, including supporting skin health, temporary relief of gas and bloating, teeth whitening, and more. Find out more amazing uses for this unique ingredient here!
Activated charcoal may be the latest beauty trend, but this mysterious black powder could actually make a difference to your health!
It’s not the same as the coals you use on your barbecue, or the ash from your bonfire. Activated charcoal, also known as medicinal charcoal, is a fine, black, odorless, tasteless and nontoxic powder derived from certain carbon-containing materials. During the activation process, the substance is broken down into a fine powder that is nearly pure carbon. Then, it is treated with steam, oxygen, carbon dioxide, acids and other chemicals to help it expand and become more porous.
Medical professionals have administered activated charcoal since the early 1800s as emergency treatment for acute poisoning, gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections, nausea and more. The beauty market uses the ingredient in facials, cleansers and masks. Some carbon block water filters feature it for natural purification, and the natural health market uses this adsorbent agent to help rid the body of toxins and more.
Adsorbency vs. Absorbency
Activated charcoal is one the best natural adsorbent agents. Unlike absorption, which occurs when a substance passes into or through a tissue, adsorption is a process in which a substance attaches to another surface, which is useful in its elimination. The body does not digest activated charcoal. Instead, it binds to toxins, trapping them and carrying them out of the body through the digestive system.
Activated charcoal will adsorb most drugs and toxins, but not all compounds. It does not bind well with severely toxic substances, such as lithium, lead, arsenic, ethanol, acetone or hydrocarbons.
Activated charcoal is not known to be toxic, but you should always check with a medical professional before use. It may also affect the ability to absorb other vitamins or medications if taken together. Use activated charcoal a half an hour before or two hours after other vitamins or medications to help prevent absorption issues. In case of emergency, always seek medical attention.
However, if you need basic, everyday detoxification support, activated charcoal may be worth trying. Here’s why.
Potential Benefits of Activated Charcoal
Supports Overall Health: When taken as a dietary supplement such as Activated Charcoal from Nutri-Dyn, the ingredient promotes overall detoxification, helping the body to rid itself of potentially harmful substances.
Digestive Function: Taking daily dietary supplements like Charcoal Activated 280mg from Nature’s Way may provide temporary relief from occasional, minor feelings of gas and bloating by supporting the trapping and removal of unwanted substances and gas in the digestive tract.
Oral Care: Non-abrasive versions of the ingredient are used in oral care products like Activated Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste in Fresh Mint from Heritage Store, which may support whiter-looking teeth, protecting against stains from foods and beverages and helping to neutralize odor.
Skin Care: When used in skin care products such as D:tox System Facial Kit Travel Size from Giovanni, it may help improve your overall skin health by deeply cleaning and drawing out impurities, such as bacteria, chemicals or dirt.
Or you can opt for a 6 oz version of the D:tox System Purifying Body Scrub.
When used as a deodorant like in Deodorant with Activated Charcoal & Reishi in Refreshing Coconut from Alaffia, it seeks to maintain odor neutralization for a fresh feeling.
Hair Care: Small amounts of it, when used on your hair, may remove oil and dirt. However, it may stain light-colored hair, so test a small patch first before using it on your entire head.
After-Bite Care: Activated charcoal powder used topically may offer temporary relief from the discomfort of bug bites, stings, minor cuts or scrapes.
Juice Cleanse: You could even use it for a cleanse! In Los Angeles, for example, a juice store sells a lemonade cleanse made of raw sugar cane juice, lemon and activated charcoal for liver detoxification support and temporary relief from a hangover.
Start Your Own Detox
Improve your body’s detoxification processes the natural way. Shop Natural Healthy Concepts for activated charcoal dietary supplements, oral care and skin care products today, and stay on the all-natural pathway toward optimal health! For more cleansing and detox options, click here.
Have you tried activated charcoal? We’d love to hear more! Share your story in the comments below.
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Leslie Benson writes regularly about nutrition and healthy living for Natural Healthy Concepts. Visit NHC.com today to browse a wide selection of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements.
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A Midwest-raised journalist and content marketing specialist living in Nashville, Tennessee, Leslie is a natural health advocate. When she’s not at the local farmers’ market, you can find her writing songs and snuggling with her pets.
