10 Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

One of the latest food trends involves the use of activated charcoal, a powerful natural treatment that is best known for its highly absorbent capabilities. For this reason, it is mostly used in various detox programs, helping the body to get rid of harmful substances. Activated charcoal can be used in a variety of ways, ranging from different foods to drinks. You can even use it topically, applying it on the hair and the skin.

It Helps Digestion

One of the best benefits of using activated charcoal is related to digestion: in fact, many people use it to improve the digestive process by making food less likely to cause bloating and gas during digestion. Activated charcoal works by binding the substances that cause gas as well as discomfort. You can consume this ingredient before or after a meal, but you should only do so if you are about to consume food that is prone to causing gas or other digestive issues. Remember to consume charcoal with a hefty glass of water to speed up digestion.

It Treats Hangovers

Many consider the age-old remedy of water, aspirin, and sports drink as the quintessential hangover cure. Others may just prefer a warm bowl of chicken soup. But there’s a surprisingly effective remedy few know about: activated charcoal. While it can’t actually remove alcohol from the body, it can quickly remove toxins from the body that would otherwise cause painful symptoms such as headaches or muscle pain to appear. Moreover, it can increase the removal speed of unhealthy substances from the body. It’s important to drink plenty of water along with the charcoal, so you don’t experience indigestion.

It Cures Bug Bites

Bug bites of all sorts – mosquitoes, horse flies, bees – can be a pain to deal with, especially during the wet, warm summer season. With the use of activated charcoal, you can quickly eliminate pain as well as the annoying itches from your skin. It has been claimed to soothe bug bites, alleviate symptoms, and even help the skin heal. It’s surprisingly easy to use: just mix the powder with a few tablespoons of water as to create a paste. Then, apply the mixture gently over the skin, and rinse with water. Don’t do this without consulting your doctor, though.

It Whitens Teeth

If you’re yearning for whiter, shinier teeth, then activated charcoal might be just the thing for you. Many drinks and foods can easily stain even the most impeccable of teeth, including alcohol, coffee, and even certain fruits. However, with this, you can almost instantaneously see whiter and healthier teeth. It works by modifying the pH of the mouth, thereby getting rid of harmful bacteria and unhealthy elements. It can reduce the risk of ailments such as gum disease and cavities. It can be a quick and cheap solution for white teeth.

It Can Strengthen Your Hair

For cosmetic purposes, activated charcoal certainly has a high amount of lesser-known benefits, including its ability to naturally strengthen and treat the hair. You can find a great number of ready-made products for the treatment of hair, but if you want to ensure the quality of your product, you can make it right at home. To use it for hair, add a few tablespoons of dry charcoal into a bowl, and add a few drops of water. Mix the concoction well, and apply a few layers onto the hair. Rinse after a few minutes and dry the hair as normal.

It Absorbs Odors

One of the most unexpected benefits of activated charcoal is its amazing ability to absorb odors of all kinds, ranging from smelly foods to unhygienic bathroom fumes. Activated charcoal has natural properties that make it attract fine particles around it, the same way baking soda does. That’s why you can place some powdered charcoal in a dish and leave it in your living room, kitchen, or bathroom. The powder will almost magically make bad smells disappear, at least for a while. This will give your living environment a fresh and clean smell.

It Can Remove Toxins

Another popular use involves the removal of toxins from the body and its organs. Besides toxins, activated charcoal can also remove chemicals and other harmful substances, or at least aid their natural removal. Mercury, for example, easily binds to activated charcoal, making its removal from the body quick and hasty. Activated charcoal can come in handy in case of an emergency, helping the body to get rid of substances that might otherwise harm it. To ensure the proper effect, consume activated charcoal as soon as possible. Otherwise, contact your doctor.

It Exfoliates The Skin

One of the best uses of activated charcoal is skin purification. It makes for an excellent natural skin rub, helping to get rid of toxins and other impurities. It gently removed dead skins and promotes good circulation, and it also balances pH levels. You can use activated charcoal for the face, but be sure not to get in around the eyes. Also, it can be used as a deep-cleansing rub for the body, ensuring proper removal of dead skin cells. Mix equal amounts of powdered charcoal and water, and apply onto the skin. Leave for a few minutes and rinse.

It Cleans The Hair

Aside from treating the hair naturally, activated charcoal can also be used to wash the hair. While it won’t replace traditional shampoo, activated charcoal can be effective as a cleanser because it pulls out toxins from the skin, while at the same time exfoliating the delicate skin around the scalp. It can also reduce irritation and reddening, and it may even promote hair growth. To make shampoo from activated charcoal, mix a teaspoon of activated charcoal to regular shampoo. Wash and rinse as normal. If you’re worried about staining, use slightly less charcoal.

It Filters Water

Across the world, activated charcoal has found use in millions of homes: kitchens, bathrooms, and schools all use activated charcoal to purify water naturally. Activated charcoal has properties that help it trap impurities as well as pesticides and other harmful chemicals. While it may not remove every microscopic particle, it can significantly make water cleaner, especially if you don’t have access to more advanced or complex filtration systems. Charcoal can remove toxins that may damage the organs of the body, such as the liver of the kidneys. Make sure to change the filter every once in a while.