Activated charcoal has been valued for its health benefits for thousands of years. This distinguishing ingredient in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine is also used in modern Western medicine, often in cases of poisoning.
What exactly is activated charcoal and how should it be used at home to benefit from it?
What is activated charcoal?
It is very important to distinguish activated charcoal from the charcoal used for fire or grilling. These are completely different products and are definitely not interchangeable, so please do not attempt to substitute them!
Activated charcoal is created through a special firing process to produce charcoal. The charcoal is then "activated" by placing it in a furnace at high temperatures, around 900°C, with steam and no oxygen, which is removed. This "activation" gives it an incredibly porous texture and a large absorbent surface, which is key to its power! Through the process of adsorption—which means collecting molecules of gases, liquids, or dissolved substances in a thin film on the surface of the activated charcoal material—it is able to absorb impurities, removing them from the environment and preventing them from causing damage.
Key Benefits
Oral hygiene:
Of course, we put this advantage first on our list. Activated charcoal can contribute to oral health. These amazing absorbent properties mean it is ideal for removing toxins that can cause bad breath and gum disease from the mouth.
These properties can also help remove stains from teeth, acting as a natural and effective whitening agent.
Our toothpaste, which is a blend of coconut oil, herbs, extracts and activated charcoal, is gentle and suitable for daily use. However, it should be noted that Elixio activated charcoal is more abrasive and should be used a maximum of once a day, or preferably 2-3 times a week.
Digestion:
Activated charcoal is excellent for removing toxins from the body. Its porous structure and large absorbent surface mean that these toxins are absorbed by the charcoal and flushed out of the system before they can harm our body. This makes Activated Charcoal a great remedy for food poisoning. In a more everyday sense, it can help maintain a healthy digestive tract, which in turn can cleanse our organs and improve overall well-being.
Air and Water Purification:
For similar reasons, activated charcoal is also used as an excellent purifier for both air and water. Its porous structure is known for removing unpleasant odors and even mold from indoor air. Spread some around the house to help purify your environment. Activated charcoal works in the same way to filter and purify water, removing chemicals or other contaminants. For these very reasons, carbon filters are often installed in homes for water purification and filtration.
Beauty Treatments:
Activated charcoal can work well both externally and internally! It is becoming increasingly popular in beauty treatments, many of which can be done at home to avoid unwanted chemicals! Add a little powder to your face wash, mask, or shampoo for an extra cleansing and detoxifying effect. Activated charcoal can be a good remedy for acne, especially when mixed with Aloe Vera gel and applied as a face mask.
Natural deodorants:
Activated charcoal is also added to natural deodorants. Not only does it extract toxins and stop odor-causing bacteria, but it can also help remove heavy metals from the body. By heavy metals, we mean substances like aluminum found in many mainstream deodorants, which can lead to diseases such as breast cancer.
Detoxifying supplements:
As you can see, activated charcoal has a wide range of applications that can benefit us both externally and internally.
One easy way to harness these benefits for our internal health is through detoxification with activated charcoal supplements. These can vary depending on the outcome you wish to achieve. Taking a supplement an hour before a meal can help alleviate gas and bloating. However, if you want to undergo a deeper detox, you can take supplements over several days, but remember to leave about an hour between taking activated charcoal and other vitamins or food to avoid the adsorption of their value by the activated charcoal. It is also important to remember that each of us is different, and it is best to consult a doctor before making major dietary changes or starting a detox.
We can therefore say that activated charcoal is an amazing substance. That is why we choose to make it such an integral part of our natural treatment like teeth cleaning and whitening.
We hope we have inspired you to use activated charcoal more widely in your daily activities.
Team Elixio
