This ain’t your daddy’s charcoal. LOL Well seriously, it’s not. Please don’t use it as if it’s activated charcoal, it’s not and will cause harm. Activated charcoal is made specifically to be used as a supplement or in hospitals as medicine.
It’s used in hospitals on patients who have overdosed or have poisoning. It is able to trap or bind to these chemicals and remove them from the body thus preventing your body from absorbing the poison or drug.
Activated charcoal binds or adsorbs (to attach or bind to – this is not a misspelling of
It’s recommended to take activated charcoal 2-3 hours before or after a meal or before taking medications/supplements. The reason is that activated charcoal can adsorb the nutrients from the food and medications/supplements and your body will not receive or absorb any of the nutrients.
I use activated charcoal capsules, below. These I do not take daily but rather when I feel I need them. So when I’ve been out drinking with friends, and I can’t be hungover the next day, which is becoming rarer these days, I’ll take some. Also to help with an upset stomach.
BENEFITS
Reduce Bloating & Gas
Activated charcoal binds to the byproducts that promote gas and helps relieve discomfort. Take prior to the meal that can cause bloating and gas or you can take after the fact if you weren’t anticipating any issues.
I’ve used it after the fact for bloating and it does help. If I’m feeling a little sick or have an upset stomach I take this for sure. It helps me feel better pretty fast. I try to space out taking probiotics for an upset stomach with the activated charcoal, so the charcoal doesn’t bind to the probiotics. It may take a little time, 30 minutes or so it’s not instantaneous but it did work. Drink a whole glass of water to it going.
Hangover
So does it really work to prevent hangovers? Well, I’ve taken it a few times to try and combat just that, and I think it does work. Take it after you’ve been out drinking with a glass of water and let it do its magic. When I wake up I feel fine. Now I’m not saying I’m all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed but I’m close to it. I also make sure to drink a lot of water before I go to bed too, as well as between drinks. This all plays a role I’m sure.
Probably better recommended as a preventive measure than an afterthought. Still, I think drinking water between every drink and before you pass out, or go to bed I mean is best. Some say take it before to prevent others say it works after too. As with all things, you’ll have to see what works for you.
If you think you or someone your with has alcohol poisoning then please go to the ER. Activated charcoal isn’t said to remove alcohol itself but rather the other components in the drink which can lead to you feeling better.
Lower Cholesterol
Do you have high LDL or bad cholesterol as it’s known? Well, this can help with lowering your LDL levels and raising HDL, the good cholesterol. It does its thing by adsorbing or binding the cholesterol and prevents your body from absorbing it.
I’ve taken it on a regular basis but I’m not for sure if it helped my cholesterol, which is a little high. Mainly because I’ve made other adjustments that could also be the source of improvement. But given the way that activated charcoal works, it makes sense to me that it can help lower your cholesterol.
If you are struggling with lowering your triglycerides, which goes hand in hand sometimes with lowering cholesterol, you can read what supplement can help to lower your triglycerides here.
Skin Care
I’m sure you’ve seen all the skincare products that have been popping up with activated charcoal, even shampoos, and conditioners. We’re familiar now that it binds to toxins and it does the same in skincare. It removes bacteria, dirt, impurities and so on.
I have tried the mask and made it myself with the powder that I have already and bought one of the ready-made masks too. However, I did not find that either one did too much for my skin.
I get better deep cleanse with dry brushing and witch hazel after washing my face. I’m not sure perhaps it was just me, and maybe it will work better for you. I haven’t tried the shampoo yet, but if I find a good natural one, I’ll give it a go and let you know.
Whitens Teeth
If you drink coffee, tea, red wine then you probably have some staining. You can use activated charcoal in powder form to whiten your teeth and remove stains. It works the same way mentioned above except instead of adsorbing toxins/chemicals it’s binding to plaque and removes the staining.
I have used the powdered form to brush my teeth. The one shown above is what I use and it also includes bentonite clay. Ok, so activated charcoal is black, so when you go to dip your toothbrush in the powder and brush your teeth with it, it’s kinda scary looking at first. Then you get used to the black teeth which look like dirt that you are willingly using to brush your teeth.
BUT, after the first time you try it, you will never stop. Every time I use it on my teeth they feel so clean like I just left the dentist’s office. It really is that clean! Once you feel how clean they are you have no problem with the black teeth while brushing. I use this a couple of times a week when I feel my teeth need a little boost.
Just a forewarning though, when you go to rinse it gets black all over your sink. Small hazard but easily wiped off. If you let it sit it can stain your sink and grout if you have any around your sink. I normally try not to splash everywhere when rinsing. You’ll understand more when you try it for yourself. If you have any tips, let me know. I also brush with toothpaste after I do this, so as to remove any little black charcoal left on my teeth.
Using activated charcoal to replace your toothpaste can limit the number of endocrine disruptors products that you may be using. Or use it in addition to a natural toothpaste. More about which endocrine/hormone disruptors to avoid here.
Other Uses
There are other benefits of using activated charcoal from purifying the air and water, relieving bug bites and more. I have not used activated charcoal in these ways so I don’t want to give my thoughts until I try it first. I’ve read positive things about these uses too.
Please do not treat yourself with activated charcoal if you are experiencing any type of poisoning or overdose. Let the professionals handle this and get yourself to the ER.
I wish you peace and guidance on your journey. Take care and be well.
Comments