Activated Charcoal

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Activated charcoal, also called activated carbon, is wood, peat, coconut shells or saw dust heated to very high temperatures to increase it’s absorption powers. It is normally taken by mouth in a pill or powder form and traps toxins and chemicals in the gut and carries them out of the body in feces. Some of the benefits of taking activated charcoal are: to promote kidney health, to treat intestinal gas, to filter water, to treat diarrhea, to whiten teeth and maintain good oral health, to use for deodorant, to treat skin infections, to treat overdoses or poisoning, to prevent hangovers, to reduce cholesterol, to maintain beneficial gut bacteria, to detoxify the body and to fight viruses and bacteria. In my personal experience, I have used activated charcoal and betonite clay for a detox a few times a year. I also take activated charcoal to prevent a hangover. It must be taken at night though, before the alcohol has been processed through the body. It won’t work if taken the next day. When you take it, be sure to stay well hydrated the day of and the day following. I use it in a mouth wash daily as well. Please be mindful, activated charcoal not only absorbs toxins and chemicals but also healthy minerals, antioxidants, medication and birth control pills and can keep these things from entering your system. It is best to take activated charcoal a few hours after the medications and vitamin supplements so it doesn’t interfere with their absorption. When used properly, it is a useful substance, one that you can benefit from adding to your wellness cupboard and using as needed. Stay well.