Secrets of Activated Charcoal

When you think of charcoal, images of fired up barbecues for summer grilling may come to mind. However, there is another charcoal that has shown some significant health benefits since ancient times, but few know about it today.

It is called activated charcoal, which holds some impressive functions and uses as a secret health remedy on many levels. It is a secret because it is inexpensive, readily available, easy and safe to use. These are the four threats to Big Pharma which would rather you purchase expensive drugs, potentially with side effect, than educate yourself with a natural solution.

Use the secrets of activated charcoal to take control of your health and avoid the constant cycle of conventional sick care rather than health care.

What It Is and How It Works

Activated charcoal is described by Healthline as,

“… a fine black powder made from bone char, coconut shells, peat, petroleum coke, coal, olive pits or sawdust.The charcoal is “activated” by processing it at very high temperatures [which you cannot replicate with your BBQ]. The high temperatures change its internal structure, reducing the size of its pores and increasing its surface area. This results in a charcoal that is more porous than regular charcoal.”

The porous textured surface of activated charcoal holds a negative electrical charge. This means that it is perfect for trapping positively charged molecules such as toxins and gases. These binding properties enable activated charcoal to be applied as a remedy for certain ailments.

Secret #1: Fixes Stomach Distress

Whether you eat a meal that doesn’t agree with you, contracted food poisoning or have taken the wrong medicine, activated charcoal has shown to absorb unwanted gases, chemicals, and more.

Healthline reports on two studies that found,

“when a single dose of 50–100 grams of activated charcoal is taken within five minutes of drug ingestion, it may reduce drug absorption in adults by up to 74%.This effect decreases to around 50% when the charcoal is taken 30 minutes after drug ingestion and 20% if it’s taken three hours after the drug overdose.”

These studies are an example of how activated charcoal can ease stomach distress on many levels. Side effects could include constipation and black stools. It is important to drink plenty of water when taking activated charcoal.

Secret #2: Teeth Whitener

There’s no need for gels, mouth trays or expensive dental procedures when all you have to do is brush with activated charcoal.

Observational studies allege that after about three minutes the charcoal binds to yellow plaque and tooth stains with enough absorption to lift them off. It is a messy process, with several YouTube videos having gone viral just at the sight of black liquid covering teeth and dripping out of mouths. However, many recommend its teeth whitening effects. It usually takes about 1-3 months of daily brushing twice per day with activated charcoal and conventional fluoride brushing/flossing directly after for optimal results.

Secret #3: Gas Smell Blocker

If you tend to produce a lot of gas, you’ll want to change your diet. In the meantime, taking charcoal supplements before and/or after you eat may help reduce foul smelling gas, especially if sulfur is a component.

A diet using activated charcoal was cited in the New York Times,

“A few years ago an alternative to the elimination diet was offered in the form of activated charcoal, a treatment purported to be at least 2,000 years old. Studies showed that when charcoal capsules [] were taken before and soon after a bean meal, intestinal gas produced was greatly reduced and the bean eaters reported fewer problems with bloating and flatulence.”

Secret #4: Anti-inflammatory

Certain cytokines (sigh-tow-keens) are inflammatory compounds that travel through the blood looking to inflame cells and cause you distress. Activated charcoal has shown to bind to cytokines and extract them from the body.

The International Journal of Artificial organs cited a study of activated charcoal effects on inflammation Researchers from Biomaterials and Medical Devices Research Group, School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, United Kingdom concluded that,

“Preliminary findings demonstrated good removal of the inflammatory cytokines IL-8 (100% removal), IL-6 (80% removal), and TNF (51% removal) from blood.

Talk to a holistic practitioner or naturopathic doctor about these secrets of activated charcoal. Do not take if you are on medication as it can absorb them before they work. Overall, this safe, effective remedy could be highly beneficial for these and other ailments.