It’s been making an appearance everywhere–in lemonade, skincare products, and even pizza crust. Why is everything turning dark, or more specifically charcoal grey, and and how can this blackish-hued substance deliver on its promise to help cleanse and detox the body, whiten teeth, and treat common skin ailments.
Activated charcoal has been used for centuries as part of medicinal detoxification and filtration processes. Doctors use it medically to draw poison from the body. It’s common to see it used in products such as water filters, and part of coffeemakers to purify the water before each brew. Toxins and poisons bind to the charcoal through tiny pores.
Some benefits and uses for activated charcoal include:
As a tooth whitener–it adsorbs plaque and microscopic tidbits that stain teeth. Wet a toothbrush and dip into powdered activated charcoal. Brush teeth as normal, paying special attention to areas showing the most staining. Sip a bit of water, swish through mouth thoroughly and spit. Rinse well, until spit is clear. Do this 2-3 times per week. Note, activated charcoal can stain some dental work and bathroom surfaces, consult with your dentist first and protect porous materials such as grout.
To purify water–activated charcoal traps impurities in water including solvents, pesticides, industrial waste, and other chemicals. Typical tap water is toxic and laden with chemicals, toxins, and fluoride. Detoxing from fluoride is important for oral health, proper immune system functioning, and healthy kidneys and liver. Purified water also helps soothe the digestive tract, fight fatigue, keep organs operating, and provide lubrication for joints and tissues.
For skincare/bug bites/rashes, etc.–for external treatments, it’s effective at treating acne and relieving discomfort from insect bites, rashes from poison ivy or poison oak, and snake bites. Mix activated charcoal with ½ tablespoon of coconut oil, dab on affected area, and cover with a bandage.
To treat acne, mix one capsule of activated charcoal with two teaspoons of aloe vera gel and smooth over face. Let dry and rinse off completely. The activated charcoal binds with environmental toxins and dirt that contribute to acne.
For internal body cleanse/detox–to support overall health and wellness. It helps to promote a healthy digestive tract by removing toxins that cause allergic reactions, oxidative damage, and poor immune system function. It benefits major organs by helping the body flush out the toxins and chemicals that cause the damage
During the cleanse, eat only organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meat, and wild fish and be sure to drink 8-10 glasses of purified water per day.
There are a number of other benefits of activated charcoal and before starting any new healthcare regimen, be sure to consult your physician or healthcare provider first.