Activated Charcoal to Detox
Activated Charcoal to Detox. I’m a big fan of activated charcoal. It is not just another fad supplement popping up on the market. It has been used for at least a couple of hundred years for medicinal purposes and can be easily incorporated into your health care routine to help detoxify your life. Let me tell you how.
Most of us have heard about activated charcoal. It’s been used in hospital emergency rooms for years to treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses. It works by attaching to toxins in the stomach and absorbing them before they can get into the bloodstream.
I am personally a HUGE fan of activated charcoal and currently use it on a regular basis as I am healing and recovering from a major chronic illness that requires a lot of detoxification. I cannot say enough about how much it has helped my healing journey. And I am planning on sharing more and more about my process here on the blog. I hope that you find it helpful.
WHAT IS ACTIVATED CHARCOAL?
Now I am not talking about the charcoal that you put into your barbecue grill. This type of charcoal is loaded with toxins and should never been consumed. Activated charcoal is a specific kind of charcoal that has been heated to increase its absorptive power. A gram of active charcoal has the surface area of roughly 5400 square feet. WHOA!
It is a fine, black powder that is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic. And it works by trapping toxins and chemicals in its millions of tiny pores. The porous surface of activated charcoal has a negative electric charge that causes positive charged toxins and gas to bond with it.
In an emergency room situation, activated charcoal reduces the absorption of poisonous substances up to 60%. It has been a lifesaver in many instances.
And folks have been using it for decades to help detoxify and cleanse the body at home as well. It traps toxins and chemicals in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesn’t reabsorb them.
6 WAYS TO USE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL TO DETOX YOUR LIFE
Activated charcoal is not just for emergency room use. It can also be used at home for things like daily detox, digestive issues, whitening teeth, brightening the skin, and more. Let’s take a quick look at how that all works to use Activated Charcoal to Detox.
NOTE: Please be aware that if using activated charcoal internally, it is crucial to make sure to stay extra hydrated in order to get the charcoal into your body, flush out the toxins, and to avoid constipation.
When using activated charcoal for internal purposes, I highly recommend using one made from coconut shells as it is the cleanest source that I have found. THIS is the brand that I currently use. If you prefer capsules, you can try THIS brand.
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1. BODY DETOX
Environmental factors like pesticides on food, chemicals in the water we drink and exposure to mold, create a toxic burden in our bodies. Many of us have chronic illnesses that make us more susceptible to these things, and activated charcoal can help lessen that burden.
It can be used to gently bind to and absorb toxins, mold, and chemicals in the body to help us feel healthier. I personally use it to help alleviate symptoms of my treatment for SIBO. I use it during treatment once or twice a day (1 to 3 grams), at least 90 minutes away from any other supplements or meds, to help my body eliminate toxins and by products of my treatments. This helps tremendously with the brain fog that I get.
I also use it when eating out if I feel like something doesn’t agree with me to pull toxins or allergic triggers out of my digestive tract. You can also use it at the first sign of food poisoning. I’ve done this many times while traveling the world. I usually take 0.5 to 1 gram every couple of hours until resolved.
It can also be used for a gentle 2-day detox once in a while by taking 1 to 1.5 grams 3 times a day. Be sure to take at least 90 minutes before a meal or any other supplement. And lots of water, of course!
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2. REDUCE GAS AND BLOATING
Got gas and bloating? Try taking about 500 mg of activated charcoal about an hour before your meal. It works by binding the gas-causing byproducts in foods that cause discomfort. Be sure to drink a glass or two of water with your dose to help get the charcoal into your body.
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3. TEETH WHITENING
It may sound crazy, but you can use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth. Simply pour the content of one capsule onto a wet toothbrush. Carefully (because the stuff can be messy) insert toothbrush into your mouth and brush for 2-3 minutes. Spit and rinse. I have heard that some folks are concerned about the abrasiveness of the charcoal. If you are worried or have sensitive teeth. You can simply create a paste with the charcoal and a bit of water and dab onto your teeth. Allow to sit for 3 minutes then rinse. You can also use a great toothpaste for this PerioBiotic Silver Toothpaste.
NOTE: With plain Acitvated Charcoal possible staining can occur if you have crowns, caps or porcelain veneers. In addition, if your teeth become sensitive, quit using it. Oh, and like I said, the stuff can be messy. Be sure to protect surfaces and fabrics.
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4. RELIEVE BITES AND BEE STINGS
Because activated charcoal is such a great all-around detoxifier, applying a paste of activated charcoal and a bit of water to a bug bite or bee sting (and then covering it with a cloth or bandage) can relieve pain, itching and swelling. Reapply as often as needed until feeling better.
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5. PREVENTING A HANGOVER
Now you guys know that I am not advocating drinking alcohol regularly, but it is said that taking 1 to 1.5 grams of activated charcoal after an evening of drinking alcohol can help prevent a hangover. And of course, water, water, water.
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6. FOR GLOWING, CLEAR SKIN
OK, this is my favorite way to use activated charcoal. Did you know that you can use it in the same way to help clear your skin? Activated charcoal is like a magnet to attract and absorb dirt and oil, making it perfect for clearing and refining pores. Activated charcoal when used in a face mask binds to and helps pull the dirt out of your pores, making them less visible (it’s the oil and dirt that makes them appear bigger). When dirt and oil in your pores come in contact with the carbon in the activated charcoal, they stick to it and then get washed away when you rinse.
Activated Charcoal when used as a cleanser or mask, can balance out and remove excess oil from the skin, leaving it clean and smooth. Be sure to use it sparingly so as not to over-dry the skin. I recommend using a charcoal cleansing bar that has added oils to moisturize as well.
Activated charcoal can help with acne by deeply cleansing and detoxifying the skin. It has anti-bacterial properties to help fight blemishes. It draws bacteria, chemicals, dirt, oil, and other micro-particles to the surface of skin, helping you to have that healthy, glowing, clear skin. You can use it on your face, chest, and back. Or simply anywhere you are experiencing break outs.
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HOW TO USE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL TO DETOX FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN
1. MAKE A FACE MASK
Making a face mask with activated charcoal is super simple. You can check out my DIY Cleansing Clay Mask or simply add a capsule or two of activated charcoal to a bit of raw honey or aloe vera gel. Mix, apply to face for 15 minutes, and rinse.
You can also add activated charcoal to any of the masks found in my Celesty Skincare Line. I highly recommend creating some time for self-care. Your skin will thank you!
Use masks with activated charcoal no more than 1-2 times per week. It can be drying to the skin. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizer suited for your skin type.
Don’t want to make your own? Check out this Purifying Charcoal Mask. It’s a mineral-rich mix of kaolin clay and charcoal. It’s the best quality charcoal mask I have found. Check it out HERE.
2. USE A CHARCOAL CLEANSING BAR
Another super easy way to incorporate activated charcoal into your skincare routine is to use a charcoal cleansing bar. Basically, it is a bar of soap with activated charcoal in it. You can use it 1-3 times per week to help keep your skin clean and clear. Again, use in moderation as it can be drying.
You can find charcoal cleansing bars that have added moisturizers. This will help to keep your skin clean AND balanced.
NOTE: This post is not intended to be medical advice. All of this information is just practical stuff I have learned along the way on my own personal healing journey. We are all unique individuals and respond differently to things. Please consult with your primary health care provider before making changes to your health care routine. And please research carefully anything you put into your body. Be well.