Activated charcoal or medicinal charcoal has gained enormous popularity, and that is hardly surprising. This jet-black charcoal is an adsorbent, a term used for substances that act like a "magnet," causing other substances to attach to them. This property makes activated charcoal a simple household remedy for gastrointestinal complaints, travel sickness, the day after a "hangover," and also for cosmetic applications and detox cures.
Production of activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is obtained from natural raw materials such as wood, peat, nutshells, lignite, or coal. It gets its name because the charcoal is enriched with oxygen after extraction, thus being "activated." Thanks to the oxygen, millions of tiny pores form between the carbon atoms. This increases the surface area of the charcoal, allowing it to act like a sponge for toxins, chemicals, or odor-causing substances.
Medicinal use
Many are familiar with activated charcoal primarily in tablet form. As a travel companion for trips abroad, these black tablets serve as quick relief for gastrointestinal complaints. Orally ingested activated charcoal binds toxins and bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and flushes them out of the body without any issues. Harmless bouts of diarrhea can thus be treated quickly, effectively, and without side effects. Charcoal tablets can also be used to support treatment in cases of poisoning, for example from salmonella. The amount to be ingested is then significantly higher, with a dosage of 0.5 to 1 gram of charcoal per kilogram of the (adult) patient's body weight. However, you should not take the substance for more than a week at a time and should consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
Detoxing with activated charcoal
Since hardly any other substance is as effective at binding and neutralizing pollutants, inexpensive activated charcoal is increasingly being used in other areas and has long been considered a small detox miracle and beauty elixir. Black smoothies, in particular, are very trendy. Hollywood stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Salma Hayek swear by the detoxifying effect of "black juice," which is charcoal-based juice. It should be kept in mind, however, that the charcoal does not distinguish between the substances it binds. Therefore, it should not be taken together with other foods or medications, but with a buffer of at least 90 minutes.
Application in cosmetics
That's not all: in the cosmetics industry, activated charcoal is also considered the new beauty aid par excellence because it absorbs dirt and sebum, for example in activated charcoal face masks. Since it specifically binds oil, it can achieve visible results, especially for oily skin. You can find special products containing activated charcoal on the market, but you can also buy activated charcoal in powder form and use it to boost homemade or store-bought masks, scrubs, and soaps. Furthermore, you can also use activated charcoal as an inexpensive tooth whitener. Apply some powder to a wet toothbrush and brush your teeth as you normally would. At first, your teeth will turn black, but after several applications, they will shine brighter. You should repeat this procedure for a few days approximately every two months.
• Are you interested in weight loss products? You can learn more here.
