Does Activated Charcoal Benefits Health?
Activated Charcoal has been used in traditional medicines since ancient times. Indian Ayurveda and Chinese medicine have used this sooty, jet-black powder for thousands of years.
Charcoal versus Activated Charcoal
While charcoal is used extensively in grill and barbecue, it is not the same as Activated Charcoal. Activated Charcoal is a combination of coal, wood, bamboo, coconut shell and others materials that are processed by subjecting them to very high temperatures and exposing them to certain gases.
This process makes this compound extremely porous, thus making it ‘active’. This gives it the capability of binding powerfully to any substance and not merely absorbing it.
Activated Charcoal is tasteless, odorless and non-toxic. Little wonder this powerful purifying compound is extensively used in water and air filters.
Health benefits of Activated Charcoal
1) Toxin remedy
In case of accidental poisoning, ingesting Activated Charcoal cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract. Acting as a decontaminant, it binds with around 50 percent of toxins in the stomach and intestines.
Activated Charcoal finds use in poison control centers and hospitals for certain types of poisoning.
Its use also obviates or minimizes the use of stomach pumping, since this compound binds with and draws out much of the offending toxic substances, even after it enters the bloodstream.
However, use of Activated Charcoal in poisoning cases is best left to trained staff. Sometimes, poison control centers or hospitals may instruct the poisoned person to administer Activated Charcoal at home and then follow up in the emergency room.
2) Oral care
Used orally, Activated Charcoal removes bacteria and other harmful substances in the mouth by binding them to the many tiny pores on its surface. This is the reason why it is an essential ingredient of toothpastes, powders and oral health rinses.
Not only does Activated Charcoal remove harmful substances from the mouth, but also binds the substances that stain the teeth, thereby acting as a teeth whitener.
3) Relieves bug bite itching and pain
Since Activated Charcoal possesses the properties of drawing out irritants, it proves most effective in reliving itching and pain due to bug bites.
Not only this, this compound has been found effective in drawing out venom of a spider bite.
4) Skin care
The powerful cleansing properties of Activated Charcoal makes it an essential ingredient of many beauty products, such as face wash and scrub.
When the product is used as a face mask or cleanser on the skin, the Activated Charcoal ingredient binds with bacteria, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants, leaving the skin smooth, glossy and super soft.
5) Removing skin impurities
There are many organic soaps in the market that have Activated Charcoal as one of its ingredients.
Used in soaps and shampoos, Activated Charcoal removes build up and impurities and bestows the same benefits to the skin as skin beauty products.
Activated Charcoal products
Of all the Activated Charcoal products available in the market, one of the most popular is the Activated Charcoal soap for flawless skin offered by Ayana Wellness, this soap possesses all the attributes of Activated Charcoal, its primary ingredient. It is available online at ayanaproducts.com.
