Activated Charcoal is a sooty, odorless, tasteless and non-toxic jet black carbon substance that increases adsorption- the process by which molecules of one substance bind to the surface of another. Activated Charcoal's superpower is to counteract the effects of accidental poisoning or drug overdose. Historically, it had been included in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine cabinets as a powerful antidote for digestive ails. It gained notoriety in the 1800's after a professor at the French Academy of Medicine notably drank a lethal dose of strychnine yet avoided fatality because he combined it with activated charcoal
Source: Any carbonaceous materials such as bamboo, coconut husk, willow peat, wood, coir, lignite, or coal can be processed into Activated Charcoal
Benefits:
Digestive Aid: Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), like diarrhea, gas and bloating are alleviated with internal ingestion. It is remarkable to treat symptoms related to food intolerances or allergy, food poisoning and hangover. A typical dosage is 2000mg of Activated Charcoal in capsule form (fair warning! the powder can make a mess!)
Purification and Poison Control: Activated Charcoal adsorbs most organic chemicals and many inorganic chemicals in drugs, pesticides, mercury, or even lead before harming your body. It is commonly found in water and air filtration systems. Anyone who experiences chemical exposures or overdose should go to the emergency department for care immediately, where they will routinely administer Activated Charcoal as a decontaminant
Oral Health: Used to whiten teeth in pastes, powders and rinses, it binds offending microbials and substances to remove stain and bacteria
Anti-Aging: Studies have shown improvements in brain function, kidney, liver and heart health by removing offending toxins that impair proper adaptation and organ defense mechanisms. In one particular study, Activated Charcoal increased an average lifespan by roughly 34 percent! Preventing hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and coronary blood vessels, it also benefits healthy circulation - lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol and improving HDL "healthy" cholesterol. The detoxification and cellular support provided benefits health overall
Skin Care: Due to its ability to removing bacteria, chemicals, dirt, and build-up on the skin, Activated Charcoal is a great exfoliator and cleanser found in facial products or masks, shampoos and wound-care salves
Risks: Use caution if pregnant; check with your doctor or midwife before taking internally for digestive issues. Do not eat within 1 hour before or after charcoal ingestion. Supplements and medications must be taken 2 hours following internal use to prevent the Activated Charcoal from reducing efficacy
Daily or heavy use can cause constipation and may turn stools black
Sustainability: An abundant and naturally-occurring resource, Activated Charcoal results from proper processing of many carbon. It is not at risk of depletion
Processing: A base carbon substance such as bamboo, wood, coal, or coconut shell charcoal is burned without oxygen to create char. The char is heated and exposed to gases through a multi-step process. This is the “activation”; the result is ultra-fine charcoal with millions of tiny pores
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3521259 - Reduction of IBS symptoms
http://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/4987 - Applications and uses
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2479433 - Anti-aging effects and lifespan
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16361855 - Application in chronic kidney disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2874369 - Effects on hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
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