Healthy and beautiful thanks to activated carbon?

Activated charcoal, also known as medicinal charcoal, is one of the oldest known medicines. Even early civilizations such as the Greeks and Egyptians knew about their effects. And even today, medicinal activated carbon, whether pressed or in capsules, can be found in every well-stocked medicine cabinet. Activated carbon is not only used for gastrointestinal problems and detox cures, but is also used in cosmetic products. Here we will tell you all you need to know about the application, effects and side effects of activated carbon.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated carbon is carbon that is highly porous. It therefore has the property of being open-pored like a sponge and disintegrating into the smallest parts. In this way, he unfolds a large surface. 

This results in the ability of so-called adsorption, which is characteristic of activated carbon. This means that the carbon particles are able to bind other substances such as toxins, chemicals or odor molecules on their surface.

Medicinal activated charcoal is mainly obtained from plant raw materials such as peat, tree bark or nut shells.

Activated charcoal for gastrointestinal complaints

Medicinal charcoal is especially known for its use in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Examples include gastroenteritis (stomach flu) or food poisoning.

Activated charcoal can also provide relief for harmless symptoms that occasionally arise when traveling or after heavy meals. These include:

• bloating
• gas
• Diarrhea
• Vomit

 Activated charcoal should not be taken if you have diarrhea with  fever .

How does activated charcoal work for digestive problems?

The effect of the activated carbon is due to the fact that it binds to the triggers of the symptoms, such as bacteria or pollutants. In this way, they are first rendered harmless and then transported out of the body via the stool.

Help with poisoning

If chemicals or toxic (poisonous) substances have been swallowed, the subsequent administration of activated charcoal can help. The carbon particles are able to neutralize those  components that are toxic. The adsorption capacity of the carbon prevents the toxins from entering the bloodstream. 

It should be noted here that the charcoal should be taken as quickly as possible, the dosage depends on the body weight. Activated charcoal is effective against many but  not all toxins. For example, it does not work on poisoning with pesticides or ethanol.

Side effects of taking activated charcoal

The medical activated carbon works in a purely physical way in the body. This means that it is excreted unchanged. Therefore, there are  only a few side effects  or side effects. Excessive intake can lead to  constipation  or vomiting.

On the other hand, black discoloration of the stool caused by the carbon particles is unavoidable. However, this is harmless.

Activated carbon not only binds harmful substances

However, it should be noted that activated carbon does not differentiate in its effect. It binds pollutants and toxins as well as vitamins or other  nutrients . 

The neutralization of medication or oral contraceptives (pill) with activated charcoal is also possible. In such cases, the activated charcoal should therefore be taken at a time interval from the medication and only after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.

How to take activated charcoal

Drinking plenty is the top priority when ingesting activated charcoal. Because the carbon can only optimally disintegrate and unfold its effect in a sufficient amount of liquid. 

Medicinal charcoal is available  in tablet, capsule or powder  form. Activated charcoal tablets or capsules can be swallowed or previously dissolved in a glass of water. Powder can also be simply stirred into water.

How healthy is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is being used more and more frequently , especially in connection with detoxification cures, also known as  detox  . Added to a  smoothie  or other drink, it is said to support detoxification and weight loss. 

This type of use is based on the assumption that activated charcoal would also have a positive effect on a healthy organism. Pollutants that have accumulated in the digestive tract should be transported out of the body more quickly thanks to the carbon.

However, this effect has not been scientifically proven. In addition, the   activated charcoal added  to the juices and smoothies  binds some of the vitamins and minerals they contain. This prevents these actually healthy ingredients from being absorbed and processed by the body.

Means for more beauty?

The beauty industry is also promoting activated charcoal as a miracle cure. Charcoal can be found in skin cleansing products and shampoos, for example. The  cosmetics industry  also makes use of the adsorbing properties of the carbon particles. This should help to free skin and hair from dirt and pollutants. 

However, it is always advisable to take a look at the list of ingredients in the products concerned. The term  charcoal  should definitely be found there. Otherwise, there may not be any activated carbon in the cosmetics, but only a black dye.

Activated charcoal for white teeth

Toothpaste is sometimes mixed with activated charcoal. With their help, plaque and discoloration caused by residues of wine,  tea  and  coffee  are to be removed – at least that is what the suppliers of  toothpaste with activated charcoal promise. 

It has not been proven that the use of activated charcoal actually makes teeth whiter. In addition, doctors advise  against brushing your teeth  with activated carbon powder or paste, as it has not yet been clarified whether the tooth enamel is damaged by “scrubbing”.

With activated carbon against blackheads

If the purchase of beauty products is too expensive for you or if you prefer to mix your own cosmetics, you can easily make a face mask against impure skin with activated charcoal in your kitchen at home. The required ingredients for an  activated charcoal mask  are:

• 1 tablet of activated charcoal
• 15 grams of wheat flour
• 125 milliliters of water

The ingredients are mixed into a uniform mass and then applied to the T-zone. Once the mask has dried on your skin, you should be able to peel it off and remove any  blackheads from your face  .

However, one should not expect too much of an effect from the activated charcoal mask, because there is still a lack of evidence from scientific studies on the effectiveness of activated charcoal for the skin.

Where is activated charcoal available?

Activated charcoal can be bought  in pharmacies.  Appropriate preparations are also available in drugstores and well-stocked supermarkets.

However, it is always worth taking a look at the ingredients. There you can find information about traces of lactose. Patients with  lactose intolerance  should therefore be particularly careful when buying.

What else is activated charcoal used for?

Activated carbon is also used as a filter outside of medical applications. Such activated carbon filters can be found, for example, in water filters for  drinking water , in aquariums, as cabin filters in cars, in respirators or in cigarettes. Activated charcoal is also used as a coloring E 153 in food.