For years I've had friends comment on using activated charcoal. Until recently though, I had never tried it myself. I received a bottle of Just Charcoal from Trusted Organics to check out for this review.
I started reading up on various ways to utilize activated charcoal. The internet abounds with suggestions, but I wanted to dig deeper than just the surface to get to the best uses for activated charcoal. The first things to learn is that activated charcoal is nothing at all like the charcoal people use on their grills. That kind of charcoal is not good for you, and you should never, ever take it internally.
Activated charcoal is made from the by-products of coconut shells, wood, coal or bamboo. Just Charcoal brand is made from the shells of sustainably harvested coconuts. This is a fine powder contained in a capsule.
Activated charcoal is probably best known for its adsorption properties when used in the ER after accidental poisonings, but it should be known for the good results it can help you achieve at home. Adsorption is different than absorption. Basically, it means there is a huge amount of surface area on the porous surface of the charcoal powder and bad things stick to the charcoal and it all leaves your body together. :)
So, if you've been eating out a lot, and your digestive tract is all out of whack - you're a great candidate to get relief from taking Just Charcoal. That's what I did after we spent three days eating stadium food at the NFL scouting combine. I took the activated charcoal each night before bed, with a huge glass of water, and after just a couple days my system was back on track.
Other people take activated charcoal to help with bloating. I'm keeping some around from now on because I am sure there will be days when we will need it. I don't ever want to be bloated, but you know, it sometimes happens.
But what if you're looking for other uses? I've seen several reports of people using activated charcoal to whiten their teeth. The jury is still out on this usage for me. Several people sing its praises, while others are cautious because of the concern that you could brush too hard and damage your enamel while cleaning out the stains. You'll have to decide this one yourself.
Do you know you need a detox? Have you made a plan yet? Consider taking activated charcoal each morning (or evening) to help clean the long-lasting gunk out of your digestive tract. You'll want to remember to take the activated charcoal at least two hours apart from any medications or nutritional supplements. That way the activated charcoal will not be wiping the good stuff out of your system while it takes the bad. You also need to remember to drink plenty of water!
Another great usage for activated charcoal is as a facial mask to draw impurities from your skin. Get a small bowl and open a capsule and mix it with raw honey. Then smear the mixture on your face (avoiding the eyes) and let it set for a few minutes. Then wash off with warm water and pat dry. Warning, when you open a capsule you will create a mess, so cover your counter with a paper towel before you begin.
Overall, I've had great results using Just Charcoal from Trusted Organics. You can purchase Just Charcoal on Amazon - it is a Prime free shipping eligible item.
So tell me, what are your favorite uses for activated charcoal?
Leave a comment and give me some more ideas for this versatile product!
Disclaimer: I received a free container of this product in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to provide a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations.
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