Passionately Holistic

In our home Activated Charcoal is always on hand. Anytime we feel we are getting sick, or been around someone who was sick or is sick, we take Activated Charcoal. It is our GO TO for stomach bugs, bloating, gas, flu, colds, and definitely when us adults have had a little too much to drink. 😉 Surprisingly you can even use to whiten your teeth!

No, Activated Charcoal is not the same as briquettes you find in your grills, although how they are processed is similar. Activated Charcoal is a byproduct of wood, peat, or coconut shells that are heated to extreme temperatures. This process is what “activates” the charcoal changing its internal structure, reducing the sizes of its pores increasing the surface area. Charcoal briquettes go through the same process but have not been heated to extreme temperatures and contain many substances that are harmful to humans.

Activated Charcoal binds with toxins in the stomach and since it is not digestible the toxins are flushed out along with the charcoal through our waste. It is well-known for its use in Emergency Rooms when patients have overdosed or been poisoned due to its toxin-binding properties. Have you noticed when changing the filter on your water pitcher or fish tank you have to rinse before using and the water is black or murky? Most of these systems contain activated charcoal. Again another example of how it’s used to trap impurities and toxins. It is a wonderful tool to keep in your medicine cabinet for when that horrible stomach bug strikes. It might not make you symptoms immediately disappear but can help ease some of the symptoms. Again, if one of us comes down with the stomach bug we all go ahead and take the AC. It has worked wonders in our house. The same for other illnesses or after you have eaten a meal that wasn’t the best for you. Activated Charcoal can help with bloating, gas, and overall digestive discomfort.

Another use…I can’t go as far as to say I have found the cure for hang-overs but I will say my and I husband take AC “on occasion” when we have drank too much alcohol or think we might indulge more than usual. For example, company Christmas parties somehow seem to get us. We always take an activated charcoal before our night out. Alcohol absorbs so quickly once it reaches your stomach that it is better to have the charcoal already in your system ready to flush away toxins. Not only is the alcohol not pure but the mixers and sulfates in wine are no help. 🙂

My husband and I take the capsule form but we open the capsules and mix with grape juice when giving to our kids. AC does not have any flavor but most children do not like drinking something that is black. It also has a slight grit but when diluted with water or juice it is less noticeable. Be sure to drink plenty of water when taking AC as it helps to flush the toxins out and prevents constipation. Also note, do not to take AC when taking your supplements, again will bind and flush away, even the good stuff. We like the Coconut Charcoal by Bulletproof and typically find it in the “detox” section of Whole Foods, Sprouts, or other health food stores.