Activated carbon, also known as medicinal charcoal, is one of the oldest known medicines. Already early civilizations such as the Greeks and Egyptians knew about its effect. And even today, medicinal activated charcoal, whether pressed or in capsule form, can be found in every well-stocked medicine cabinet. Activated charcoal is not only used for gastrointestinal problems and detox cures, but is also used in cosmetic products. Worth knowing about the use, effect and side effects of activated carbon we tell you here.
What is activated charcoal?
Activated carbon is carbon that is highly porous. So it has the property of being open-pored like a sponge and breaking down into tiny pieces. In this way, it develops a large surface area. This results in the characteristic ability of activated carbon to adsorb. This means that the carbon particles are able to bind other substances such as toxins, chemicals or even odor molecules to their surface. Medical activated carbon is obtained in majority from plant raw materials such as peat, tree bark or nutshells.
Activated charcoal for gastrointestinal disorders.
Medicinal charcoal is specifically known for its use in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Examples would be gastroenteritis (stomach flu) or food poisoning. Activated charcoal can also provide relief from more harmless ailments that occasionally arise during travel or after heavy meals. These include:
- Feeling of fullness
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
However, activated charcoal should not be taken in cases of diarrhea with fever.
How does activated charcoal work for digestive problems?
The effect of activated charcoal is due to the fact that it binds 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 through the stool.
Help with poisoning
If chemicals or toxic (poisonous) substances have been swallowed, the subsequent administration of activated carbon can help. The carbon particles are able to neutralize those components that are toxic. The adsorption capacity of the carbon thus prevents the toxins from entering the bloodstream. It should be noted that the charcoal should be taken as soon as possible, and the dosage depends on the body weight. Activated charcoal is effective against many toxins, but not all. For example, it is not effective against poisoning with pesticides or ethanol.
Side effects of taking activated charcoal
Medical activated charcoal acts in a purely physical way in the body. That is, it is excreted again unchanged. Therefore, there are also only a few side effects or side effects. In case of excessive intake, constipation or vomiting may occur. Inevitable, however, is a blackening of the stool, caused by the carbon particles. However, this is harmless.
Activated carbon binds not only harmful substances
It should be noted, however, that activated carbon does not differentiate in its effect. It binds pollutants and toxins as well as vitamins or other nutrients. Activated charcoal also neutralizes medications or oral contraceptives (the pill). Therefore, the intake of activated charcoal in such cases should be done with a time interval from the medication and only after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.
How should activated charcoal be taken?
Ample drinking is the first commandment when activated charcoal is taken. This is because only in sufficient liquid can the carbon decompose optimally and develop its effect. Medicinal charcoal is available in the form of tablets, capsules or powder. Activated charcoal tablets or capsules can be swallowed as well as dissolved in a glass of water beforehand. Powder can also be simply stirred into water.
How healthy is activated charcoal?
Especially in connection with detoxification cures, also called detox, activated carbon is used more and more often. 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 also has a positive effect on a healthy organism. Pollutants that have accumulated in the digestive tract are supposed to be transported out of the body faster thanks to the carbon.However, this effect has not been scientifically proven. In addition, the activated charcoal added to 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?
Meanwhile, the beauty industry is also promoting activated charcoal as a miracle cure. The charcoal can be found, for example, in products for skin cleansing and in shampoos. The cosmetics industry also makes use of the adsorbent properties of the carbon particles. This is supposed to help remove dirt and pollutants from skin and hair. However, it is always advisable to take a look at the list of ingredients of the products concerned. The term charcoal should definitely be found there. Otherwise, the cosmetic may not contain activated charcoal, but only a black dye.
Activated carbon for white teeth
Toothpaste also sometimes contains activated charcoal. With its help, dental plaque and discoloration caused by residues of wine, tea and coffee are supposed to be removed – at least, that’s what the suppliers of toothpaste with activated charcoal promise. It has not been proven that the use of activated charcoal actually whitens teeth. In addition, medical experts advise against brushing teeth with activated charcoal powder or paste, as it has not yet been clarified whether the tooth enamel is damaged by the “scrubbing”.
With activated carbon against blackheads
If the purchase of beauty products is too expensive or if you prefer to mix your own cosmetics, you can easily make a face mask against blemished skin with activated charcoal in your home kitchen. The ingredients needed for a mask with activated charcoal are:
- 1 tablet of activated charcoal
- 15 grams of wheat flour
- 125 milliliters water
The ingredients are mixed into a uniform mass and then applied to the T-zone. Once the mask has dried on the skin, it should be possible to peel it off and free the face area from any blackheads. However, one should not expect too great an effect from the activated charcoal mask, because evidence of the effectiveness of activated charcoal for the skin is still lacking through scientific studies.
Where is activated carbon available?
Medicinal activated charcoal can be purchased at pharmacies. Also in drugstores and well-stocked supermarkets are available corresponding preparations. However, it is always worth taking a look at the ingredients. There you may find information about traces of lactose. Patients with a lactose intolerance should therefore be particularly attentive when buying.
What else is activated charcoal used for?
Outside of medical applications, activated charcoal is also used as a filter. Such activated carbon filters can be found, for example, in water filters for drinking water, in aquariums, as cabin air filters in cars, in respirators or even in cigarettes. In addition, activated carbon is also used as a colorant E 153 in food.
