Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is often associated with treating different kinds of food poisining and for cleaning wounds. It's made by heating carbon-rich materials like wood, peat, or coconut shells to very high temperatures whereby creating small pores on the surface of each molecule. When activated charcoal is consumed, these pores adsorb any added toxins which are then removed from your body as the charcoal passes through your digestive system. 

In addition to its amazing detoxifying properties, activated charcoal has many other health benefits as well. It is great for reducing inflammation and acne scars, it aids in relieving intestinal gas, you can use activated charcoal powder for oral care, and it can be used as a deodrant as well. 

The difference between charcoal and activated charcoal

Both charcoal and activated charcoal are obtained by burning carbon-rich materials at high temperatures. The difference between the two is that while charcoal is burned exclusively, some other substances like acids, strong bases or salts (such as chloride salts) are added to the materials to create activated charcoal. Therefore, activated charcoal has a greater surface area and smaller pores than charcoal which makes it better at adsorption and easier to digest. 

What toxins does activated charcoal powder adsorb?

Activated charcoal powder can help remove different toxins from the body. For example, harmful toxins in pesticides, mercury, bleach, opium, cocaine, acetaminophen, morphine, and alcoholic beverages can be removed from the body by taking activated charcoal.

Note: Serious cases of poisoning must not be treated at home. In such a case get immediate help from a licensed professional instead of self-treating.

Giving activated charcoal powder to pets

Activated charcoal powders are safe for pets as well. For example, Zen Principle Coconut Activated Charcoal Powder can be used to treat accidental poisoning in your pets, help with digestion, bites, burns, and wounds, and take their bad breath away.

How much activated charcoal powder do I take?

The amount of activated charcoal powder you need to take depends on a number of factors. For example, if you’re taking the powder to treat poisoning, you will need to take anywhere from 50 to 100 grams of the powder mixed in with water. The dosage would vary based on your age and severity of poisoning. We generally recommend taking 25 to 100 grams of activated charcoal powder to get the most out of the powder. 

Note: It is always smart to start small and work your way up to larger doses over time.

Is activated charcoal powder abrasive to my skin and teeth?

Activated charcoal powder, when applied to your skin or teeth, adsorbs all the toxins away leaving you clear and glowing skin and whiter teeth. However, the powder itself cannot distinguish between good and bad particles on your skin and teeth, which means it may also take away some essential particles leaving your skin feeling dry and your teeth brittle.

To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, choose a high-quality activated charcoal powder. For example, our Hardwood Activated Charcoal Powder is sourced from the best quality food grade charcoal from USA suppliers. It is then finely milled into a non-grainy powder so that it can be easily mixed in water and is not too rough for skin masks, creams or poultices.