Charcoal is something that most of us are likely familiar with to some extent, although it may not be something most of us associate with consumption. The idea of ingesting charcoal may seem like a rather strange one, but trust me when I say that activated charcoal can be a miracle worker for people dealing with certain health issues.
Charcoal, when activated, “is a fine, odorless, black powder often used in emergency rooms to treat overdoses. Its toxin-absorbing properties have a wide range of medicinal and cosmetic uses, though none are scientifically proven,” explains a web page from www.medicalnewstoday.com.
The web page goes on to explain how “superheating natural sources of carbon, such as wood, produces activated charcoal. The black powder stops toxins from being absorbed in the stomach by binding to them. The body is unable to absorb charcoal, and so the toxins that bind to the charcoal leave the body in the feces.”
As for what activated charcoal can be used to treat?
- “Activated charcoal may be able to assist kidney function by filtering out undigested toxins and drugs.
- “Activated charcoal powder is thought to be able to disrupt intestinal gas, although researchers still do not understand how. Liquids and gases trapped in the intestine can easily pass through the millions of tiny holes in activated charcoal, and this process may neutralize them.
- “People have long used activated charcoal as a natural water filter. Just as it does in the intestines and stomach, activated charcoal can interact with and absorb a range of toxins, drugs, viruses, bacteria, fungus, and chemicals found in water.
- “Given its use as a gastrointestinal absorbent in overdoses and poisonings, it follows that some people might propose activated charcoal as a treatment for diarrhea.
- “Researchers have reported that activated charcoal can help draw microparticles, such as dirt, dust, chemicals, toxins, and bacteria, to the surface of the skin, to make removing them easier.
- “Various activated charcoal deodorants are widely available. Charcoal may absorb smells and harmful gases, making it ideal as an underarm, shoe, and refrigerator deodorant,” the web page says.
Who knew just how versatile this stuff can be?
ontheedgeofeverything 
