Some Medicinal Uses of Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a material used for various purposes in medical treatment.

Elimination of toxins: Thanks to its porous structure, activated charcoal binds toxins and prevents them from being absorbed by the body. This is why it is often used in hospital emergency rooms. Doctors often use activated charcoal as an antidote in cases of food or drug poisoning. Activated charcoal cleanses the impurities in the body and ensures their effective elimination.

Kidney diseases: For people with end-stage renal disease, activated charcoal may be an alternative to dialysis. Activated charcoal mimics the function of the kidneys by binding urea and other toxins, reducing the amount of waste products excreted through the kidneys.

Deodorant: Activated charcoal can help to reduce body odour. Especially for people who suffer from the so-called fishy odour syndrome, activated charcoal can bind the foul-smelling compounds produced by the body and thus reduce unpleasant odours. It is therefore also an ideal option as an underarm, shoe and fridge deodorant.

Flatulence and indigestion: Activated charcoal helps to neutralise fluids and gases trapped in the intestines and relieves pain caused by bloating. It can also be used for various purposes such as teeth whitening as it has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and detoxifying properties.

Skin infections and acne: Activated charcoal helps to remove harmful microbes from wounds thanks to its antibacterial properties. It can also prevent bad odour caused by infections and support the healing of ulcers or bedsores.

Lowering cholesterol levels: Some studies show that activated charcoal can inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the body. In particular, it can help to lower LDL cholesterol or "bad" cholesterol.

Relief from alcohol delirium: Feeling Bad can help alleviate hangover symptoms. However, there is no conclusive evidence that activated charcoal can completely prevent the absorption of alcohol. However, some research shows that taking activated charcoal with alcohol can slightly lower blood alcohol levels. It is not fully understood how effective activated charcoal is in reducing alcohol-related mood swings. However, the absorbent properties of activated charcoal and its ability to bind toxins intercepts some of the alcohol that passes through the digestive tract and can slow down its absorption. This can relieve alcohol-induced stomach upset and nausea in some people. However, these effects can vary from person to person and may not be equally effective for everyone.

Diarrhoea and constipation: Activated charcoal can help to combat digestive problems. In cases of diarrhoea, activated charcoal can help to firm the stools by absorbing harmful substances from the intestines. For constipation, activated charcoal can regulate bowel movements and ease the passage of stools by absorbing gas and toxins trapped in the intestines.

Teeth whitening: Activated charcoal can help to remove stains and discolouration on the teeth. It cleans the surface of the teeth of dirt, stains and plaque by adsorbing it. However, as excessive use of activated charcoal can damage tooth enamel, it is important to consult a dentist before using it for teeth whitening.

Oral hygiene: Activated charcoal can support oral hygiene and help against bad breath. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it adsorbs harmful bacteria in the mouth and substances that cause bad breath. You can benefit from these advantages by putting a small amount of activated charcoal on your toothbrush or using toothpastes containing activated charcoal.

Cure poisoning: Activated charcoal is a method used in the treatment of some poisonings. Activated charcoal can be taken quickly, especially if drugs or chemicals are swallowed, and can prevent the absorption of these substances in the intestine and ensure their elimination from the body. However, any case of poisoning may require appropriate treatment and medical attention, which is why it is important to consult a doctor in the event of poisoning.