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Activated charcoal has been part of my natural medicine cabinet for years, but now it is showing up in beauty magazines and DIY websites for its many other uses!
Activated charcoal is one of those rare areas where ancient traditional medicine and today’s medical literature agree. Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine used this sooty, jet-black powder for thousands of years. (Its first recorded use dates back to 1550 BC.) It is also well established in medical literature as a powerful antidote that adsorbs most organic toxins, chemicals, and poisons before they can harm the body.
Interest in activated charcoal grew in 1831 when a French Academy of Medicine professor famously drank a lethal dose of strychnine and did not suffer any ill effects … all because he combined it with activated charcoal.
Oddly enough, I also brush my teeth with it … so there are other reasons to have activated charcoal around!
What Is Activated Charcoal?
It is important to know right from the get-go that activated charcoal is not the same thing as charcoal for your grill or charred wood from the fire. Please don’t try to substitute or make your own!
Activated charcoal consists of some substance—usually bamboo, wood, coal, or my preference, coconut shell charcoal—burned without oxygen to create char. The char is then heated to a high temperature and exposed to certain gases through a multi-step process to make it extremely porous. This is the “activation” part of the process.
Once activated, the increased surface area of the molecules can bind powerfully to any substance. This process of adsorption (not to be confused with absorption) is what makes charcoal so powerful. True activated charcoal is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic.
Benefits of Activated Charcoal Use
There are 3 main benefits to having activated charcoal in a healthy mama’s bag of tricks:
1. Poison and Toxin Remedy
Studies show that activated charcoal may be the most effective GI tract decontaminant available. It can adsorb up to 50-60% of unwanted substances in the stomach and intestines when taken quickly after ingestion. It can even have a positive effect as long as two hours after ingestion!
In fact, emergency rooms routinely administer large doses of activated charcoal for certain types of poisoning. Unlike ipecac syrup or stomach pumping, activated charcoal binds with and removes much of the offending substance even after it enters the bloodstream.
Of course, anyone who experiences poisoning or exposure to toxic substances should absolutely contact a poison control center or hospital immediately and follow any instructions they have. I know of cases where a poison center instructed someone to administer charcoal at home and then follow up in the ER.
Proof of activated charcoal’s power to purify? It’s routinely used in water and air filters for just that function!
2. Oral Care
The same properties that make charcoal beneficial for removing harmful substances in the digestive system also make it beneficial for oral health as well. It doesn’t neutralize toxins, but rather binds them to the many tiny pores on its surface.
When used in toothpastes, powders, and oral health rinses, it can bind to bacteria and other harmful substances and remove them from the mouth. Many people like using it in this way because it also binds to substances that stain the teeth and can whiten the teeth in only a few uses.
3. Beauty Ingredient
Activated charcoal is showing up in many beauty products lately too. This is because it is effective at removing bacteria, chemicals, dirt, and build-up on the skin. Check out all the beauty uses below or try mixing it into a face wash or scrub. (Don’t worry … it washes off!)
Activated Charcoal Uses for Home & Beauty
I keep activated charcoal on hand in case any of the kids ever accidentally ingest any household toxins or chemicals, though we also do our best to keep anything toxic out of the house completely. Thankfully, we haven’t yet had to use it for that purpose!
I find myself turning to charcoal almost daily for other uses though:
1. To Whiten Teeth Naturally
This is the first beauty use for charcoal that I tried, and it worked wonderfully!
Read all about my charcoal teeth whitening experiment here but the method is simple. Just dip a wet toothbrush in a high quality charcoal and brush gently. Alternately, you can swish with charcoal water by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of charcoal into a small amount of water.
Charcoal is mildly abrasive so be gentle and don’t do this more than once or twice a week!
2. In Toothpaste
Similarly, charcoal can be used in toothpastes and tooth powders to get the same effect. I wouldn’t use these daily, since they are abrasive, but adding a little charcoal to a homemade toothpaste or DIY tooth powder a couple times a week can whiten and freshen the teeth.
My pre-made Wellnesse charcoal toothpaste has clean ingredients and works really well!
3. As a Face Mask or Cleanser
I love using charcoal on my skin. Fair warning, it looks a little bizarre to paint this stuff all over your face, but it does wash off and leaves skin super soft!
For a mask: Easily make your own mask with this simple recipe or buy a high quality pre-made natural mask like this one.
As a cleanser: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder into a face wash and scrub skin gently. Rinse well and pat dry.
4. In Shampoo
Charcoal has been showing up in shampoos for the same reason people love it in facial products. It removes build up and impurities. The easiest way to try this is to add a tiny amount (1/2 teaspoon) to shampoo before washing hair. Scrub gently and wash out.
I’ve yet to find a pre-made shampoo with good ingredients so just add to a natural shampoo that you like! I’ve added charcoal to this natural shampoo with good results.
5. Clean the Air
Charcoal’s porous structure makes it great at removing odors, harmful chemicals and allergens from the air. This is why you’ll often find charcoal in air purifying products. These charcoal bags are the easiest way to use charcoal to clean the air in a home. They last for years and can be recharged by putting them in the sun once a month or so.
6. Purify Water
Activated charcoal also helps remove contaminants from water. It is used in the Berkey system that our family used for years and even in most water pitcher systems. The 14-stage filter we have now also uses charcoal to filter water.
7. Relieve Bug Bites
I use charcoal in my drawing salve for its ability to draw out irritants. This recipe is also great for applying to bug bites to relieve itching and pain! But charcoal alone can also help draw out venom.
In one scary episode, I used charcoal to treat a spider bite on my son’s leg after we had confirmation that it was likely a brown recluse bite. Our doctor confirmed that the conventional approach is “wait and see.” I wasn’t comfortable with this, especially since my son was uncomfortable. A mix of charcoal and baking soda helped draw the toxin out, and he healed with no long-term scarring.
8. Help an Upset Stomach
I give my kids these charcoal gummies whenever they complain of a bad upset stomach. The chewy texture and natural fruit flavor helps the medicine go down, and activated charcoal goes to work absorbing and neutralizing the substances causing the trouble.
Is Activated Charcoal Safe?
Activated charcoal is not known to be toxic, though it should not be taken within two hours of vitamins or medications because it will keep the body from adsorbing them. I personally would not take charcoal on a regular basis and would only use as needed.
As with any substance, you should always check with a doctor or medical professional before internal use, especially in an emergency or life-threatening situation or if there is any other underlying health problem.
Remember, activated charcoal is NOT the same thing as the ashes from burning wood or other fires at home, so please don’t try to use those type of ashes for these or any other uses!
I also don’t recommend activated charcoal-infused food or drinks. Charcoal can bind to the nutrients in food or drinks, making these less nourishing rather than enhancing them. The one exception? Charcoal cocktails are getting more popular, and since alcohol is a toxin anyway, these may be worth trying. In fact some experts recommend charcoal as a hangover remedy.
Where to Get Activated Charcoal
I keep this brand of activated charcoal on hand because it is made from coconut shells and is the most pure source I’ve personally found. I store it in a glass jar and usually keep it on the bathroom sink since we typically just use it for teeth.
Fair warning: Activated charcoal is EXTREMELY messy if spilled. It will easily wash out of a sink or bathroom counter but isn’t so easy to get out of rough surfaces like tile grout (don’t ask how I know). I recommend keeping this out of the reach of children or messy pets for that reason!
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Ever used activated charcoal? What did you use it for? Share below!
One of my friend advised me to use activated charcoal to cleanse my colon.. is it really safe to be taken orally? I really need your advises… I already have an activated charcoal at home but dont know what to do on them.. Thanks!!!
I use a daytime/nighttime colon cleanses for myself. I also use Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Olive Leaf Extract, Oregano Oil, and Blue-Green Algae from the Klamath Lake as part of a regular regimen to help keep my digestive tract clean, amongst other things too. I also include plenty of reverse osmosis water as well.
We are using activated charcoal for a stomach bug that has hit my family of 6. How many days should you take it for ones who had the bug and how many days for those who are taking it to prevent the bug?
Thanks so much.
Did the AC work for your stomach bug? I’m in the middle of a bug, digging for info. Did you take it every 2 hours? I started getting a headache after I took it.
My husband needs to take charcoal caps daily for high ammonia levels. What brand of capsules would you recommend? I would never be able to get him to take anything else…he takes so many supplements and to add a powdered version would be too much. I am trying to look for less expensive though good quality as our naturopaths prices are high
Has your husband ever taken lactulose? I’m not sure if it is available over the counter, And it has laxative effects so it may not be ideal for his situation, but lactulose is very effective at lower ammonia levels.
I recently read an article that probiotics can be as effective as lactulose without the side effect of diarrhea for ammonia levels.
Please i have missed my period for about seven month now,i meet with a doctor and he say is a toilet infection, i have been treating it but nothing seems to work, can i use activated charcoal?
Yes you can use the charcoal I use the powder and have been using it for a while and I get my charcoal from DHealthfoodstore.com and you get about a ounce in a glass jar and it cost 3.95 a jar and I can’t live without. I just drink lots of water to keep bowels moving.
Yes, it’s so important that you keep hydrated by drinking more even as you use a.c.
I got some in capsule form from the natural grocer and use it when I eat something that doesn’t agree with me (I’m with you Katie, just eat at home and not have to worry about it). I am currently out of good quality acv, but I followed it with aloe juice to keep things moving. Perfect combination, I feel much better.
I use it to ease the pain of diverticulitis. I take psyllium husks and probiotics to keep it under control while eating anything I want to. If I have a “flare up” I take activated charcoal and it takes away the pain.
Make sure you are taking probiotics. What kind is a whole other subject.
I buy capsules or power that does not contain fillers like stearic acid or some diritive thereof.
Natural is best but yogurt is not best. Kifir is good. Without flavoring or sugar because sugar apparently quails the effects of the probiotics. I used to have stomach problems all my life but I discovered probiotics and my life is much better. I take them every day. The amount is debatable. Some people can only tolerat small amounts. I take about 20 billion a day and that is just right for me but if you get loose stools then it may be too much, at least to begin with. I might start at 5 to 15 billion and see how you do. I believe it actually helps your intestines be healthier and be able to heal.
I have heard that Activated charcoal can shrink tumors and cure some cancers like breast cancer. Is this true? Is it because it removes toxins that cause the cancers? Do you have any knowledge of success stories where women have been cured of cancer because of daily dosages of activated charcoal? I feel much better when I take it but I wonder if its real or psychosomatic a bit? Please weigh in here.
No. Cancer is not caused by toxins, it is caused by malformed DNA in cells. Sometimes these cells cause the organ they belong to to go into overdrive, other times they do nothing and cause a lack of function in that organ. DNA in cells can be malformed by the environment (such as radiation), but “toxins” have nothing to do with it. “Toxin” is a word used in naturalistic fallacy to point the finger at “bad” substances; it’s sort of an umbrella term that really doesn’t have a meaning.
Free radicals are chemical compounds that can alter the cell’s DNA, which causes cancer. Free radicals are the chemical composites of various toxic substances, such as cigarette smoke, pollution, etc. I don’t believe there is enough research to back up the claim that activated charcoal cures/prevents cancer, but I do believe that it may certainly help rid some areas of the body of free radicals! Every article I have read does not recommend frequent use of it. This may be because of the harmful effects on the GI system, and it may also be due to the fact that there is simply not enough research done to evaluate the long term effects of regular use.
Like KelseyB said…cancer is malformed DNA cells. But if you do the research….a lot of cancer thrives in an acidic environment. Cancer doesn’t thrive in an alkaline environment. So in the body…what causes an acidic environment? Sugar, meats, dairy, processed foods, stress, lack of sleep. Basically an unhealthy lifestyle. What causes an alkaline environment?….veggies, fruit, beans, sprouts, legumes….. basically healthy foods. Your body needs a healthy balance of acid/alkaline….you can research the different foods that are alkaline/acid causing. With all the junk that’s out there….it’s no wonder cancer and all sorts of health issues are rampant. Most of our health issues are diet related. So instead of drugs: let food be thy medicine. There are plenty of cures to cancer but people are looking for it in the form of a pill or medical treatment.The cure is healthy living….it’s not easy… it’s hard work. And that’s why most of us suffer
So true! It’s how we eat and what we eat that protects us. It is hard work. Doing the drive-up window for all your meals just doesn’t cut it.
how does one mix the charcoal. what does one use and how much? thank you phil
I normally use a half of tablespoon in 8oz of water or I take it by itself and chase it with 8oz of water. I really like to take it by itself and chase it with water. I also take mines daily and have not had any bad side effects or problems just make sure you drink plenty of water to keep bowels moving that’s all.
Thank you!! I’m going to try a charcoal poultice on my eyes. A few months ago, I became pregnant, got several styes and chalazions, then miscarried. It is horrible- not sure why my immune system seemed to let such yuckiness happen, only to my eyes. I didn’t get ill in any other ways. Anyway, it has been two months, and my eyes are still awful. I just got a new stye yesterday, and I wake up to crusty eye. I will let you know how the charcoal works.
Is it gone yet? It could be so many other things as well. Like washing your hands, washing your pillowcases, possibly buying a new pillow, etc
Hannah…did the activated charcoal work? *fingers crossed*
have you tried colloidal silver in your eyes?
cures pink eye overnight
perhaps it will help what you have
I never heard of using CS for pink eye. What’s the dosage on that?
I use CS for pink eye as well- I just use a drop or two in the infected eye.
hi just to say i went through twenties to mid thirties with styes under my eyelids.some were huge. ..some were removed. ..it was often painful. ..then one day the eye doctor told me to take omega 3 6 and 9,.. i did and ive never had them since. If i ever run out of them after a couple of weeks i see my eyes start to get dry/scratchy and less healthy. ..micrbumps appear just inside eye where eyelashes start. Two weeks back on omegas – problems all gone. i was a vegetarian moray of that time and im not now and i find i need less omegas. However i never eat fish.
make sure you are getting enough of every single vitamin. x
Thanks for sharing the miracles of this wonderful remedy! I have used charcoal for years. Our cat was bitten by a rattlesnake and charcoal was the cure!
Did you use it internally for the cat or just on the bite marks?