What is all the hype about activated charcoal?

Can you imagine for one second, if there was some sort of amazing natural beauty ingredient from the Earth that could give you bright shiny teeth, flawless skin and lustrous strong hair? Activated charcoal was the ancient go to medicine for the Egyptians, Greeks and Native Americans back since the 1550’s. Now we are rediscovering yet another amazing wonder ingredient that literally absorbs all the toxins, pollutants, grime and impurities out of our bodies like a sponge. What exactly is activated charcoal? “Activated charcoal consists of some substance, which is usually bamboo, wood, coal or coconut shell-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 can bind powerfully to any substance. One hundred percent activated charcoal is odorless, tasteless and non-toxic.” Wellnessmama.com The benefits of activated charcoal use:

1. Poison and toxin remedy (Most effective with GI tract and stomach decontaminant and can help remove up to 50-60% of toxins)
2. Oral care (Helps whiten teeth naturally, removes tannins & helps get rid of bacteria)
3. Beauty ingredient (As a face mask or cleanser as it draws all the impurities out)
4. Hair care (It removes build-up and impurities)
5. Purify water (Helps remove contaminants from water)
6. Relieves bug bites (Helps relieve itching and draws out poison and or venom)

Is Activated Charcoal Safe? “Activated charcoal is not known to be toxic, but 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 I would always check with your doctor.” Wellnessmama.com Just a reminder, that activated charcoal is NOT the same thing as the ashes from burning wood, so please don’t in any case use those types of ashes for these or any other uses! I also don’t recommend activated charcoal-infused food or drinks of any kind. Charcoal can bind to the nutrients in food or drinks, making them less nourishing.” There are many activated charcoals on the market but I recommend using coconut activated charcoal (can buy on Amazon), as it is premium food grade, steam activated and the perfect grain size. It's more porous, which absorbs more toxins, easier. erlet, R. W., & Albertson, T. E. (1986). Activated Charcoal—Past, Present and Future. Western Journal of Medicine, 145(4), 493–496. Guss, D. A. (1989). Emergency Medicine: Activated Charcoal—The First-Line Agent in Cases of Overdose. Western Journal of Medicine, 151(1), 63.