Hello steemit!!! Thanks for checking on my blog once again, I believe that you enjoyed my last post, hmmm! That is just a tip of an iceberg. Today I will be discussing about a commodity, an indispensable substance called charcoal which is readily available within our environment but most people have not been using it because of lack of knowledge about its uses. Seat back and let us enjoy the trip together. .
Charcoal is a chemical substance that has a very high percentage of carbon (C) capable of removing dirt and reacting with water (H2O) and air (O2). Despite us seeing this free gift of nature every day, little do we know about its benefits and its usefulness. Follow me as I unfold some of the benefits of this substance called charcoal.
There are two types of charcoal namely: natural and activated charcoal, but I’m going to dwell more on activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal can only be produced when its raw materials are burnt without the presence of air.Activated charcoals are said to be potent natural treatment used to trap chemicals and toxins in the body, enabling them to be flushed out so that the body doesn’t re-extract them. Activated charcoal sources are numerous, but whenever its usage is required, it is advisable to choose activated charcoal made from coconut shells or other natural sources.
It has been established from researches that activated charcoal performs better than stomach pumping (gastric lavage) in some cases. The most common activated charcoal uses is for the safe and effective treatment of drug abuse and poison. It’s used in emergency trauma centers across the world. In addition, it’s used to reduce bloating and gas, lower cholesterol, treat bile flow problems safety during pregnancy, and even prevent hangover.
So, how does activated charcoal work?
It works by trapping chemicals and toxin in its billions of tiny pores. Typically, however, it is not used when petroleum, alcohol, lye, acids or other corrosive poisons are ingested. It doesn’t absorb the toxins, instead it works through the chemical process of adsorption. Adsorption is the reaction of chemicals, elements, toxins, and nutrients, soaked up and assimilated into the blood stream whereas,the chemical process or reaction where elements bind to a surface is called absorption
Various uses of activated charcoal include;
Teeth Whitening
Have your teeth become stained from wine, berries, coffee or tea? Activated charcoal is the right answer to help whiten your teeth while promoting good oral health by altering the pH balance in the mouth, helping prevent bad breath, cavities, and various gum diseases.
Activated charcoal is capable of whitening teeth by adsorbing microscopic plaque and tidbits that stain teeth. It is readily available and affordable and an all-natural solution for a bright smile. To have your teeth naturally whitened; dip an already wet toothbrush into powdered activated charcoal. Brush teeth as normal, special attention should be pay to areas showing the most stains. Sip a bit of water, swish through mouth thoroughly and spit. Rinse well, until spit is clear.
Alleviates Gas and Bloating
One of the unnoticeable benefits of activated charcoal is its ability to remove uncomfortable bloating and gas. It works by binding the gas-causing by-products in foods that cause discomfort.
According to the American journal of Gastroenterology, it was found that activated charcoal prevents intestinal gas. If you have bloating stomach, you can try and make use of activated charcoal solution (addition of water and activated charcoal).
Water Filtration
It has been noticeable that activated charcoal has the ability to remove impurities in water (H2O) including solvents, chemicals, industrial waste and pesticides. This is the main reason why activated charcoal is widely used for water filtration globally. However, it doesn’t remove hard water minerals, viruses, and bacteria.
According to a study published by Canadian Dental Association, activated carbon filters (activated charcoal), is capable of trapping some fluoride. Avoidance of excessive fluoride is important for oral health, kidneys, liver and proper immune system.
Drinking water is important to good health; however, typically untreated tap water is toxic and full of chemicals, fluoride and toxins, its consumption should be limited if possible. Activated charcoal water filters is advisable to be used for home water consumption in order to soothe the digestive tract, provide lubrication for tissues and joints, keep organs functioning properly and fighting fatigue.
Prevention of Hangovers and treating of alcohol poison
Though activated charcoal doesn’t adsorb alcohol but it helps to remove other toxic substance in alcohol from the body that can contribute to poisoning. Alcohol is not commonly consumed in its pure form but rather mixed with artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Activated charcoal is capable of removing these toxic substances.
Furthermore, when alcohol and activated charcoal were taken simultaneously, studies have shown that it significantly causes reduction of blood alcohol concentrations. Activated charcoal can be administered in some cases that are related to alcohol according to ‘Princeton University’s First Aider’s Guide to Alcohol’.
Reduction of High Cholesterol
Global studies have shown that activated charcoal is capable of reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol as well as some prescribed medications. A decrease of 25% in total cholesterol, 41% decrease of low density lipoprotein(LDL), and 8% increase in high density Lipoprotein(HDL) was observed in just 4weeks when activated charcoal was used as reported in a study.
Body Health and Skin
The uses of activated charcoal are not just limited to internal applications but also find its uses externally. For external treatments, it is reliable and effective at combating body odor, relieve of discomfort from insect bites, and also suitable for treating snake bites and poison ivy
Prevention of aging
Activated charcoal helps to prevent damaging of cells, kidneys, and livers, as well as supporting healthy adrenal glands. Daily routine should be carried out on our body to remove or cleanse toxins and chemicals. Activated charcoal helps major organs in our body to flush out toxins and chemicals that can cause damages in the body system.
Although ageing is inevitable,however pre-mature ageing can occur due to harmful substances that we are daily exposed to through food, water, our environment, workplaces and our home, so to prevent pre-mature ageing we must get rid of all these factors by using activated charcoal.
Mold cleansing
The presence of mold living in human body is possible if found in our home, food items and other places. Toxic mold causes depression, liver and kidney failure, heart disease, irritation of eye, headaches, severe respiratory distress, vomiting and decreased brain function. This toxic mold can be removed by applying activated charcoal.
In conclusion
The importance of activated charcoal cannot be over-emphasized because of its ability to remove stains, toxic or harmful substances from our body and having known the benefits and importance of activated charcoal to our health, it will be good if you can give it a trial.
I hereby recommend that activated charcoal should be part of our first aid kits, both at home and workplace.
Thanks for reading
Please note: all pictures used in this post are labeled for free usage