No matter who you are or what your goals are, you need to detoxify. Did you know the secret to an effective “whole body detox” might just be carbon? Actually, activated carbon (aka activated charcoal) is the more accurate term.
The History of Activated Charcoal
The first recorded use of charcoal for medicinal purposes was found in Egyptian papyri around 1500 BC as a method of staving off infection from open wounds. Since then, healers have used activated charcoal to soak up poisons and improve intestinal health through a process called “adsorption.” No, that’s not a misspelling. It’s important to understand the difference between absorption and adsorption. When something is absorptive, that means it soaks up other substances, but when something is adsorptive, that means it binds to substances. Activated charcoal actually uses a thin film on its outside surface to bind toxins and poisons.
Activated Charcoal Uses
Ancient physicians used regular charcoal for a variety of medical purposes, including treating epilepsy and anthrax. In the early 20thcentury, the development of activated charcoal sparked many medical journals to publish research revealing its effectiveness as an antidote for poisons. Today, beyond use in hospitals as an antidote for drugs and poisons, activated charcoal is a global remedy for general detoxification and intestinal disorders.
How to Make Activated Charcoal Powder
You make activated charcoal by burning a source of carbon (wood or debris or coconut shells). The high temperature removes all the oxygen and activates it with gases like steam. Basically the process that creates activated charcoal (steam heating and oxidation) ends up creating an adsorbent internal lattice of very fine pores that capture, bind, and remove poisons, heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, toxins, and intestinal gases which have thousands of times more weight than the charcoal itself.
It’s hard to believe, but just two grams of activated charcoal powder has about the same surface area as an entire NFL football field! The porous surface has a negative electric charge that attracts positively charged toxins and poisons; it binds them, and escorts them out of your body through the elimination process of your intestines.
Detoxifying Your Body With Activated Charcoal
Toxins from low quality, GMO, processed food, and environmental pollution are real problems. It is important to help your body eliminate them to promote a healthy digestive system and brain. Chronic exposure to toxins produces cellular damage, allergic reactions, compromised immunity, and more rapid aging.
Regular use of activated charcoal can remove unwanted toxins from your body, leaving you feeling renewed and more vibrant − often in minutes! Activated charcoal helps unwanted bacteria move through your system faster before they spread and multiply, helping you feel better faster. In addition, activated charcoal flushes out all the toxic heavy metals (such as arsenic, copper, mercury, and lead) that are stored in your body, sometimes for decades.
The best long-term study on the detoxification benefits of activated charcoal was conducted by Professors David O. Cooney (University of Wyoming) and Thomas T. Struhsaker (Duke University). The two professors learned that the monkeys on the African island of Zanzibar eat charcoal from burned tree stumps in order to detoxify.
I understand if the idea of swallowing a spoonful of what is essentially ash may not tickle your fancy. However, activated charcoal is completely odorless, tasteless, and safe to consume and can be purchased in handy capsules or tablets. And it’s a powerful detoxifying agent to boot!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2015.
Toxic overload is one of the leading causes of cancer. The Truth About Detox can help activate your body’s natural cancer-fighting system.
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Article Summary
The secret to an effective “whole body detox” might just be activated carbon (aka activated charcoal).
Ancient physicians used regular charcoal for a variety of medical purposes, including treating epilepsy and anthrax. Today, beyond use in hospitals as an antidote for drugs and poisons, activated charcoal is a global remedy for general detoxification and intestinal disorders.
The porous surface of activated charcoal has a negative electric charge that attracts positively charged toxins and poisons. It binds them, and escorts them out of your body through the elimination process of your intestines.
Activated charcoal is completely odorless, tasteless, and safe to consume and can be purchased in handy capsules or tablets.
Great info! How much is recommended per day and for how long?
Yes how much a day for detoxing and or on a regular basis?
Yes, please provide recommendation for dosage. Also, how often would it be done?
is this safe for children
Yes. I have given it to my children when I detect food poisoning. If caught early, it absorbs and they don’t vomit
It’s sold over the counter in Russian pharmacies, no need to make it. Love
When is the best time of day to take activated charcoal? First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach or with food? Before bed?
Anytime, as long as you wait 2 hours after taking activated charcoal….to take any medications or vitamins…otherwise they will be carried out with the toxins, and not be effective. Also take at a time that you will be able to consume glasses of water throughout the day or night, after taking activated charcoal…so that the water can help to flush out those toxins.
Hi, I took 2 pills in the morning with one glass of water for a week, after a week I started to get very bad pain in my Intestines, going to the bath room so many times non stops for 3-4 days now, the pain almost gone but still there…. so I think I needed to drink like a 3-4 glass of water with it. Or I don’t know, I liked the detox but it’s hard on my intestines
Great article except they never told us how much to take daily and for how long. I have taken activated charcoal capsules when I feel I have been food poisoned. And it works.
Is it safe during pregnancy
NO – not for pregnant women, evidently. I finally found a brand that states it’s made from coconut shell charcoal (VegLife, Vegan Charcoal, 250 mg, at Natural Grocers). This statement is on the label (of course we know that California is often more strict): “California Only Warning: This product contains a substance known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.” “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to dignose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
My grandmother used to take charcoal to make her flatulence not smell bad lol. She mentioned other uses but as a kid that’s what stuck in my head.
you can take 2 capsules after each meal. We use it instead of antacid tabs, works great. Don’t take close to pharmaceutical meds as will remove them from your body.
Would really like to know how much to take for detoxification. Thanks
I would love to share with each of you the Charcoal product I use to detox. It is completely organic with no chemicals or additives – non-toxic. It helps to balance pH levels in your body, supports a healthy immune system, supports normal growth and repair of your tissues, and helps fight against daily environmental contaminants. I have been using it for 3 years and love it. You can email for more info. Rhondawthomas@att.net. I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach.
Can you use ordinary charcoal- left in bbq?
Absolutely NOT!
I grew up in Slovakia, my father was a Medical doctor and we used Charcoal for any stomach/ digestions problems – running stomach, constipation, heavy stomach, if you eat something not so fresh, for nausea….. It is safe for everybody, even small children. Still using it in my family. Just pop in 4 tablets, you can do it few times a day. It doesn’t cost much and it works, and you don’t need to see a doctor to get it. I just can’t believe that for the past 33 years I leave in SA I never met a person who knew about Charcoal. Is it because doctors don’t make money on it?
I am very sick from toxic mold, now two brain tumors. I use charcoal capsules when I’m exposed to other mycotoxins. I should do more and try to pull starchy, penicillium and aspergillosis molds
We have a toxic mold support group on fb. Literally it’s called toxic mold support group. Check it out. Lots of help and ideas for detox. Hope you are well.
Omg me too. How did you find out about your tumors. I have been dealing with million symptoms and now a breast lump? My doctor looks at me like I’m crazy.
does it remove the good bacteria as well?
Thanks Heather your grandma going through you to help me.I’m going to get charcoal capsules find out from chinese herbal person how often and how much water to drink to be on safe.this should make bad breath go away as well.
The article is really helpful. Keep it up.
To complete a digestive cleanse with activated charcoal, take 10 grams 90 minutes prior to each meal, for two days.
During the cleanse, eat only organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meat, and wild fish. (per Dr. Axe)
Thank you for this!!
I use a teaspoon. Try to get it from an organic source and derived from cocunut
I am taking it for lyme disease and heavy metals poisoning and is great..i take one capsule three times a day!
If using the powder take a heaping teaspoon in the morning two hours before breakfast and the same two hours after dinner before bed. It’s safe enough to do every day if you’d like but the doctor I read up on who takes it does a 12 day detox with it.
Pleas email me info isabelle.hanna@live.ca
I take 2 capsules whenever I eat a not-so-healthy meal or after dining at a restaurant, e.g., non-organic meats, veggies in the dirty-dozen list, store-bought cakes, etc. or when I feel I’ve been exposed quite much to smog. I try to drink 32 oz. of water at the time I take them & then another 32 oz. of water as I go thru the day or night to aid in getting rid of all the toxins. I have a question, though: I’ve read that charcoal flushes everything out, including the healthy foods one has eaten, & that’s why it’s advised to eat or take one’s supplements an hour after taking charcoal. Is this really true? I mean, if it binds only to toxins, then the good stuff shouldn’t be flushed with it, right?
Can you provide a link to the monkey study? Also, do you have any other peer-reviewed, scientific articles supporting the claims you make here?
Hi Pedrosity3,
Please refer to the sources and references tab directly below the article summary for more information.
thanks so much guys all the comments helped me so am about to begin the coconut one really sound as if it is the best wow ! am already feeling good even though i dont have it as yet gone to the store
I have had advanced melanoma and God willing getting well. Im still alive after 6 years doing all things natural asking God to open doors for me. I will be happy to help you with my discoveries of what will kill melanoma. I’ve used myself as an experiment taking leaps of faith. My sister died with melanoma after 18 months of chemo, surgery and radiation once it entered the brain
Hi nicki im interested in yr journey
Hi nicki
What have you done to treat your melanoma?
Thanks
God bless you
What have you used to treat your melanoma?
I believe i have melanoma im trying lots of stuff my self can u help me and tell me ur journeys with the different products
Hi nicki
Please share your discoveries with me. I’ve been on a scary battle for a few months and I would just love to hear everything you have found and learned in your journey. Ive been asking GOD to open doors for me as well. I still have an agenda in life that is extremely important to me. Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!
Hi nicki please share your discoverys with me I’ve been asking GOD to open doors for me as well. Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!
Hello Ty
Will activated charcoal, remove nickel toxins from the body?
Whats the dosage??
1-2 GRAMS which is 2-4 capsules of 500MG capsules. BUT you can safely take 10 of them if you wish.
I just took 2 tablespoons full which is equivalent to about 20gs. Mixed with equal parts psyllium husk and grape juice. Chugged mad water after for a reason. Doing a charcoal and PH cleanse
My husband has myeloma! Anybody else out there? Any alternative treatments????
Hello! So my father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, and the doctor gave him six months to live (why do they always seem to give six months?). Anyway, my dad refused chemo and radiation and decided to change his diet. He is still alive today, and not just living, but THRIVING. It’s been nearly four years since the doctor told him he was dying. He just eats really clean. People aren’t aware that there isn’t just a cure for cancer–there are MANY!! God put living things on this earth for us to heal ourselves, but we have all been indoctrinated to believe that anyone wearing a lab coat knows what’s best for our bodies. I have had health issues myself–fibroid tumors. After a fibroid was causing me to bleed constantly (menstrual) and I lost 3000 ml every month, I was like a walking zombie, with lots of health issues. I changed my diet, and instead of having to undergo yet ANOTHER surgery to remove ANOTHER enormous fibroid, I changed my diet, and now…NO MORE FIBROID. Good thing me and my dad didn’t take the doctors’ advice, right? I don’t know how much I can actually write on this comment, so if you want the details, please email me: springinup@gmail.com.
This is absolutely amazing to hear, Spring!
God bless you and your father!
Please do feel free to share your story with us at support@thetruthaboutcancer.com. 🙂
Wishing you and your family good health always!