By Fredrica Syren:
Active charcoal might not sound very appetizing. These days, though, it seems to be featured a lot in beauty magazines and DIY websites as a must have for all its home, beauty and health benefits.
Active charcoal is not new. As a matter a fact, this odorless, toxin-free and tasteless material has been used for years for water filtration. A byproduct made by burning carbon-rich materials like wood, peat or coconut shells at very high temperatures, active charcoal is medicinal. The process of its creation makes active charcoal able to bind to any substance. Medical professionals use it for drug absorption to prevent drugs from entering the blood stream.
There are many uses for active charcoal:
-Removes odor—Traditionally, we use baking soda to remove odor, but active charcoal works even better.
-Whitens teeth—Considering its color, active charcoal might seem like a strange choice for dental hygiene; but not only does it help remove bacteria and other harmful substances from the mouth, but it’s also been proven to help whiten teeth.
-Skin care—Active charcoal can help detoxify the skin, so it’s great for acne prone skin. Make a facial mask by mixing the powder with a little water, then apply directly to the skin. It will leave your skin super soft.
-Digestion—If you have problems with gas or bloating, active charcoal can help. It should be in your medicine cabinet in case of food poisoning.
-Bug bites—If you get a mosquito bite or a bee sting, apply a paste made with coconut oil and active charcoal powder. Reapply every 30 minutes until better.
Now, a bit of caution: active charcoal stains fabrics, so use with care to avoid stains. Furthermore, active charcoal may interfere with prescription medications, so make sure to talk to your doctor before taking it.
