Activated charcoal (activated carbon)

Table of Contents

Other names

Activated Coconut Charcoal
Charcoal Powder
Charcoal Capsules

Synopsis

Activated charcoal is a fine, black, odorless powder made by heating carbon-rich materials—such as wood, coconut shells, peat, or bamboo—to extremely high temperatures in the presence of gases that create a highly porous surface structure. This process, known as "activation," greatly increases the charcoal’s surface area and adsorption capacity, making it capable of binding a wide variety of substances. Unlike absorption, which involves one substance being taken into another, adsorption means particles adhere to the surface, which is key to activated charcoal’s function.

Activated charcoal is widely used in emergency medicine for treating poisonings and drug overdoses, as it can adsorb many toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and prevent their absorption into the bloodstream. It is most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion. Outside of hospital settings, it is commonly used in natural health and detox practices for relieving gas and bloating, supporting digestive health, and promoting toxin elimination.

In supplemental and over-the-counter forms, activated charcoal is available in capsules, tablets, and powders, often marketed for digestive cleansing, hangover relief, or whitening teeth. It is also a popular ingredient in facial masks, toothpaste, and water filtration systems due to its ability to bind impurities and chemicals. Despite its versatility, activated charcoal can also bind beneficial nutrients and medications, so its use must be spaced carefully from meals or prescriptions.

Historical Use:
The use of charcoal for medicinal and purification purposes dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian texts from around 1500 BCE reference its use for preserving wood and healing wounds. Charcoal was applied topically to infected wounds and taken internally to relieve digestive distress or poisoning. In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates and later Pliny the Elder recorded the use of charcoal for intestinal problems, bad breath, and poisoning.

In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, forms of burned plant materials or ash were sometimes used for internal cleansing, detoxification, and oral care, though not in the highly porous activated form we use today. These early practices emphasized the detoxifying and drying nature of carbon-rich materials, aligning with what modern science has confirmed about charcoal’s adsorptive properties.

Modern scientific interest in activated charcoal began in earnest in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly after French chemist Michel Bertrand survived ingesting a lethal dose of arsenic mixed with charcoal in 1813—demonstrating its potential in toxin neutralization. By the 20th century, activated charcoal became a standard in emergency toxicology and later expanded into natural health and personal care markets.

Today, activated charcoal stands as a unique bridge between ancient detoxification practices and modern emergency medicine, valued for its wide range of applications—from life-saving toxin removal to everyday digestive and skincare support.

Uses: Health Conditions

Chemical Poisoning (Traditional)
Dysentery (Traditional)
Environmental Pollution (Traditional)
Hangover (Traditional)
Heavy Metal Poisoning (Traditional)
Parasites (tapeworm) (Traditional)
Poisoning (food) (Traditional)
Poisoning (general) (Traditional)
Radiation Sickness (Traditional)
Slivers (Traditional)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (Traditional)
Snake Bite (Traditional)
Staph Infections (Traditional)
Tick (Traditional)
Toxemia (Traditional)

Body Systems

Digestive System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)