Charcoal or rather activated charcoal is a fine black powder that has high absorption. Charcoal can come from wood, peat, coal, or coconut shells that are heated to high temperatures. From this heating process, charcoal has properties in absorbing toxins.
The benefits of charcoal as an antidote have been known for a long time. In addition, there are actually many health benefits of charcoal that you can get. Check out the explanation in this article.
Health Benefits of Charcoal
The following are various benefits of charcoal which are good for general body health:
1. Overcoming poisoning and drug overdose
Charcoal has been used as an antidote for a long time. Now, not only as an antidote, charcoal is also used for the first treatment of drug overdoses. Charcoal is able to bind various types of drugs and poisons so that it prevents these toxins from being absorbed by the body.
2. Overcoming diarrhea
A study states that charcoal can also help treat diarrhea. Charcoal is able to bind toxins from diarrhea-causing bacteria in the intestines and prevent these toxins from being absorbed by the body, so that the symptoms of diarrhea can subside.
However, more research is still needed to ascertain the benefits of this charcoal.
3. Overcoming flatulence
Charcoal is also often used as an alternative treatment to treat flatulence and stomach cramps. Charcoal is able to bind substances that have the potential to produce excess gas in the digestive system. Generally, these substances come from food and drink consumed.
4. Lowering cholesterol levels
Although it is still being researched, charcoal is believed to have properties to reduce total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the body by binding to cholesterol in the intestine. With this ability, less cholesterol is absorbed from food, so that blood cholesterol levels are better maintained.
5. Maintain kidney function
Charcoal is also said to help maintain and improve kidney function, especially in people suffering from chronic kidney failure. Charcoal works by helping the kidneys filter toxins in the blood, so that the kidneys work lighter.
6. Accelerate wound healing
Charcoal is also believed to accelerate wound healing, especially wounds such as diabetic ulcers which are difficult to heal. Charcoal powder placed over an open wound and covered in gauze can help clear pus and toxins, helping the wound heal faster.
7. Become a face mask
In the world of beauty, charcoal is also used as an ingredient for facial masks. Charcoal is believed to be able to absorb bacteria and dirt from the skin. That way, your skin will be healthier, cleaner, and free from acne.
After knowing the benefits of charcoal, you can start using this powder in your daily life. There are already charcoal products that are packaged in the form of tablets, pills, or directly in the form of face masks.
However, the use of charcoal still cannot be arbitrary. If consumed in excess, charcoal can cause side effects. One of them is a change in the way the body absorbs food and medicines.
So, before you take charcoal supplements or drugs to treat certain health conditions, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor first.
