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My Experience With Activated Charcoal

I was visiting the doctor I see in alternative medicine because my Crohn’s was flaring miserably one winter a few years back.

I was desperate for something, anything to give me some relief. I mentioned seeing if there were any new safer Crohn’s medications, which is always my last resort.

He mentioned activated charcoal should help, which was completely new to me. (This was before it was so popular!).

I agreed, of course. I ordered it when I got home and and was nervous and excited when it arrived. But, I’ll be honest, I was definitely intimidated. A bag of black powder doesn’t exactly look inviting.

Many supplements out there claim to have healing powers, but this mysterious activated charcoal actually worked and continues to work for me. For times when sleep is sparse thanks to Crohn’s symptoms, a cup of charcoal usually allows me to get a restful sleep.

What Is The Craze About Activated Charcoal All About?

If you didn’t know what activated charcoal was two years ago, chances are, you do now. And that’s good, because it can greatly impact your health. Especially if you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Doesn’t it seem like all the cool kids are using it?! You can buy activated charcoal in powdered form, capsules, as a main ingredient in make up products, soaps, toothpaste, deodorant, and the list is growing every day.

Here are just a few activated charcoal products you can buy on Amazon:

• Twin Lotus Activated Charcoal toothpaste
• Fine Vine Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder (teeth whitener)
• Colgate Slim Soft Charcoal Toothbrush
• BeautyCounter Purifying Charcoal Mask
• BeautyCounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar

To quote a trusted source,

“Activated Charcoal Powder has anti-poison, astringent, and absorbent properties. It has been used as an anti-poison remedy for centuries. It works as an absorbent of toxins in the digestive system.” – Bulk Herb Store

Basically, when you ingest activated charcoal, it binds to toxins, pathogens, etc. and carries them out of your body.

How To Use It

Use activated charcoal when you are going through a Crohn’s/Ulcerative colitis flare up or after eating something that was bothersome to your body. In general, it can be used for food poisoning or for any uncomfortable digestive issues.

My tip to prepare it: warm up a mug of filtered water and stir in a spoonful of activated charcoal until it’s dissolved. (I don’t measure exactly).

When using room temperature or cold water, the powder doesn’t dissolve as easily and it is a little grainy.

An Important Note! Activated charcoal will also bind to vitamins, supplements and medications, so it is important to wait two hours before or after taking any of these to have activated charcoal.

Powder or Capsules?

To use for Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis flares or upset, I suggest getting the powder because then you have the benefit of the activated charcoal coating and soothing your whole gastrointestinal tract. This is true for any other gastrointestinal usage as well.

I have seen capsules (and sometimes the powder) in health food stores, and that is your next best bet if for some reason you cannot order online.

Where To Buy It

I buy mine through the Bulk Herb Store online. Activated charcoal through this company comes in a 1/2 pound bag and will last you a loooong time. Bonus: it’s super affordable!

Have you ever used activated charcoal? What do you use it for?

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and can only share this as a supplement that has worked for me. I encourage you to do research on your own and consult your physician with any individual questions or concerns.