Charcoal is “activated” when it’s heated to very high temperatures.
This changes its structure.
Heating gives the fine carbon powder a larger surface area, making it more porous.
This lets the charcoal collect toxins, chemicals, and other unwanted materials.
The first documented use of activated charcoal goes as far back as 3750 BC when the Egyptians first used it for smelting ores to create bronze.
Around 1500 BC, Egyptian papyri recorded the use of charcoal to eliminate bad smells from wounds, the first mention of a medical application of charcoal.
By 400 BC, the Phoenicians were storing water in charred barrels on trading ships to improve its taste.
It seems they had hit upon one of the charcoal’s most important properties, the ability to bind substances to its surface, a phenomenon known as “adsorption.”
That application lay more or less dormant until the late 18th century when Europeans developed a taste for sugar.
Raw sugar from sugar cane or sugar beets is tainted by colored impurities that can be removed by passing sugar extract through beds of charcoal.
The rapid growth of the sugar refining industry led to a search for charcoal with improved adsorption properties and resulted in the development of “activated” charcoal, also referred to as “activated carbon.”
In this process, carbonaceous matter such as wood, coal, or nutshells is first heated without air, followed by exposure to carbon dioxide, oxygen, or steam.
This increases the surface area and establishes a network of submicroscopic pores where adsorption takes place.
Later, it was determined that impregnation with chemicals like zinc chloride or phosphoric acid before heating improved the adsorption properties.
Today, a variety of activated carbon products are available for use in various applications. Due to its amazing adsorptive properties, activated carbon is a staple in emergency rooms.
In cases of suspected drug overdose or poisoning, it is administered orally to bind the toxins before they have a chance to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
During the early 1800s AD, scientists demonstrated the efficacy of charcoal in preventing poisoning in humans and animals.
Among the earliest documented instances is one of a French scientist called Bertrand in 1813 AD, wherein he self-administered arsenic trioxide (a potent toxin) along with the charcoal powder and survived.
In 1831 AD, Tovery swallowed a lethal dose of strychnine mixed with charcoal and suffered no adverse effects of strychnine overdose.
Similarly, in 1834 AD, another physician, Hort, saved the life of a patient who had taken mercury bichloride by oral administration of charcoal.
The medicinal properties of activated charcoal have been known for a very long time.
Both Hippocrates (400 BC) and Pliny the Elder (AD 50) wrote about its use in treating various ailments, including vertigo, anthrax, and absorbing the odors from rotting wounds.
In hospitals today, it is used to treat overdose and poisoning, as it can absorb certain toxins in the gut before they enter the bloodstream.
Vets also prescribe it to dogs that have eaten substances that are toxic to them, like chocolate.
While the medicinal benefits of activated charcoal are recognized on a greater scale, the claim that the use of activated charcoal on a regular basis will detoxify and cleanse the body, boost one’s energy, and brighten the skin may be chalked up to pseudoscience.
However, this hasn’t stopped the “black food” trend that has common in the world.
It gives food an earthy, smoky taste, and the black coloring gives the food an exotic, fashionable appearance.
Activated charcoal is a popular home remedy for several other ailments — and it’s sometimes used for other household and cosmetic purposes.
Gas reduction: One recent study reports that taking activated charcoal 8 hours before an abdominal ultrasound significantly reduces the amount of gas in your gut, making it easier to get a clear ultrasound image.
Diarrhea aid: One case study indicates that activated charcoal may help treat diarrhea.
Water filtration: Activated charcoal may help filter water by removing contaminants, suspended solids, and microorganisms like bacteria.
Tooth whitening: This substance is anecdotally said to whiten teeth when used as a mouth rinse or in toothpaste.
It’s said to do so by absorbing plaque and other teeth-staining compounds.
Hangover prevention: Activated charcoal is sometimes touted as a hangover cure.
Skin treatment: Applying this substance to your skin is said to treat acne, dandruffs, and insect or snake bites.
The writer, a graduate from Spicer Memorial India and a holder of Masters of Arts Education from Andrews University, Michigan, USA is a mentor, trainer, motivation speaker, and also a counselor rolling out his programmes in Universities, Colleges, Secondary and Primary schools in Kenya. He is also a human rights activist based in Kisii. His contact: scholarprotas2000@yahoo.com
