Top 10 Uses of Activated Charcoal for Prepping

Today, I’m sharing the top 10 uses of activated charcoal for prepping. When you hear the word charcoal, chances are, it’s not too long before your mouth starts to salivate. That’s because you know how good it makes your favorite grilling foods taste when you use it on the BBQ. I hate to break it to you, but I’m not talking about that kind of charcoal. This is the one I bought: Activated Charcoal.

Believe it or not, activated charcoal is even better for you. For starters, it provides a healthier gut, hair, and skin. Activated charcoal can work for countless purposes, but I’ll stick with the most important ones you need to know about. Here are 10 incredible uses of activated charcoal for prepping that give preppers even more reason to have it along with their other prepping supplies.

Other Posts to Check Out

In case you missed these posts, here are some other related ones to check out:

• Natural Remedies That Work
• Prepare Your Family For Survival” by Linda Loosli
• Activated Charcoal
• How to Take Care of Your Teeth in a World with No Dentist

Please remember that I am not a doctor, nurse, or medical professional. Please check with your medical professional to see if this will be safe for you to use. You must research to ensure it is compatible with any medications and health risks you may have. This is for general information only, my friends.

1. Works in an Emergency to Remove Toxins

If you’ve already known about activated charcoal for a while now, it’s probably for this reason. Activated charcoal is a natural remedy that can quickly remove many toxins from the body before they’re absorbed. This is one of the best uses of activated charcoal for prepping. 

So, if your child accidentally ingests substances like pesticides or swallows some bleach, it MAY be appropriate to use these in emergencies to help counteract the effects. Poison control also acknowledges that activated charcoal can be beneficial and lifesaving during a drug overdose. Please call Poison Control in your area to confirm your concerns and proper applications.  

2. Detox Our Bodies From Mold

Mold is also quite harmful and toxic to our bodies. It can cause several different health issues, such as vomiting, respiratory distress, and even depression. Mold can be found in older buildings or homes with a lousy ventilation system or that have flooded in the past, causing mold to grow in carpets, walls, and elsewhere.  

3. Reduces the Symptoms of a Hangover 

Activated charcoal can also help bring some relief following a hangover and can even be used to prevent one entirely, if you take it ahead of time. That’s because activated charcoal works to remove the alcohol toxins from your bloodstream. This is not an excuse for you to drink however much you want, but for emergency purposes only and to help someone who’s experiencing alcohol poisoning or is unconscious from it.    

4. Purifies Drinking Water 

Drinking water can be purified using several different methods. One of those is using an activated charcoal filter to filter water and remove several toxins, which may absorb some undesired contaminants in your water. Not only will it clean your water, but you’ll also notice an improvement in taste. It is debated if it also removes fluoride. From my recent reading, I would have to say no.

Not all water filtration systems use activated charcoal, but it is a very popular ingredient in the filter materials used. The activated carbon components make the absorption of undesirable materials much more efficient.

5. Relieves Digestion Problems 

Do you ever experience gas or bloating after a meal? These digestion problems can be uncomfortable and irritating if they occur regularly. If this happens frequently, consider using activated charcoal after your meals. 

It will work to attach the food elements causing the digestive problems and help you eliminate them in the bathroom more easily. Some people even suggest that it helps treat diarrhea. Remember that when you take it, drink plenty of water so it is pushed through your system quickly.  

6. Cleanses Your Digestive System 

Not only does activated charcoal help with digestive problems, but it can also cleanse your digestive system. Adding it to a healthier diet and following it up by drinking plenty of water afterward (activated charcoal can cause dehydration) can vastly improve your immune function and eliminate the nasty symptoms.  

7. Teeth Whitener

If you ever have an emergency and toothpaste is unavailable, activated charcoal can also help whiten teeth. The charcoal attaches itself to the molecules that cause the stain and helps brighten your teeth. It’s also an antibacterial and antifungal agent to help keep your mouth healthier. 

Just be aware that it may not work on veneers or crowns. This also doesn’t mean you should switch from how you usually care for your teeth, but it will help if you’re in a pinch.  

8. Deodorant

Say you’re facing a doomsday scenario and you forgot your deodorant. Now that’s one stinky situation you’re dealing with. Charcoal has a way of absorbing smells and distasteful gases. It can also help control body sweat and absorb moisture. This makes it an ideal candidate when up against your underarms or smelly shoes or to help with odors in your refrigerator. It’s also helpful to eliminate odors caused by trimethylamine, or “fish odor syndrome.” 

9. Skin Infections 

Activated charcoal has an antibacterial effect on the skin while removing harmful microbes from wounds. By using it as powdered charcoal, many medical practitioners treat skin infections with its use. They can even be found commercially. 

Outside of skin infections, it’s said to cleanse acne and pores by removing dirt while leaving your face feeling fresh. For a finishing touch, use it to scrub off dead skin. 

10. Treat insect Bites

Insect bites can be highly uncomfortable and cause a lot of irritation on your skin. Applying activated charcoal over the irritated area will soothe the skin and help reduce the discomfort. To create a mixture, you only need 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal and one tablespoon of coconut oil. You can apply it every 30 minutes until the pain and irritation disappear. 

How is Activated Charcoal Administered?

These are the most common approaches to administering activated charcoal:

• Taken Orally: generally given to adults and children who are over the age of 12 by taking a dosage of 12 to 100 grams. The best approach is to mix it with water to form a type of slurry that is taken with water.
• Using a Nasogastric Tube: used by EMT’s and other professionals to run a tube from the nose to the stomach to administer the charcoal in the stomach in an effort to bind to the poisons.
• Using Powdered Charcoal or a Capsule in a Beverage: take it on an empty stomach and at least one hour after you’ve taken other prescribed medications so as not to interfere with those medications.
• In Survival Situations/Emergencies: sometimes used in an overdose situation where you need to administer the activated charcoal under the direction of emergency services before first responder help arrive.

What is Activated Charcoal?

It is made from natural ingredients like coconut shells, hardwood pulp, and coal which are broken down into tiny powder pieces. It has been found in food products, food supplements, toothpaste, and various personal care products.

The charcoal becomes activated by heating it to a very high temperature. The heating process changes its structure and makes it more porous. Thus, it’s able to bind to and collect various toxins, chemicals, and other unwanted materials. Common uses are for things like foot powder to eliminate stinky feet and foul odors in your fridge.

Note that activated charcoal hasn’t been very effective in clearing acids, iron, lithium, some alcohols, alkali, or gasoline when ingested.

Top 10 Uses of Activated Charcoal for Prepping

Final Word

Activated charcoal is said to be a safe substance for most individuals, but it may cause several side effects in some people. The most common of these are vomiting, constipation, and nausea. Although I mentioned that activated charcoal can be given to unconscious people, it’s not recommended because there’s a chance that it can travel into their lungs. How do you use activated charcoal for prepping? May God bless this world, Linda. 

Copyright Images: Raw Activated Charcoal Deposit photos_231870802_s-2019 By bhofack2, Capsules of Activated Charcoal Deposit photos_115486174_s-2019, Activated Charcoal Tablets Deposit photos_115486174_S By Sasajo