# What is it? According to Wikipedia: “Charcoal is the lightweight black carbon and ash residue produced by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances”. This would be mainly wood or bone, heated to a temperature of about 300ºC in the abstence of oxygen (which process is being called pyrolysis) . https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Charcoal2.jpg/640px-Charcoal2.jpg Courtesy [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcoal) The usage of charcoal goes way back in time. As far as 30,000 B.C. where man used it to create paintings in their caves. Throughout the history, charcoal became popular in metallurgy because of it’s very high burning temperatures in comparison to using only wood. Wood contains a lot of substances such as water, methane, hydrogen and tar which inhibits high temperatures. Now, charcoal and *activated* charcoal are two completely different things and I will get deeper into that a little bit further on. # The Egyptians and Greeks knew it "Hippocrates, the Greek physician considered the father of natural medicine, used activated charcoal to cure many patients. Activated charcoal (also referred to simply as activated carbon) has been called black magic because of it’s color and healing abilities"^[1]. Ancient Egyptians already used activated charcoal as did the Native Americans. The Egyptians found great usage in preservation of wood burried in wet/moist soils, because of it’s anti-fungal properties, which also gave them another application, namely, preservation of corpses. "From Egyptian papyri around 1500 B.C., the principal use appears to have been to adsorb the unpleasant odors from putrefying wounds and from within the intestinal tract"^[2]. https://i.imgsafe.org/5b/5b9bd147c7.jpeg Charcoal "Pliny (50 A.D.) writes in his epoch work Natural History (Vol. 36): “It is only when ignited and quenched that charcoal itself acquires its characteristic powers and only when it seems to have perished, that it becomes endowed with greater virtue.” What Pliny observed and noted so long ago, is the very mystery, which science continues to exploit today. In the second century A.D., Claudius Galen was the most famous doctor of the Roman Empire and the ancient world’s strongest supporter of experimentation for scientific discovery. He produced nearly 500 medical treatises, many of them referring to the use of charcoals of both vegetable and animal origin, for the treatment of a wide range of diseases"^[2]. # A cheap, healthy remedy without consequences With pharmaceutical companies making billions of dollars annually preparing and providing the public with medications for almost every imaginable condition, illness, and disease, it’s no surprise that the average American is bombarded with numerous advertisements and marketing strategies designed to promote over-the-counter and prescribed medications. The adverse effects of these medicinal treatments can sometimes aggravate current conditions, create new reactions, or even produce serious negative consequences that can lead to further disease or death. In an effort to avoid complications, the holistic health community started delving into natural remedies for the treatment of common conditions and diseases. Just as certain forms of ginger, turmeric, aloe vera, and coconut oil can all contribute specific health benefits naturally, without the dangers of common synthetic medications, so too can activated charcoal. Activated charcoal has been shown to have unique properties that detoxify the body and support immunity against various ailments. It has been proven to fight heart disease and arthritis pain, as well as alleviate allergies and improve cognitive functions. With its ability to improve multiple physical and mental processes, activated charcoal can transform your health for the better! https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0180/1579/products/BlackMagic-CROP_c87e9847-2431-43e8-a621-050efc1f1e2c_large.jpg [LuliTonix](https://lulitonix.com/products/black-magic-activated-charcoal-elixir) "Today, activated charcoal is rated Category 1, “safe and effective”, by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acute toxic poisoning. It is also listed in the U.S. homeopathic pharmacopoeia as having “marked absorptive power of gases”. A 1981 study, reported in Prevention magazine, confirmed what Native Americans have known for hundreds of years, that activated charcoal cuts down on the amount of gas produced by beans and other gas-producing foods and adsorbs the excess gas as well as the bacteria that form the gas. Brand name, over-the-counter drugs, may be more commonly used for gas, because of their attractive packaging and commercial value, but they are certainly not as effective"^[3]. "Old charcoal remedies are repackaged today in catchy packages, but the charcoal inside is still it’s same humble self: still unpretentious, still black, still dusty and messy to use, still relatively cheap, still ridiculed if not ignored and still largely un-thanked. But in hundreds if not thousands of ways, charcoal touches our lives every day though we would scarcely know it. Crafted by the Creator's hands, it’s history resurrected from the burial sands of ancient Egypt. Charcoal is one of the single greatest benefactors to the human race"^[3]. # The how, where and what To become activated, normal charcoal requires an additional process after the pyrolysis process. This causes the formation of a large number of very small pores on the charcoal’s surface, which work as microscopic traps to take up compounds and particles. This activation process can be performed using either physical or chemical means, but both methods produce the same quality product. The consistency and porosity, or “grit” of the activated charcoal can vary widely. For example, in industrial, environmental and agricultural uses, the most commonly preferred products have a larger hardness or abrasion number. "For beauty and health treatments, the activated charcoal should have a high density and low ash content. The fine forms of activated charcoal that should be used in personal applications, are readily available in health stores and online, making the purchasing process very easy. Once in your possesion, you should store it in a dark place, free of moisture and humidity. Combined with easy-to-find ingredients, activated charcoal treatments for health and beauty can be made easily in your own home. In the rare chance that you are unable to find activated charcoal powder, there are countless locations and websites that offer activated charcoal in encapsulated or pressed pill form"^[4]. "With the ability to combat foreign and organic toxins, activated charcoal should not be consumed within two hours of ingesting medications as it will block their absorption. With excessive consumption, some studies have shown that diarrhea or constipation can result. Even though activated charcoal can be used in the treatment of digestive disorders, pregnant and breastfeeding women should always consult their physician before using it in any ingested form. As with any product, the appearance of rashes, hives or redness, that might indicate an allergic reaction, should always trigger discontinued use. However, because activated charcoal is nontoxic and organic, irritations and reactions may be unique to a specific brand or manufacturer. If you do choose to incorporate activated charcoal in your everyday life, it is always recommended that you consult your physician in order to determine if it could possibly interfere with any medications, conditions or illnesses you experience. Also, before you give activated charcoal to a child, please consult your pediatrician for advice and counsel"^[4].

Effective uses for a lot of daily inconveniences^{^{^[4]}}

- Minimizes gas - Stops diarrhea - Eliminates bad breath - Eliminates body odor - Treats skin irritation - Takes the sting out of bug bites - Treats sensitivity in teeth - Soothes sore throat - Alleviates allergies - Reduces muscle soreness - Naturally relieves pain - Increases energy levels - Promotes nerve functioning - Improves memory - Minimizes morning sickness - Naturally improves appetite - Provides antibacterial protection - Provides antimicrobial protection - Boosts antifungal protection - Heals scalp conditions - Traps impurities in water - Prevents the growth of mold - Reduces joint pain - Treats alcohol poisoning - Disinfects wounds - Helps prevent hangovers

Effective uses for more severe health problems^{^{^[4]}}

- Combats heart disease - Fights kidney disease - Reduces high cholesterol - Reduces liver damage - Prevents drug overdoses - Treats poisoning - Alleviates psoriasis - Depletes depressive conditions

Some effective esthetic health uses^{^{^[4]}}

- Treats acne - Alleviates dandruff - Whitens teeth - Balances oily skin - Exfoliates skin - Makes an anti-wrinkle mask - Unclogs pores - Cleanses hair - Adds volume to hair - Acts as an anti-aging ingredient - Makes a natural eyeliner - Creates a natural mascara - Formulates a rejuvenating face mask - Cleanses the skin - Eliminates blackheads - Makes a cleansing body scrub - Creates a natural eyebrow gel - Remove toxins with a bath soak - Treats burns - Heals cracked lips - Promotes healing of cold sores - Makes a natural lip balm - Promotes nutrient absorption - Moisturizes skin - Promotes hair growth - Natural makeup-remover - Prevents skin infections - Soothes sunburns References: [1] [healthy-holistic-living](http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/activated-charcoal-ancient-medicine-egyptians-greeks-native-americans.html) [2] [charcoalremedies](http://www.charcoalremedies.com/doctors) [3] [buyactivatedcharcoal](https://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/activated_charcoal_history) [4] [Google books](https://books.google.com.pe/books?id=69euDgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false) Links to more detailed information: [FoxNews](http://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/2017/06/28/does-activated-charcoal-really-detox-your-body.html) [Benefits of activated charcoal: Medicine of the Egyptians, Greeks and native Americans]( http://naturalsociety.com/health-benefits-of-activated-charcoal-medicine-detox) [The importance of activated charcoal for health](https://omtimes.com/2012/10/the-importance-of-activated-charcoal-for-health) [The making of charcoal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ii6S70bVY0) [Changing charcoal into activated charcoal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UPxYVemno8) Please thank me for my work

Effective uses for a lot of daily inconveniences[4]

Effective uses for more severe health problems[4]

Some effective esthetic health uses[4]

Effective uses for a lot of daily inconveniences^{^{^[4]}}

Effective uses for more severe health problems^{^{^[4]}}

Some effective esthetic health uses^{^{^[4]}}