Charcoal is good for more than just cooking a steak on the grill. Its ability to absorb many times its weight in toxins make it perfect for removing poisons and other harmful compounds from the body. It can help ease the discomfort of insect bites and can help ease common stomach problems associated with the buildup of acid in the body.
Poison Control
Its ability to absorb large amounts of toxins before they have a chance to harm your body makes charcoal great at removing ingested poisons in the body, doctors at The Mayo Clinic report. Dosages depend on the type of poison taken and the time between the poisoning and the ingestion of charcoal, but researchers at Stanford University report on their Wellsphere website that the charcoal treatment can begin to work immediately and can be an effective method for providing a window of time to get to a hospital. They recommend including charcoal tablets in the first aid kit of all families with small children.
Fights Colds and Flu
Taking charcoal can help fight some common viruses associated with colds and flu, doctors say. The Vitamin Research Products website suggests that activated charcoal tablets can help prevent the poisons associated with these common ailments by absorbing the toxins they generate.
Insect Bites
Charcoal has been shown to be an effective way to ease the discomfort associated with insect stings and bites because it immediately attaches itself to the poison and limits the spread through the body. Doctors recommend crushing the tablet and applying it to the affected area. Treated properly, charcoal will reduce the pain and swelling associated with the insect sting or bite.
Lowers Cholesterol
A regular intake of charcoal tablets has been shown to be an effective way to lower cholesterol and fat levels in the bloodstream. Taking charcoal lowers the concentration in the blood, liver, heart and brain, doctors at the vitamin research website say. An examination of tissue after a charcoal regimen showed that the intake of charcoal reduced the hardening of the heart and heart blood vessels.
Intestinal Problems
Charcoal has been used for years by doctors to reduce problems like diarrhea, gas and bloating associated with many common stomach complaints, doctors at the Vitamin Research Products website report. It works by counteracting the breakdown of compounds found in foods that cause these and other stomach conditions. Physicians also prescribe charcoal to their patients suffering from ulcerative colitis and spastic colons to ease the discomfort associated with these conditions.
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