Vegetable charcoal is a natural product used since the dawn of time against digestive discomfort or even intoxications and poisonings. Nowadays, its use has also become trendy in cosmetics, for purifying facial masks or in makeup. You prefer to use it in cooking to impress your table... and then as a detox treatment to eliminate and drain all accumulated toxins! Yes, activated vegetable charcoal is versatile thanks to its strong adsorbent power.
This article was updated on 06/12/2023Characteristics of activated vegetable charcoal
Activated vegetable charcoal most often comes in the form of a black powder resulting from a double calcination process of plant materials. These can be diverse and varied: non-resinous white woods such as poplar, birch but also straw, branches or even nut shells or fruit stones. These are all organic plant materials rich in carbon.
Technical characteristics
Activated vegetable charcoal identity card
Scientific name: Carbo vegetabilis
Common names: activated vegetable charcoal, activated vegetable charcoal
Inci name: charcoal powder
Origin: calcined plant material
Forms and preparations found: powders, capsules or tablets
Solubility: insoluble in water
Biochemical characteristics
A good activated vegetable charcoal powder should contain?
- carbon
Organoleptic characteristics
What does a good activated charcoal powder look like?
- Appearance: powder with an earthy texture;
- Black color ;
- Odor: none;
- Taste: none.
Manufacture of activated vegetable carbon
Obtaining vegetable charcoal is broken down into two stages, with the aim of form a multitude of pores internal and on the surface of the coal, with the aim of increasing its adsorption capacity! The more porous the carbon, the higher its adsorption capacity, that is to say its ability to attach to the surface.
Step 1: calcination or carbonization of plant materials
Step 2: activation
Properties of activated vegetable charcoal
Adsorbent power
In the case of activated vegetable charcoal, unlike our dear essential oils for example, it is not the active ingredients in the component which are at the origin of its properties but rather its structure… It does not really contain active substances strictly speaking since it is composed almost exclusively of pure carbon. The different stages of obtaining activated vegetable charcoal give it a porous texture thus developing its major action: its adsorbent power !
Adsorption is a phenomenon which manifests itself by the capture of substances on the active porous sites of a solid, here vegetable charcoal. The increased surface area of the pores helps trap toxins, bacteria and impurities encountered.
Researchers have estimated that just 1 small gram of powdered activated charcoal has an adsorption surface area of between 400 and 2500 m², the equivalent of approximately 3 to 15 volleyball courts (162 m²).... And yes ! This surface area would allow it to adsorb approximately 100 times its volume... Thus, you will understand that these adsorption properties give activated vegetable charcoal major actions at the body level.
Common applications
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There detoxification of the body through the adsorption of toxins, microorganisms, gases, found particularly at the level of digestive system and accessory organs (stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, kidneys). Activated vegetable charcoal is very useful in certain cases of poisoning, for example.
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Overall participation in thedigestive balance. By participating in the adsorption of gases, activated vegetable charcoal helps reduce bloating and plays a real role in digestive well-being.
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There purification, it also works for dermal. At the skin level we also find toxins which cling, bacteria which multiply… Activated vegetable charcoal purifies the skin by adsorbing these impurities.
- There coloring is also a property of activated plant carbon to be exploited. It is a very black and strongly coloring pigment which can be used for example in make-up such as mascaras.
How to choose your activated vegetable charcoal?
In what forms can I find activated vegetable charcoal?
Activated vegetable charcoal comes naturally in a simple form: a powder. However, it is possible to find it in other forms in pharmacies or in stores, otherwise it would be too simple, let's see... powder, in tablets or in capsules, what are the major differences between these different formulations and especially which one to choose?
In powder
In its most natural, raw and pure form
In tablets
In a galenic form combining pure activated vegetable charcoal and excipients
In capsules
Activated vegetable charcoal powder is wrapped in a capsule
This formulation is composed of activated vegetable charcoal powder in a gelatin capsule. Like the tablets, the capsule allows you to get through the earthy texture of the powder. Scientists argue that the envelope would delay the effectiveness of the charcoal powder since it must be broken down in the stomach before releasing its contents.
IN SHORT, choosing vegetable charcoal in the form of a tablet or capsule means choosing a solution that is pre-measured and therefore more expensive. In addition, activated vegetable charcoal will not be alone and raw in these formulations. It is therefore possible that the addition of substances clogs the pores and therefore modifies the properties of the charcoal... So it's up to you, but at the Compagnie des Sens the powder appears to be the purest, effective and economical solution !
The quality criteria of activated vegetable charcoal
What labels can be associated with activated vegetable charcoal?
At present, there is no no label allowing the quality of activated vegetable charcoal to be certified. Just make sure that the manufacturer ensures 100% pure and natural activated charcoal in powder form.
Origin: a preferred plant material?
A statement regarding the plant origin of coal is always a good idea. Please note that depending on the plant material, a charcoal will be more or less adsorbent. For example, with coconut shells we would obtain a highly adsorbent vegetable charcoal, with very small pores.
Activated or “super activated” vegetable charcoal?
You have probably already seen the term “super activated” vegetable charcoal appear on your product if you are closely interested in activated vegetable charcoal. What is the difference between these two terms, activated and “super activated”? Activated, or activated, vegetable charcoal is qualified as such according to its manufacturing process: a double treatment, calcination and activation, allows it to be obtained. The word “super activated” can be included on the labeling to indicate a high carbon adsorption potential, even higher than a classic formula. For example, some manufacturers qualify their vegetable charcoal as “super activated” when their adsorption surface area is approximately 2000 m² per gram of powder. This is above all a mention to facilitate the buyer's choice. This does not mean that a product without this mention will be less effective… Manufacturers offer vegetable charcoal with the same adsorption potential and they do not, however, include the “super activated” mention.
Little advice : the mention can certainly help in making your choice but checking the adsorption potential, 1000, 1500, 2000 m² per gram of powder, is the best way to know which carbon we have in our hands!
How to use activated vegetable charcoal?
For health
Detoxifying treatment
Take 1 to 2 tablespoons (approximately 4 g) in a glass of water, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach, then repeat twice during the day at mealtimes. A course of 10 to 15 days can be considered with the agreement of your doctor and/or pharmacist.
Digestive problems, stomach aches, bloating, diarrhea
Take a teaspoon (about 2 g) in a glass of water, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach or when you feel the need before a meal.
Food poisoning
In case of food poisoning, take 1 g/kg of body weight of activated vegetable charcoal in a glass of water. Consult a healthcare professional promptly.
Bites from insects or venomous animals, sores
Make a thick poultice using an activated vegetable charcoal paste obtained using water. Apply to the area in question for 30 minutes then wash thoroughly and renew the poultice 2 to 3 times a day until improvement.
Little tip: For oral use, use a straw to drink your mixture. This will avoid having a completely black mouth even if it goes away after a few rinses with water ;)
In cosmetics
Purifying mask for oily, combination or acne-prone skin
Mix ½ teaspoon of activated vegetable charcoal with 1 tablespoon of green clay and a teaspoon of vegetable oil. You can add a little Witch Hazel hydrosol until you obtain a homogeneous paste. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes on the face then rinse gently with water. To complete the treatment, you can pass over the face using a cotton pad impregnated with Jojoba vegetable oil or Witch Hazel hydrosol. Activated vegetable charcoal helps cleanse the skin and capture impurities, toxins and excess sebum responsible for blackheads and other facial conditions.
Makeup
Incorporate activated vegetable charcoal powder into your mascara, eyeshadow or kohl preparations at a rate of 10%.
White teeth
Lightly moisten your toothbrush and dip it in the charcoal powder, brush and rinse with clean water. You can add a drop of Lemon or Wild Mint essential oil to your toothbrush. Use this 1 to 2 times a week. For the witch's smile, don't worry! After a few rinses with clean water and normal brushing with toothpaste, you will find your teeth cleaned, shiny and even whiter than before. In addition to its whitening action, activated vegetable charcoal helps capture bad odors for fresh breath.
For domestic use
Bad smells
Take a small cup and fill it with a little charcoal powder. Vegetable charcoal, thanks to its adsorbent properties, allows you to capture bad odors from a refrigerator, toilet, trash can or other…
In the kitchen
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered activated vegetable charcoal to your preparations, bread dough, pastries, ice creams, cocktails. The adsorbent effects of activated vegetable charcoal have not been proven once mixed with a culinary preparation, however it will surely amuse your guests to eat a completely black bread.
Precautions for using activated vegetable charcoal
Activated vegetable charcoal has many benefits and appears safe on the short term if used as recommended. However, please consult a doctor or pharmacist before using vegetable charcoal. oral route. We do not recommend its use in young people children, during a pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical advice.
Vigilant point
Contraindications
The use of vegetable charcoal orally is contraindicated for people who are constipated, suffering from peptic ulcer, digestive hernia or even intestinal obstruction.
Skin application
Ingestion
For internal use, it is important to drink enough water during charcoal treatment. The latter can lead to mild constipation. Please seek medical advice for any use of charcoal ingestion.
Allergenic components
Vegetable charcoal does not contain allergenic biochemical components. If it is used according to the recommended recommendations there are no real known allergic risks. However, for the most reactive and fragile people, do not hesitate to test your sensitivity to vegetable charcoal in the crook of the elbow 48 hours before use.
Interaction with other treatments
Activated vegetable charcoal, as an adsorbent compound, can counteract the effects of medicinal treatments taken in parallel. By medications we mean all treatments that may be essential to your daily life and may interact with charcoal: antihistamine, contraceptive pill, antihypertensive, etc. It is therefore preferable to take it approximately 3 hours apart from medications.
Methods of use and storage
Authorized users
Possible ways of use
Use, conservation, storage
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