How To Get The Most Out Of Activated Bamboo Charcoal 

What is bamboo charcoal?

It’s as simple as it sounds, really – it’s charcoal that’s made from heating bamboo until almost everything has burnt away, leaving only carbon. The material that’s left is then activated bamboo charcoal, which can then be used for a whole host of purposes from filtering impurities from water and purifying air, right down to teeth whitening, bodily health and even as a deodorant. Leading us to ask, is there anything activated bamboo charcoal can’t do?

Photo credits: Binchotan

Bamboo charcoal is far from being the newest invention of environmental start-ups. In fact, it’s been used for centuries as a water filtration medium and as a key tool in medicine across Asia. It has also been a regular sight in health-food stores in the UK over recent years, now starting to find its way into the high street and supermarket shelves.

What can I use activated bamboo charcoal for, and does it really work? 

Water filtering – the activated bamboo charcoal can purify water by removing chemicals like chlorine and even adds extra minerals such as calcium. We like these filters from Binchotan 

Photo credits: Moso

Air purifying – it effectively removes bad odours, pollutants and allergens. Here’s an air-purifying bag from Moso

Photo credits: Beauty Bay

Teeth whitening – ditch the harsh chemicals and  give this fully natural activated bamboo charcoal from Beauty Bay a go for at-home teeth whitening 

Photo credits: Horace

Skincare – as we’ve learnt with how it filters water and purifies the air, it’s great at also removing the bad stuff from your skin that you pick up during the day, like toxins and impurities, without stripping your face bare. We love this facial cleanser from Horace 

Photo credits: Kaia

Natural deodorant – again, this miraculous substance strikes again, detoxifying our  armpits this time

Stomach problems – it can be used to counter issues like gas and diarrhoea and is even used to help treat poisonings and overdoses in emergency departments