Today I want to let you know about one of my favourite little Detox secrets: activated charcoal. Activated charcoal has amazing health benefits such as naturally whitening teeth, alleviating gas, bloating and discomfort, cleansing the digestive system by removing toxins, preventing cellular damage in the body, reducing high cholesterol, increasing energy and mental function and reducing joint pain, but chances are you’ve never even heard of it! Starring as one of my daily Tonic recipes from my Easy Spring Detox, the Black Beauty Detox Drink harnesses the detoxifying power of nature featuring activated charcoal. But charcoal I hear you cry?!? Isn’t that what you find in the bottom of the BBQ or fireplace? Well yes, but this is entirely different as activated charcoal is a potent natural treatment derived from coconut used to trap toxins and chemicals in the body in its millions of tiny pores, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesn’t reabsorb them. Activated charcoal works through the chemical process of adsorption. In the body, absorption is the reaction whereby elements, including nutrients, chemicals and toxins, are soaked up and assimilated into the blood stream. Adsorption is the chemical reaction where elements bind to a surface. The porous surface of activated charcoal has a negative electric charge that causes positive charged toxins to bond with it. The tiny pores in activated charcoal are created through a heating process, which differentiates it from regular charcoal and making it so wonderful for your health. So no raiding the bottom of the fireplace!
And just a few things to note before I launch into the recipe: only take this detox drink once daily due to the activated charcoal and take 2 hours away from any supplements, I like to take mine mid morning or mid afternoon so that its well away from my main meals too. Activated charcoal is available online or in health food shops and a 70g pot costs $10-15 AUD depending where you buy it. Take care when using it as it can STAIN porous surfaces such as granite/marble/grout, so be sure just to mix in and over your kitchen sink to avoid any disasters! I also do not advise that you use activated charcoal for prolonged periods due to its potent nature. If constipation occurs when taking activated charcoal then you are not drinking enough water. You have been warned!
So I hope you give this drink a try, its delicious, and activated charcoal is such a great thing to have in the cupboard, as it can be used for treating gastro or skin infections too.
And finally here is my recipe:
BLACK BEAUTY DETOX DRINK
1 cup room-temperature water
Juice from 1 lemon
1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon activated charcoal
1 teaspoon raw honey, maple syrup, or stevia to taste (optional)
Mix in a glass or jam jar and serve, serves one.
In good health!
Victoria xoxoxox
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