Home » Health & Wellness » Home Remedies Activated Charcoal Detox – Benefits and How to do June 18, 2025 by Pranay David Fact checked We have a team of smart fact checkers. They make sure our content is accurate. They use the best sources like medical journals and government websites. You can find their names and profiles on the articles they check. Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer for more details. Detoxification is the medicinal removal of toxins from the human body. Activated charcoal is a medication used to detoxify human body. If activated charcoal can be used within one hour of poisoning, it would be effective. This article will discuss how to do an activated charcoal detox.(1) Article Contains What is Charcoal Detox Benefits of Activated Charcoal Detox How to Do an Activated Charcoal Detox What is Charcoal Detox When activated charcoal, a type of charcoal, is used to trap toxins and chemicals preventing the body from absorbing it, then the process is called charcoal detox. Negatively charged charcoal attracts positively charged molecules of toxins. Benefits of Activated Charcoal Detox Activated charcoal is used as an emergency toxin treatment as it eliminates toxin chemicals like pesticides, mercury, drug overdoses etc.(2) Activated charcoal reduces the number of waste products from the body and thus promotes kidney function. Activated charcoal helps to reduce bad LDL cholesterol. Tooth whitening is another benefit of activated charcoal, which absorbs plaque and other tooth-staining compounds. Activated charcoal is an effective treatment for acne. How to Do an Activated Charcoal Detox If you use activated charcoal regularly, it will reduce unwanted toxin from your body. It also flushes out heavy metals from our body. Activated Charcoal for Liver Detox Activated charcoal is the best detoxifier of liver. However, it is an auxiliary to sound health practices.(3) Ingredients: 20 grams activated charcoal 1 glass Water Procedure: Take 20 grams activated charcoal on two consecutive days each week. Drink enough water How it works: water is the cleansing agent. When activated charcoal passes through GI tract, it picks up toxins and water helps to move the mass until it is eliminated from the body. Repetitions: 3 times a day. Best time to take: in the morning, at midday and before going to bed. [ Read: Apple Cider Vinegar Detox ] Activated Charcoal for Lyme Detox Activated charcoal passes through the body without any detox reaction. It soaks up excess ammonia caused by lyme.(4) Ingredients: 2 activated charcoal capsules Water Preparation time: this process needs no preparation time. Procedure: Take 1 capsule and drink it with water Don’t eat anything for 2 hours How it works: activated charcoal adheres to the endotoxins, which are responsible for a herxheimer reaction. Repetitions: 2 times daily. Best time to apply: 2 hours before and after taking anything else. [ Read: Detox Juice Recipes for Weight Loss ] Activated Charcoal Hair Detox When you use activated charcoal on hair, it can pull out dirt, oil and toxins from hair. It is better than regular shampoo for detoxicating hair.(5) Ingredients: 1 teaspoon activated charcoal 1-2 pouch normal shampoo Preparation time: 2 minutes. Procedure: Mix activated charcoal with normal shampoo Apply it to hair Massage for 5 minutes Wash with water How it works: mixture of regular shampoo and activated charcoal not only removes surface dirt, but also will pull out even more. Repetitions: twice a week. Best time to apply: during bath. [ Read: Yoga Poses to Detox Your Body ] Activated Charcoal Foot Detox Application of detoxifying activated charcoal on feet draws dirt, impurities from the body. It absorbs odors thus leaving your feet fresh and clean. Ingredients: 1 teaspoon activated charcoal 1 teaspoon coffee ½ cup water Preparation time: 5 minutes. Procedure: Mix activated charcoal with coffee Add water Apply to the feet for 15 minutes Rinse with water How it works: feet are the main centers of our body. Many diseases appear on our feet. This mask helps to cleanse your feet by removing dirt from it. Repetitions: twice a week. Best time to apply: before bath. [ Read: Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak Benefits ] Activated Charcoal and Bentonite Clay Detox A face mask is made from activated charcoal and bentonite clay. It promotes soft, smooth skin by unclogging blocked pores. Ingredients: 2 tbsp bentonite clay 3 capsules activated charcoal Water Preparation time: 10 minutes. Procedure: Mix bentonite clay with activated charcoal in a bowl with a spoon Add water Make a thick paste Apply it to face How it works: Bentonite clay draws impurities and toxins from face it also tightens large pores, controls oily skin and reduces blemishes. Repetitions: once in a week. Best time to apply: after bath. Tips: do not use a metal bowl or spoon. [ Read: How to Use Activated Charcoal for Gas ] Armpit Detox with Activated Charcoal Activated charcoal can be used to make natural deodorant for detoxicating armpit. It draws impurities and dirt from armpit. Ingredients: ½ tbsp bentonite clay 1 capsule activated charcoal 2 tbsp water 2 drops essential oil Preparation time: 10 minutes. Procedure: Break capsules of activated charcoal and put its contents in a bowl Mix all the above ingredients to it in the bowl with a spoon Apply the paste to each underarm Leave it for 20 minutes Rinse with water How it works: conventional deodorants consist of many chemicals, which are drawn from the skin by application of activated charcoal. Repetitions: every day. Best time to apply: before or after bath. How Much Activated Charcoal to Take for Detox? You may take 25-35 grams of activated charcoal twice or thrice daily. It is true that activated charcoal is really effective for detox but keep in mind that ever body responds in a different way to different doses. Overuse of activated charcoal may cause constipation. So you may consult your doctor about doses of it before using it. Don’t take activated charcoal with other prescribed medications.(6) References National Library Of Medicine – Activated Charcoal wikipedia –Activated charcoal cleanse National Library Of Medicine – The Use of Activated Charcoal to Treat Intoxications National Library Of Medicine – A Review of the Mechanism of Injury and Treatment Approaches for Illness Resulting from Exposure to Water-Damaged Buildings, Mold, and Mycotoxins National Library Of Medicine – Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review National Library Of Medicine – Activated Charcoal You Might Also Like: Top 16 Detox Foods to Cleanse Your Body Naturally Healthy Detox Juice Recipes – Benefits & How to Make at Home Detox Smoothies – 5 Healthy Recipes to Cleanse Your Body and Lose Weight Fast 6 Delicious Detox Water Recipes Is Charcoal Good for Clogged Pores? 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