Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.
What is specific about activated carbon is the incorrect arrangement of the 6-atom carbon rings, which can be associated with various free radicals, with hydrogen, and in some cases with oxygen.
The adsorbing properties of carbon are a prerequisite for the use of activated carbon in the purification of air (for example in gas filters), drinking water and various types of alcohol, as well as in medicine.
Activated carbon is available in "Zdravnitza" in the form of capsules. It is used in cases of mild forms of diarrhea, poisoning and overdoses that occur after oral administration, as it stops the absorption of toxins from the digestive tract. The use of activated carbon is contraindicated in cases of ingested acid, base or petroleum product.
Homemade recipe for activated carbon
Of course, there is no way to make such a high-quality product at home as products in industrial conditions, at least because the temperature in the industrial processing of coal raw materials reaches 800C!
However, there is a recipe for making activated carbon at home.
To make activated carbon you will need birch, oak or pine wood, cut from healthy and not very old trees. The bark and core must be removed. The fire is ignited and burns until a pile of coals remains in it.
Choose the largest coals, blow the ashes out of them and wash them, dry them and store them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Once completely dry, grind them and sift them through a medium sieve. This produces charcoal powder, which can be used both for household purposes (for filtering water or alcohol) and for medical purposes (for sprinkling wounds, for drinking for prophylactic purposes or internally - for treatment).
However, to get charcoal with a large surface area of the pores, you will need more effort. To do this, while the coals are still hot, you need to put them in a filter and steam them. Position the filter so that it does not touch the water. Bring to the boil and hold the filter in this position. The algorithm is then as follows: wait for the coals to dry, grind them to a powder and sift.
The powder should be stored in a dry place, in a closed container and, as with clays, away from aromatic substances. If the coals are moistened during storage, their absorption properties are reduced.
Where to buy activated carbon?
You can buy activated carbon (charcoal) capsules from "Zdravnitza".
We deliver our products to Bulgaria, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Israel and Thailand.
You can also buy the products in the local stores of "Zdravnitza":
Health store "Zdravnitza"
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
23 Neofit Rilski str.
Logistic center "Zdravnitza"
1303 Sofia, Bulgaria
74 Odrin str.