"Activated charcoal" as a medicine

Charcoal has been part of our life. It can be used for cooking for those family who can't afford to buy a gas stove or electric stove. Who knows that this charcoals can be used as medicines.

Common charcoal is made from peat, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum. "Activated charcoal" is similar to common charcoal, but is made especially for use as medicine.

To make activated charcoal, manufacturers heat common charcoal in the presence of a gas that causes the charcoal to develop lots of internal spaces or "pores". These pores help activated charcoal "trap" chemicals.

Activated charcoal is used to treat poisonings, reduce intestinal gas or flatulence, lower cholesterol levels, prevent hangover, and treat bile flow problems or cholestasis during pregnancy.