The Many Benefits of Charcoal Infused Water

BOY OH BOY WHERE DO I START?

Who knew that adding Kishu Binchotan charcoal sticks to your water would kill bacteria and purify it water like nothing else.

To be real, you could even take a bath with it to improve circulation and detoxify, but we’ll get to that.

A TSC reader DM’d me on Instagram and told me I had to add charcoal to my water immediately. Obviously, I did what I always do… went off and researched everything, then decided to test it for 3 months before I talked with you about it.

I.AM.OBSESSED.

You can’t go wrong here really. This is one of those TSC tips that’s affordable, effective and really easy to implement.

But before we get deeper into this, lets figure out how it works.  Kishu – an activated charcoal stick which is extremely porous  – when added to water binds with toxic molecules, it acts as a powerful magnet for removing toxins.  It’s like a water filter that attracts contaminants found in tap water.  Unlike other filters that does a multi-step process, requires high temperatures to kill bacteria, you just need to dip this charcoal stick into your water and that’s it.

These charcoal sticks have been used as water purifiers in Japan since the 17th century.

Let’s get to all the benefits of charcoal infused little black sticks.

Benefits of charcoal infused water (kishu charcoal):

+ it’s a green way to filter tap water- environmentally friendly.

+ fits in water bottles.

+ a fabulous green alternative to plastic filters.

+ infuses water with minerals.

+ detoxifies & removes toxins from water (without chemicals).

+ reusable: one stick lasts 4 months.

+ softens water and makes it taste better.

All you have to do is simply drop a charcoal stick into your bottle or glass of water and it starts filtering and purifying immediately. You don’t have to remove the stick after a certain amount of time- just leave it in.  You wonder what charcoal infused water tastes like?  It is tasteless and non-toxic.

Ways to use charcoal sticks:

+ add it to a bubble bath.

+ put it in a water pitcher with lemon, mint, lime and ginger.

+ pop a stick in your tea.

+ drop one in your pedicure foot soak.

The great thing about this is they’re affordable, they last for 4 months and they’re easy to have on hand AND travel with. One stick can cover a large surface area – like your bathtub. It has a wide range of uses and health benefits. We love versatility.

The ones I bought are from Amazon, but make sure you get the Kishu ones. It’s the highest grade of Japanese oak charcoal.

“Kishu is a finely crafted form of activated charcoal also called activated carbon. By heating wood to an extremely high temperature, usually in a kiln, and slowly depriving it of oxygen, the wood becomes carbonized. Kishu Charcoal is 97% pure carbon. This pure form of carbon readily adsorbs or bonds with toxins, principally metals, at the molecular level. Kishu Charcoal has been found to be effective at reducing: LEAD, MERCURY, COPPER, ALUMINUM, URANIUM, and MOLYBDENUM to name a handful of those we tested. In addition, Kishu Charcoal imparts three minerals: Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium.” via

These are a totally natural alternative to other water purifying systems. I really am obsessed.

BEWARE: they will make your fingers black. So if you’re handling them after a fresh manicure, be sure to use a paper towel when you pick them up. Other than that, there’s really no downside to adding charcoal to your water.

What the most random, weird hack you’ve discovered lately that we all need to know about?

You know I love my water concoctions, especially in the mornings. Of course I have Beauty Water first thing, but here are some other ways I make my water work for me.

x, Lauryn

+ The perfect water pitcher for charcoal and fresh fruit medleys.

++ Learn how to create your own eucalyptus shower.

Get On Board With Charcoal