A Sort of Coal for Your Health

Danish company Sort of Coal makes it possible for us to try a natural purification agent known for centuries in Japan and Korea: white charcoal.

Unlike common charcoal, white charcoal does not leave dust or residue. It is made by heating pieces of oak and bamboo over a seven-day period in an oxygen-lacking environment. The resulting product retains the original shape and unique beauty of the real wood.

White charcoal has been always used to purify air, water, and body.
Its great absorption ability makes it useful for getting rid of air pollution, unwanted smells, and moisture. When added to water, it will remove chlorine and other impurities, softening the water and improving the overall taste. Soap made with white charcoal powder cleans pores, absorbs impurities, and removes dead skin, helping to take care of acne-prone skin.
Charcoal pieces can also be placed near the computer or TV – they create natural anions, reducing harmful ionization.

White charcoal is reusable and recyclable. Its purification qualities can be reactivated through exposure to boiling water or direct sunlight for a few months up to a few years.
Once it is no longer functioning as a purifier, the charcoal can be broken into pieces and used as a soil amendment.

Some air and water purification products by Sort of Coal are available on the US market through Design Within Reach.
The Sort Of Coal website offers a full array of products: sticks for water and other liquid purification, charcoal cubes, stems and panels for air purification, white and black soaps, and Chi balancing jewelry.
My favorites are white charcoal sculptures, made from Korean oak. They refresh the air in living or commercial spaces (offices and restaurants) and help to balance Chi energy, positively influencing both our well-being and the environment.