Table of Contents
Activated Charcoal Cures
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Bought at your local pharmacy, activated charcoal is commonly used in emergency treatment for specific kinds of poisonings and drug overdoses to keep the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body. Charcoal is also used to cure gas/flatulence and help an upset stomach. A natural deodorant and disinfectant, Activated Charcoal is one of the finest absorptive and adsorptive agents known. Orally administered, these fine black granules have an amazing ability to extract and neutralize many more times their own weight in gases, heavy metals, toxins, poisons and other chemicals. Activated Charcoal is made by heating coconut shells in the absence of air. The partly burned shells are then granulated to a size that provides for optimum absorption. This vegetable form of carbon (an element found in all living matter), is completely safe for human consumption. Long recognized as being particularly helpful in providing relief for trapped gas in the lower intestine, physicians and regulatory agencies also acknowledge charcoal's cleansing properties. Known universally, it is used in hospital emergency rooms to neutralize drugs and poisons.
Since 1813, when a chemist swallowed five grams of arsenic trioxide mixed with charcoal with no adverse effect, charcoal has been commonly used as a household remedy for accidental poisoning. Research has shown that one cubic inch of charcoal has the surface area equivalent to a 150,000-square-foot field! Thus a tiny amount of charcoal can hold adhere to a large number of molecules, ions, and atoms and absorb poison quickly.
How it works:
Activated charcoal keeps the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body.
Charcoal is most successful if used within the first hour of swallowing poison. In severe poisoning cases, several doses of charcoal might be required. Ordinarily, activated charcoal should not be used to treat the ingestion of corrosive poisons (lye, acids, fuel oil, alcohols, et cetera). In the event of accidental poisioning, please call your doctor or area Poison Control Center before using activated charcoal. They will advise as to the use of charcoal after taking info on the the type of poison, allergies, and other medical problems.
Warning: Charcoal can decrease your body's absorption of certain nutrients and also interfere with medications. Because of this, frequent use is not recommended. Activated charcoal may also cause abdominal pain or swelling. If this occurs, contact your doctor immediately -- it could be an indication of intestinal bleeding or blockage.
05/14/2007: Emily from Skowhegan, USA writes: "I was interested in learning more about activated charcoal before using it and found this information on another site and thought I would share. Activated charcoal adsorbs a wide range of drugs and nutrients. Those using activated charcoal should avoid using it within two hours of drug, food, nutritional supplement or herb intake or within two hours before their intake. This is good to know since I am on the pill and other medications."
NOTE: Charcoal loses its effectiveness when mixed with chocolate syrup, ice cream, or sherbet.
Interested in reading one of the best books on activated charcoal? Check out Charcoal Remedies, The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and its Applications by John Dinsley.
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 02/05/2010: Rita from Skandia, Michigan /usa writes: "Will the activated charcoal tabs take away the effectiveness of my medicine?"
02/14/2010: Heartrhythms from Santa Fe, Nm replies: "Hi Rita, activated charcoal would probably reduce the absorption of your medicine if taken around the same time (to be safe, I'd leave at least 4-5 hours between the charcoal and meds)."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 05/05/2008: Gean from Salina, Kansas writes: "I am very allergic to bee stings. I had gotten stung a few times during my childhood and teens, each time with more severe swelling. The last time I had gotten stung (stepped on a bee going barefoot), my leg swelled up like an elephant leg all the way to the thigh (the time before that it was just above the knee). So I knew it would be worse the next time, so I carried an Epi-pen around for a while until it expired. Then I carried nothing with me, but I knew if I got stung again esp. above the waist it would probably cut off my airway circulation. Well, lo and behold, about 20 years later I got stung again, right on my throat, so I yelled for my husband to call 911, thinking I was done for. Then a few seconds later I said, "Never mind! Hang up and help me mix up this charcoal!" So we took some powdered activated charcoal, mixed it with water, and applied it to the sting site. When the paramedics showed up a few minutes later (they had traced the call), we told them we were fine, since there was no swelling at all. I changed the charcoal poultice quite often during that first day, I don't remember exactly how often. Maybe every hour for a few hours. We also ground up some flax seed and mixed it with the charcoal and water. This makes it gelatinous and less runny. I kept the poultice on for about 3 days. Two days later I felt it itch and begin to swell, and then I realized the poultice had slipped off the sting site. So I knew I was still very allergic, and the charcoal had probably saved my life."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 05/15/2008: Killer Bees from Brisbane, Australia writes: "I had the same problem as Sharon from Santa Fe. I'm 42 now and for the last couple of years, I've had problems with everything I eat making me bloated and uncomfortable. I've tried everything I can think of, including elimination diets, with no luck. But activated charcoal really worked for me. I take 2 tabs in the morning and then 2 at night, each time about an hour after eating to give my body time to digest the meal's nutrients. I don't usually take it at lunch time because I only have soup or tea and that doesn't seem to upset me too much. I didn't have the diahorrea. My stools were solid and did change to a very dark brown/black and I felt very cleaned out. They passed more easily as well. I'll keep taking the tabs twice a day until I feel like I don't need them. My thanks to Sharon from Santa Fe for recommending this product. Girl, you rock!"
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[YEA] 03/04/2008: Sharon from Santa Fe, NM writes: "After menopause, I seemed to be bloated in my midsection most of the time. My lower stomach was puffy most of the time. I'm a thin person, and thought this was weight gain due to menopause & quitting smoking. Ond day I took 2 activated charcoal capsules for gas, and I ended up spending a lot of time in the bathroom that day. By that evening, I realized that my stomach was flat again! I figured that the charcoal had detoxified my system!! I will continue to take the charcoal once or twice weekly now. I am extremely happy with the results!!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 04/16/2008: Christine from Virginia Beach, VA writes: "Liquid Chlorophyll and activated charcoal will go a long way to getting rid of body odor when used internally. Unfortunately, both of them can cause stains. So be sure to use them in an empty sink to avoid staining your counter or clothing.
Although you have to be careful with it to avoid making a mess, activated charcoal is best used in bulk. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons to a pint of water, and sip through a straw. Be sure to rinse out your mouth with peroxide afterward and rinse your teeth to get the charcoal off.
Activated charcoal in bulk is made from coal or coconut shells. Obviously, you want the coconut shell-made activated charcoal. You can buy it in bulk online in 40-50 pound lots, and split the cost with your friends.
Activated charcoal is a universal detoxifier and is used in emergency rooms for that purpose. Given that there are thousands and thousands of chemicals in our food, water, and air, and we have no idea how they interact with each other, it behooves all of us to take universal detoxifiers like large doses of Vitamin C or activated charcoal. Liquid Chlorophyll is also a detoxifier."
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7 YEA
1 WARNING!
1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 01/25/2009: shinjiki writes: "I wish to purchase bulk activated charcoal powder. Please respond. thank you."
07/16/2009: Jeremiah from San Diego, California replies: "Call your local water agency. If they use it as part of their water treatment process, then they can tell you where they get theirs."
08/30/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA replies: "The water treatment facility might be using petroleum based charcoal, though. It might be a better idea to get the kind labeled for medicinal use."
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[YEA] 12/18/2008: Bill from Anchorage, Alaska writes: "Save on charcoal: I save money on charcoal by purchasing activated charcoal for fish tanks. I then run it though my coffee grinder. The longer it is in the running grinder, the smaller the particles increasing the surface area."
08/13/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin replies: "You are brilliant."
08/30/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA replies: "Activated charcoal used for fish tanks is probably petroleum based, rather than "plant" based. It might be a better idea to use medical grade charcoal."
05/02/2010: Cybz from Op, Ks replies: "Why would anyone make petroleum based charcoal to put in a fish tank? Really think about it. How toxic for aquatic life."
05/10/2010: Mark from Las Vegas, Nv replies: "Well it could be because in my opinion almost everything they make for your fish tank is designed to KILL YOUR FISH so that you have to buy new ones.
Have you ever seen how hard it is to cycle a new fish tank without the fish dying?
Did you know most of what they sell you to cycle your tank does not work and it is total garbage.
Have you ever tested the magnetic field coming off of the filtration system going in to the tank?
2 Miligauss is considered safe for a human, my fish tank had 20 milligauss going into it no wonder my fish got a tumor and died.
So no it would not surprise me that the charcoal would also be toxic also.
Don't take the risk and be cheap spend the extra money and by the quality Activated Charcoal made from coconut shells.
PS: The only thing that will cycle a tank fast is Biospira and it's in the refrigerated section at quality fish stores."
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[YEA] 11/14/2008: Susan from Dania, FL U.S. writes: "i have a skin allergy,that a dermatologist identified as being eczema, It appears between my knee and ankle on my left leg. over the past 40 years it started about the size of a quarter and for the past 10 or 15 years had grown to cover and area of 4in.by 4 in..... I started taking the charcoal capsules twice a day, each capsule aprox 280 milligrams..the lesion has shrunk to about the size of a quarter.. no more itching and burning etc, also whenever i feel an sinus allergy attack i take the charcoal..i reduce the amount that i take when the synmtoms reduce.. can one build up immunity, does anyone know ,or toxicity???"
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10/15/2008: Renee from Spring, Texas writes: "Activated Charcoal can be found at most "natural / health food stores". It does not have to only be purchased through your local pharmacy."
03/18/2010: Edward from San Juan, Pr replies: "Renee from Spring, Texas you are right. Walgreens has it for $19.99 and GNC has it for $10.49 (260mg capsules/100) ... $8.39 with Gold Card purchase."
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09/23/2008: Anonymous from Takoma Park, FL writes: "I just purchased CharcoCaps. Has anyone used these? I'm writing b/c it says to take them at mealtimes. Everyone else on here says to take it 2 hours after eating. Is this brand of activated charcoal as effective as the others being discussed here? Thanks."
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[WARNING!] 06/25/2008: Jeanne from Atl, Georgia writes: "Please be careful if you try activated charcoal! I was getting stomach pain 20 minutes after every meal. I finally figured out that my stomach pain started after I took activated charcoal (heaping tablespoon for 2 days in a row - not a lot!). I located the pain in my stomach, found a little lump in the colon, and then used my fist to move the lump to the left. A day later my husband took over, found the lump,(which had moved slightly) and did acupressure for about 2 minutes on the spot-- ohhh yes, it hurt. But within minutes I had to run to the bathroom and the rest is history. No more stomach pain. So please be careful with the charcoal, especially if you have a sensitive stomach! I think that people's stomach aches can be often be an impacted colon. The same thing has happened to me before after eating bread and another time, after drinking psyllium without enough water!
If you press on your stomach and have a painful spot that moves slowly from one day to the next, you may have clogged your colon/intestines. Tons of water helps, but acupressure massage is best to move the obstruction to your bowels and out. One last note is that I was having normal bowel movements even while my colon was impacted, so don't rely on that (constipation or elimination) to judge, but more on the location of pain and whether or not a little lump exists."
08/13/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin replies: "Maybe drinking more water with the charcoal would help?"
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[YEA] 06/15/2008: Jennie from Copenhagen, Denmark writes: "I had been losing weight really quickly after starting an exercise program. I wanted to make sure that any old toxins that had been stored in my fat didn't start circulating in my body, so I took 1 tablet of activated charcoal, 3 times a day (remembering to wait 2 hours before/after eating), for a week. I didn't exactly feel a difference, but I SAW one. I looked five years younger (am only 30, so that's a lot for me)! I also highly recommend adding 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder to 1 tablespoon of facial mask. It is a mini-facelift!"
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[YEA] 02/13/2008: Lauren from Brooklyn, NY writes: "I had a miscarriage and inflamation developed in my uterus as a result. I was unable to stand or walk for mor than 10 minutes. The pain in my lower back and pelvic area was excrutiating. I used 1 tbs of charcoal in a glass of warm water every morining and night for 10 days. The inflamation and the pain were gone by the end of the program."
04/18/2009: Roksanda Kosmajac from New York, N.Y. replies: "That comment by Lauren from Brooklyn, is very interesting, and I think she is right about taking Charcoal in warm water!"
08/13/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA replies: "Imagine sticking your head into a bucket of ice water. Not good. Now imagine pouring ice water into the inside of your body. Can't be good either. Warm water sounds better."
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[YEA] 08/22/2007: GT from Vero Beach, Florida writes: "Charcoal pills were used for severe food poisoning. Eating chicken that has been left out in the heat of the blazing sun from 4am to dinner time, no refrigeration. Many around me got sick with severe bowel problems. I took charcoal pills, the loose bowels stoped within 10 min."
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[YEA] 06/21/2007: Norman from Edmonton, Canada writes: "Our family has used activated charcoal tablets as a quick remedy for digestive problems for years. In Asia one can buy them for pennies, and with the spicy foods there and possible diaheria at times they are a life saver. Recently I moved back to Canada and feel like I am in a 3rd world country. Anything connected with health and well being is either unavailable or overpriced. How sad that we can not even buy a harmless product that can save ones life when an accidental poisoing occurs. You will only realize how much Canada has peddled backwards in the past 10 years when you visit other countries."
08/13/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA replies: "Thank you God for the Internet. Can you ship things like that into Canada?"
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[YEA] 11/28/2005: Christine from Lancaster, CA writes: "I have been using charcoal for approx 14 yrs. In our home it has been used for nausea/vomiting; diarrhea; upset stomach; belching; heart burn; gas; indigestion; poultices over painful areas on diffent parts of the body; pasty poultice over insect bites, over the stomach in a poultice for fevers. As a nurse, I highly recommend it to all."
11/21/2009: Maeryn from Calgary, Ab replies: "A friend of mine has terrible (TERRIBLE) acne all across his face, neck, shoulders, and back. Its not worms. He cannot take any sort of med because it will mess up the growth plates where his arm was operated on a few years ago. I am currently in the process of compiling a treatment for him based on organic and alternative medicines (cleansing him from the inside out. ) As a nurse, do you have any advice for a facial / skin mask? (I'm getting into nutritional therapy, so this stuff fascinates me)"
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1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 08/19/2009: Kelly from Mt. Healthy, Ohio writes: "I have been considering using activated charcoal for multiple conditions, but i'm not sure if it causes constipation, that's the last thing I need right now. any advise and experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!"
06/06/2010: Tina from Toledo, Ohio, Usa replies: "I take a heaping tablespoon of activated charcoal in 2 cups of water and have lots of fiber-foods(vegetable!)during the day as well as lots of water. I don't have a problem with constipation as long as I drink sufficiently and eat fiber-foods."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 01/16/2006: Odilon from Palm Coast, FL writes: "Raw Activated Charcoal, works like a dream for diarrhea, in hours not days."
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3 YEA
[YEA] 11/06/2008: Mitsue from Wishart, Queensland Australia writes: "One late afternoon I bought Sushi with raw salmon in it, it must have been sitting there all day, after eating it I had very bad case of vomiting and diarrhea for almost 3 weeks. I remembered that charcoal helps with the poison, and I had charcoal my mother sent me for purifying water. I just was so desperate I just cracked a small piece and ate it. Surprising as it is, my vomiting and diarrhea stopped almost immediately. I should have taken it sooner.. So I have medicated charcoal tablet in my medicine cupboard now and when I had vomiting the other I took one straight away and I was fine!!"
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[YEA] Shawna from Mountlake Terrace, WA writes: "I have had multiple issues with food poisoning all throughout my life. I had a Naturalpath tell me once to take 3-4 charcoal pills two times a day at the onset of pain and queasyness, then continue the same for 3 days afterwards. You can purchase charcoal pills from any health food store or in some local corner drug stores. I have used this remedy for about 15 yrs now and it's ALWAYS worked. My husband just had it and he took the pills and he felt better right away and was able to keep down food and water."
[YEA] 06/30/2008: Al from Opelousas, USA replies: "I too had food poisoning so bad that I was sent to the emergency room, during which time, I was given 2 liters of Sodium Chloride(??). Of course the hospital wants you to pass (diahrrea) the poison, so nothing was administered. I sent a relative to the drug store for Activate Charcoal capsules and followed the recommended dosage; 1gm/hour...within 6-7 hours I could eat small amounts and not experience nauseau or diahrrea(sp?)You should keep a bottle in the refrigerator (safely)."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 01/18/2006: Adrian from Sydney, Australia writes: "When my friends and i used to drink a lot in our early twenties, to avoid hangovers we would eat charcoal after having drank a lot of alcohol. Must be taken with food to work properly. The charcoal would absorb the toxins (i suppose colours and preservatives in the scotch, bourbon etc) and we would not get the slightest hangover!"
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[YEA] 01/02/2006: Shane from Trail, BC, Canada writes: "I was told that if you want to prevent the unpleasant effects of a hangover you can take an activated charcoal capsule with each alcoholic beverage which will absorb the harmful elements in the alcohol which cause the hangover."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 08/04/2008: Annabell from Bakersfield, California writes: "Irritable Bowel Syndrome: I am 33 years old female with a sensitive stomach..Almost everything I consume always result in heavy gas and bloating. A friend recommended to take Charcoal pills..I have tried almost every prescription medications there is and was excited that charcoal is an old asian alternative medications. I take 1-2 capsule 1-2hours prior to eating..I make sure to have water intake at least 8 glasses a day. Within 1wk I felt immediate results, less bloating, irrability and back to having a regular bowel movement.
Happy stomach."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 09/29/2006: Elizabeth from Woodbury, TN writes: "We've used activated charcoal many times in our family and friends for the brown recluse spider bite. Even a couple of doctors here were amazed at what it did! We would make up a paste and change the first day about every 2 hours and then the next day just a few times and would keep watching it. Usually the bite was shrunk and just a little scab after a few days. Usually we would also drink some so that we would have any poison from the bite eliminated from our system."
[YEA] 07/12/2008: Sandy from In the sticks, Nevada replies: "A huge thank you to Elizabeth from Woodbury, TN, for posting the charcoal remedy for spider bites. I was sweeping webs off my house & must have been bitten, but didn't notice the bite until the next morning. It itched like a mosquito bite, but felt hot & was beginning to swell. Long story short, I went away on business and could not treat it until 36 hours later. It had swollen up terribly and had been weeping off and on -- it was also very hot. When I got home,I treated it with activated charcoal mixed with colloidal silver as a paste applied to my arm, changing every 30 minutes or so. At bedtime, I covered it with a thick paste & then with a bandage. The next morning, the heat & the swelling were almost completely gone. I continued to apply fresh paste to the bite throughout the day & bandaged it again at night. The recovery from this bite was just short of miraculous -- I wish I had taken photos. Also, I did take several activated charcoal capsules each day along with the application of the paste. I never found out what bit me, although I suspect a hobo spider or brown recluse. Activated charcoal is my new favorite remedy! Thank you earthclinic for providing this information."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/30/2009: Anonymous from Denver, CO writes: "I had two mosquito bites that swelled to little eggs on my arm. I mixed a little charcoal with water and dabbed that on. The itch stopped immediately and I kept putting it on several times. The swelling went down as well.
My husband cut some tree branches and got three spider bites on the back of his knee. Two of them had already started seeping by the time he showed it to me and one especially looked pretty scary. We put some charcoal on mixed with water and then covered everything with bandaids. We changed this several times and after about three days one bite is gone and the other two look like they are healing nicely."
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