Ultimate Guide to Activated Charcoal: Benefits and Uses

Charcoal Side Effects

Posted by Jeanne (Atl, Georgia) on 06/25/2008
0 out of 5 stars

WARNING!

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.

Viruses, Charcoal and Cayenne

Posted by John Bayne (New Zealand) on 03/03/2008
★★★★★

Hello Deidre. My name is John Bayne and I have been interested in cayenne pepper ever since 1991 when I was discharged from Auckland Hospital, after my third and final episode, in about March 1991, of duodenal hemorrhages, after 8 days and 4 transfusions later, and still losing about a pint of blood a day in passing Melina stools, without any reason given, but I knew that it had to do with my refusal to have an operation (no operation no transfusions). The very day I arrived home, on a Sunday, wondering what I would do, a friend gave me two capsules of the hottest cayenne pepper that I have ever seen to date (they advertised them as African Bird Pepper) and I never have seen a Melina since. About six weeks later the surgeon, who had kept me waiting about an hour and a half to soften me up, nearly choked when he saw that my blood pressure was normal, and of course had no desire to know how I had overcome me slow bleeding to death that their cimetidine had been unable to stop. Charcoal is definitely prolife as is shown by the fact that it can take the hottest tincture or powder without any apparent diminishing in its power to kill flu viruses. Usually take only 20 minutes with a cayenne 150,000 or over, to get rid of headache symptoms 100% of the time over 12 years with quite a few people as we have spread the word.

I have been getting my powdered charcoal from within NZ, but considering that I now use the Internet I am looking for other sources in case this one dries up.

So you sell powdered charcoal and in 1KG lots, and if so how much, and what is the range of sizes. Is the charcoal, only the right kinds of wood, no non vegetarian products such as bones. I would think that the right kind of wood, from a tree, is what I am looking for, for consumption of course.

My main use if to take the sting out of the cayenne, tincture or powder, when dealing with flu, especially, it works every time (for the last 12 years since I discovered the use of charcoal with it). Just as important I am finding it exceedingly difficult to find sources for genuine full strength African Bird's eye pepper, in powder or tincture, as near to 300,000 British Thermal Units. Unlike Dr Richard Schultz, my preference in cayenne is for the Bird's Eye pepper over the Habanera.

Can you get hold of this pepper in a bulk like quantity or in industrial strength tincture (with the water removed without heat), and in a larger amounts than usual but not at a price that would cause me to mortgage my house. If so could you give me data on the amounts, hopefully strengths in BTU's if you can, and prices.

Much appreciated.

PS: For nearly 15 years I had a wonderful supply from a local herbalist who used to import this industrial strength dehydrated cayenne tincture, and I found that there is containers full of full strength Bird's Eye pepper for sale in internationally, @about US$70.000 a container load about $4.00/kilo and on the other end much weaker cayenne at anything up to $100/kilo on the consumer's level and I am looking to intercept this special cayenne, if I can before it goes exponential or gets watered down, and charged more for. We can save lives with this and certainly not with anything under 150,000 BTU's so I would much appreciate it if you can be of any assistance.

Infection

Posted by Lauren (Brooklyn, NY) on 02/13/2008
★★★★★

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.

Diarrhea

Posted by Odilon (Palm Coast, FL) on 01/16/2006
★★★★★

Raw Activated Charcoal, works like a dream for diarrhea, in hours not days.

Where to Buy

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 06/22/2015
★★★★★

For food poisoning and all sorts of other issues,

Here is where I get my activated charcoal -

http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/

I actually get two different types.

Hardwood Charcoal Powder is what I use for poultices. It is not quite so fine and "poofy" when I am mixing it up.

Coconut Shell Charcoal Powder is what I use for internal use. It is finer and less gritty when you mix it in water.

Both can be used internally and externally.

This company does sell charcoal tablets. They do have some fillers that I wish were not included, but sometimes a tablet is what is most convenient. (To lay against a sore tooth or for a toddler.) I have never had any trouble with them, though.

I have also bought charcoal capsules for convenience, which the only concern for some would be what is in the capsule itself. The only filling is the charcoal.

I have made some attempts to make my own charcoal tablets. They are really much more expensive than the powder. But so far my efforts have been futile! Perhaps I will try again. In my attempts though, I did find that charcoal adsorbs essential oils! I added some peppermint essential oil to my mix and when I cam back to my dry (but dreadfully crumbly) charcoal tablets, there was NO smell at all!

~Mama~

Diarrhea

Posted by Cameron (Brisbane, Qld, Australia) on 12/14/2011
★★★★★

Yes, works very fast. Mix some Activated Charcoal in some juice, about a Teaspoon, let it fall to the bottom before mixing and drinking because it floats and any vigorous mixing bfore it sinks will have it all over the place. Also works for stomach upsets, gas and vomiting. Vomiting may take up to 3 doses but it will work, be prepared as black Charcoal Vomit is awful if you miss the bag or toilet.

Food Poisoning

Posted by Al (Opelousas, USA) on 06/30/2008
★★★★★

I 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).

Viruses, Charcoal and Cayenne

Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA) on 08/13/2009

John!! God bless you!! You are so correct. How fortunate we are that all the darkness in the universe cannot extinguish the light of a single flame. Capitalism may have temporarily quashed the benefits of Bird's Eye pepper for the majority of mankind, but God offered us a way, through you, to healing. Amazing. In our search for the Truth, in our attempts at achieving a perfect relationship with Jesus, it is soooo important to acknowledge our own weakness, to admit our own faults and our own inability to save ourselves. When the perfect man, Jesus, was crucified, it was proven that the old system of laws failed, else a perfect man could not have been condemned to death. When we truly put Him first, we naturally seek for the good of ALL mankind, and when that happens we will not be troubled by the fear of appearing foolish or making mistakes. Remember, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God."

Also, in my search for the truth, I notice there is some debate online as to whether African Bird's Eye peppers actually exist. Have you considered growing them for your own use, or to give away/sell in health food stores?

Food Poisoning

Posted by Shawna (Mountlake Terrace, WA)
★★★★★

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.

Spider Bites and Boils

Posted by David (Austin, Tx) on 06/04/2016
★★★★★

I have successfully treated myself and others with activated charcoal. Quickly pulls out toxins and poisons from spider bites and boils. I mix it with high quality clay mask to make a paste which is applied directly to the affected area. Continue to wash off and re apply every few hours until healed. Apply generously and be sure to cover well beyond any swelling or redness. Generally a three inch diameter should be sufficient.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Cheri (Texas) on 09/13/2013
★★★★★

I have been using activated charcoal for a few years and I always by mine on Ebay. You can get any size in powder form. My dog likes to eat Deer droppings (yuck) and it makes her sick, but when I see her licking her lips after being outside I know, if I get the charcoal in her she won't be sick, I use an empty syringe by sticking it in the side of her mouth between the teeth. I have used it for the flu and it stopped the vomiting.

Charcoal Side Effects

Posted by Toourlady89 (Ca, Usa) on 08/28/2013

Hi, taking activated charcoal on a regular basis as I understand is not really a good idea. It is used for certain occasions for absorption of bad bacteria from the stomach such as: in food poisoning, abdominal distention with gas, or absorption of excess medication in cases of over dose. It could absorb large amounts of liquid from the stomach and thereby cause constipation. There are many other uses of charcoal but Use it as needed only. Not for regular daily use. You would wanna take it separately from your meds or vitamins as it would also absorb some of those. For constipation, hydration is most important, Milk of Magnesia could help followed by 6-8 glasses of water for the day. Magnesium Oxide daily would help prevent constipation in the future.

Charcoal Side Effects

Posted by Mercedes (Wilkes Barre, Pa/usa) on 05/25/2011
0 out of 5 stars

I took natures way activated charcoal for gas pains it caused worse pains then I started I also feel a lump in my stomach it has been 6 days and I still cannot have a bm. I also went to the hospital for this pain. They couldnt do anything for me because I took exlax which made me go but not the hard lump above belly button. The exlax made me dehydrated so they sent me home. I wouldn't recomend this to my worst enemy. So to all who read this before taking it please don't take it.

Food Poisoning

Posted by Leah (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 04/11/2011
★★★★★

Oh yes, charcoal is an incredibly effective solution for food poisoning!

Spider Bites, Mosquito Bites

Posted by Anonymous (Denver, CO) on 07/30/2009
★★★★★

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.

Viruses, Charcoal and Cayenne

Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 09/02/2017

See if you can find "capsicum annuum, " the scientific name.

Heavy Metal Detoxing

Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 11/11/2021
★★★★★

Dear Lauren,

I don't see any reason not to use both charcoal and cilantro.

When I am using charcoal I try to use it alone because I wouldn't want it to bind with anything in the other supplements I am using. So, just take charcoal a couple of hours after taking the cilantro.

Charcoal should be taken with a glass of water to avoid any risk of constipation. It should not be taken along with any prescriptions or supplements.

I hope the combo is helpful to you!

~Mama to Many~

Activated Charcoal for Dogs

Posted by Steve (Nevada) on 11/18/2015
★★★★★

I've had good success with starwest activated charcoal. They should have 1lb bulk bags. Not sure about the VIP labs that sell this.

Kidney Dialysis

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 09/26/2013

Anon,

I realized I suggested plenty of water for your wife and you had said she was on a fluid restricted diet. I had thought you meant she was restricted about types of fluid and not quantity. So, scratch that recommendation as I realize you mean quantity.

If she is allowed to have fats, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is an excellent fat to have. It is very good for the body and nutritious. If apples and berries are okay for her, organic apples are an excellent food (The old adage, An apple a day keeps the doctor away really does have some truth in it! ) and berries are antioxidant.

~Mama to Many~

Tooth and Mouth Care

Posted by Jenlyn (Colo Springs, Co) on 02/28/2010
★★★★☆

Had severe tooth pain. Had charcoal on hand and tried a paste with water and 4 broken capsules. The pain when I applied the guaze definitely lessened. I still plan on seeing a dentist, but it is a Sunday and at least it is temporary relief.

Activated Charcoal and Meds

Posted by Heartrhythms (Santa Fe, Nm) on 02/14/2010
★★★★★

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).

Charcoal Side Effects

Posted by Tina (Toledo, Ohio, Usa) on 06/06/2010

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.

Upset Stomachs

Posted by Helen (Houston, Texas) on 05/16/2009
★★★★★

I just had my gallbaldder removed and I have been so sick and can't sleep.....miserable....I got some charcoal tablets and now feel alot better and can sleep......I recommend this for upset stomachs instead of baking soda and other remedies at the pharmacy....charcoal works! Helen D.