I’m going to keep this post pretty short and sweet. Mainly because I’m not a doctor and I hate having to write all those disclaimers to this effect:
Please note: I am not a doctor and will never be one. I only went to college for 4 years and majored in Youth Ministry. All opinions are my own and I cannot tell you how to safely wipe your nose. If you must wipe your nose or use herbs, please consult a doctor first, who went to school for a lot longer than me and really knows his stuff. Do not take medical advice from a stay-at-home youth ministry major who uses hankies instead of disposable tissues. Make sure to cough into your elbow pit and look both ways before crossing the street – but ask a doctor first.
Recently we decided to add activated charcoal to our healthy medicine cabinet. I like having healthy medical options on hand – hence the reason for my Home Remedies Notebook. Why did we add it? Well, because I like being prepared. Mainly, activated charcoal is to keep on hand for an accidental poisoning or other stomach maladies. While I make most of our cleaners, there is always the possibility that SOMETHING could happen. And if you’re not prepared, it will. Murphy’s Law of Big Headedness.
Basically, activated charcoal (NOT charcoal from your wood ashes), is an ADsorber. It adsorbs toxins in your system and carries them out with it. If someone ingests a poison, they can vomit and get rid of about 30% of it and then use the activated charcoal (ingested) to help get rid of the other 70% remaining if taken within 30 minutes of poisoning.
The best way to take it (from what I read) is to mix with water and drink with a straw. For dosage amounts, see this chart from the Mayo Clinic. (Note – some say you can mix it with a sweet drink so your kids would be more likely to take it.)
What poisons does it treat?
-Drug overdose
-Bee, wasp, or other poisonous stings
-Snake or spider bites
-Food Poisoning
-Flu or other sickness
My activated charcoal was sent to me by More Than Alive – but had they not sent it, I would have gotten some for my medicine cabinet anyway. I like being prepared, don’t you? That’s why we have it. Add your additional uses to the comments below. Then enter to win a pound for yourself!
In case of emergency, please call poison control. Thanks.
Note from the Mayo Clinic: (activated charcoal) should not be used in poisoning if corrosive agents such as alkalis (lye) and strong acids, iron, boric acid, lithium, petroleum products (e.g., cleaning fluid, coal oil, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner), or alcohols have been swallowed, since it will not prevent these poisons from being absorbed into the body.
MegsH says
June 20, 2014 at 3:10 pmAs a pharmacist, thank you thank you thank you for mentioning medical professionals’ discretion in serious situations. And using a reputable source for dosing is very awesome. This is something I will keep in my back pocket as well!
Stacy says
June 25, 2014 at 2:23 pm🙂
The Well-Rounded Mama says
December 26, 2013 at 6:05 pmCharcoal is great for diarrhea as well as poisonings. My understanding is that it works by absorbing the excess fluid in the intestines. Works as well or better than most anti-diarrheal meds. In powder or tablet form, it’s a mess, but in capsules there’s no mess at all. You can buy them at most drug stores or big box stores in the pharmacy area.
I had never heard of this growing up, but my husband’s family (from Europe) promoted this for tummy issues. I was hesitant to try it but now I’m a convert. Low-tech but effective.
Ricki says
October 26, 2013 at 1:22 pmI have to tell you that I really enjoyed this post, and will definitely be looking into getting some Activated Charcoal for my medicine cabinet. Thank you so much for sharing.
I have to also tell you that I am absolutely positively in love with your disclaimer and may have to create something like that for myself.
Sharing as I think this subject (the activated charcoal, not the disclaimer) is one that more people should be aware of.
Thanks for the great information, and the inspiration.
Jillian @ Hi! It's Jilly says
October 24, 2013 at 10:58 amFacinating! I never would have thought of that! Huh!
Danielle says
October 18, 2013 at 8:55 amAnother question….where can i find this in capsules?
Stacy says
October 18, 2013 at 4:36 pmCheck Vitacost.com.
Danielle says
October 18, 2013 at 8:53 amI have never heard of this! Are you saying that it may actually be used after the stomach flu begins for someone…and it will greatly decrease it’s length? I am so excited to have this on hand…and to have my hubby try it for his IBS type symptoms!
Stacy says
October 18, 2013 at 4:37 pmYep! A reader told me to mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in yogurt and feed it to the child every couple hours.
Emiko says
October 16, 2013 at 9:47 pmIt is really good for digestional upsets. I’ve never seen it in the powdered form- but I have kept it in capsule form for a long while. If you have diarrhea- this will stop it in no time at all. My father used to eat burnt toast (as in totally burned) to get the same effect. The capsules have no taste and don’t stink up the house! I’m curious about the powder now…especially the teeth whitening aspect.
Lexie says
October 15, 2013 at 11:31 amI’ve been wanting to get some of this for a long while now!
bunkie says
October 15, 2013 at 9:56 amSounds like a good thing to have on hand! Bunkie.
Dawn says
October 14, 2013 at 7:48 pmI Also Have Heard That It
Helps Whiten Teeth And Helps Rid Your Mouth Of Plague. I Would Like To Try It. I’ve Also Heard To Keep Some Charcoal In A Jar Of Water(I Don’t Remember The Ratio) The Charcoal Will Settle To The Bottom And You Just Pour Some Off The Top. Then It’s Ready When You Need it.
Martha says
October 14, 2013 at 6:05 pmYes I also like to have some on hand for food poisoning and other poisoning emergencies.
Kera Williams says
October 14, 2013 at 5:31 pmI’ve NEVER heard of it! Wish I had recently… Hubby and I both got stung by some sort of flying something the other day.
Annie says
October 14, 2013 at 4:07 pmI use it for constipation. I also make a poultice to draw out infection; i.e. my husband had ingrown toenail and it worked bringing out the infection that had set in. I have read you can use it to whiten teeth as well, I’m gonna try this next.
Tara H says
October 14, 2013 at 1:37 pmI have a sensitive stomach…IBS type symptoms. I keep activated charcoal in capsule form. It works wonderfully for my tummy issues. I didn’t know until recently that it even came in powdered form. It would be great to have some on hand!
I read somewhere that it can be used to whiten teeth.?
Stacy says
October 14, 2013 at 2:11 pmI have read the same!
Alice Birchfield says
October 14, 2013 at 1:08 pmI want to try brushing my teeth with it. It is said to really whiten your teeth.
FayleeJames says
October 14, 2013 at 1:02 pmForgot to ask,,,How’s the chickens doing?
Stacy says
October 14, 2013 at 2:12 pmClucky. 🙂
FayleeJames says
October 14, 2013 at 1:01 pmI’m with you Stacy, I like being prepared. I have a “staying well” cabinet and a small tool chest for those small home repairs. You never know when you might have a screw come loose…lol.
amanda l says
October 14, 2013 at 12:11 pmActivated charcoal is part of our extensive food allergy anaphylaxis plan from our allergist. I’m going to have to check out this powdered version!
Julieanne M says
October 14, 2013 at 12:08 pmYou can use it to brush your teeth with it and naturally whiten them!
Barbara Mullally says
October 14, 2013 at 10:10 amIs there an advantage to mixing the loose activated charcoal? I have used the charcoal capsules for 30 years, but never mixed it. It seems like it would be a lot messier. Just wondering.
Stacy says
October 14, 2013 at 2:13 pmI’m not sure – I just have children and they wouldn’t be able to take a capsule. 🙂 Having the powder means you can just mix as needed.
Susan Adams says
October 14, 2013 at 8:46 amYep, been there. I had a UTI and was given some medicine, which I was allergic to, so I had set it on our dining room table until we disposed of it. Our two year old so got ahold of it and open the “child proof” cap. He had eaten about 4-5 when we caught him. This is why we were standing next to him cleaning dinner off of his 6 month old sister. We rushed him to the ER where they gave him charcoal. Now with my 11 month old who loves to climb I think investing in some would be a great idea!
Casey says
October 14, 2013 at 8:37 amIt’s an excellent tooth whitener as well!
Nicholle C. says
October 14, 2013 at 8:17 amJust curious if you know what the shelf life of the activated charcoal is?
Stacy says
October 14, 2013 at 2:13 pmI have no idea – I would think a very long time.
Grace Cuff says
October 14, 2013 at 7:52 amUse Activated Charcoal To DetoxiY your System. It Will “Grab” And Absorb Things From your Stomach. If You Have Diverticulitis Or Is It Diverticulosis, Oh Well, It Will Help Clean Out Those Pockets In Your Intestines.
Kay DeFreese says
October 14, 2013 at 7:26 amI have some in capsule form that I purchased to use in making eye cosmetics. I have yet to make the mascara with it but it works really well as an eyeliner.