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You are here: Home / Fundamentals / Why We Keep Activated Charcoal

by Stacy  32 Comments

Why We Keep Activated Charcoal

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.

Activated Charcoal Uses

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

Activated Charcoal Uses

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.

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About Stacy

Stacy is a Homemaking and Business Mom Mentor, the author of two cookbooks, creator of multiple e-courses, seasoned life coach, and comedian extraordinaire. Her first priority is her husband and her children - family first. She presses on each day because her calling is to teach, train, and mentor other ladies to have their dreams. She believes if it’s not easy, you won’t do it – because she’s lived it. She’ll bring YOU the awesome so that you can get your home back into control and watch your business soar. For tips and easy strategies, you can follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

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Comments

  1. MegsH says

    June 20, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    As 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!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      June 25, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  2. The Well-Rounded Mama says

    December 26, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Charcoal 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.

    Reply
  3. Ricki says

    October 26, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    I 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.

    Reply
  4. Jillian @ Hi! It's Jilly says

    October 24, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Facinating! I never would have thought of that! Huh!

    Reply
  5. Danielle says

    October 18, 2013 at 8:55 am

    Another question….where can i find this in capsules?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 18, 2013 at 4:36 pm

      Check Vitacost.com.

      Reply
  6. Danielle says

    October 18, 2013 at 8:53 am

    I 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!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 18, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Yep! A reader told me to mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in yogurt and feed it to the child every couple hours.

      Reply
  7. Emiko says

    October 16, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    It 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.

    Reply
  8. Lexie says

    October 15, 2013 at 11:31 am

    I’ve been wanting to get some of this for a long while now!

    Reply
  9. bunkie says

    October 15, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Sounds like a good thing to have on hand! Bunkie.

    Reply
  10. Dawn says

    October 14, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    I 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.

    Reply
  11. Martha says

    October 14, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Yes I also like to have some on hand for food poisoning and other poisoning emergencies.

    Reply
  12. Kera Williams says

    October 14, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    I’ve NEVER heard of it! Wish I had recently… Hubby and I both got stung by some sort of flying something the other day.

    Reply
  13. Annie says

    October 14, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    I 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.

    Reply
  14. Tara H says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    I 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.?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 14, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      I have read the same!

      Reply
  15. Alice Birchfield says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    I want to try brushing my teeth with it. It is said to really whiten your teeth.

    Reply
  16. FayleeJames says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    Forgot to ask,,,How’s the chickens doing?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 14, 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Clucky. 🙂

      Reply
  17. FayleeJames says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    I’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.

    Reply
  18. amanda l says

    October 14, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Activated charcoal is part of our extensive food allergy anaphylaxis plan from our allergist. I’m going to have to check out this powdered version!

    Reply
  19. Julieanne M says

    October 14, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    You can use it to brush your teeth with it and naturally whiten them!

    Reply
  20. Barbara Mullally says

    October 14, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Is 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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 14, 2013 at 2:13 pm

      I’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.

      Reply
  21. Susan Adams says

    October 14, 2013 at 8:46 am

    Yep, 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!

    Reply
  22. Casey says

    October 14, 2013 at 8:37 am

    It’s an excellent tooth whitener as well!

    Reply
  23. Nicholle C. says

    October 14, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Just curious if you know what the shelf life of the activated charcoal is?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 14, 2013 at 2:13 pm

      I have no idea – I would think a very long time.

      Reply
  24. Grace Cuff says

    October 14, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Use 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.

    Reply
  25. Kay DeFreese says

    October 14, 2013 at 7:26 am

    I 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.

    Reply


Hello! I’m Stacy!

I believe God created you to be the hero of your home. You CAN manage your home instead of it managing you. That’s why I empower women with simple solutions for their homemaking needs – because if it’s not easy, you won’t do it. {Read More…}

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