Activated Charcoal

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Activated Charcoal
« on: May 10, 2006, 02:35:45 PM » by ForeverGirl

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I didn't know you could use charcoal for allergic reactions! Thank you! I don't like using Benadryl....

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I've seen it at our health food store- It is called activated charcoal.
Rebekah, my son broke out in hives about a week ago and we are only guessing on why, we still aren't 100% sure. would that have been something you would have treated with charcoal??
Danna

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I thought charcoal was what they used in the ER for drug overdose I thought it made you throw up

As far as using charcoal to combat allergies - I'd have to say it would probably only work for FOOD allergies - and only when the food is still in the stomach - preferably as soon as possible. It should not be used to make it possible to eat allergenic food - but only as an emergency response to having an allergic reaction such as vomiting, swelling, etc. It is commonly used to combat poisoning.

My son has an allergy to walnuts and cashews. Within six hours of eating a tiny piece of walnut he begins to vomit repeatedly for hours. He is now old enough to know which nuts he should say "no" too when with his relatives who might be forgetful. When he was little, he would drink the "dragon juice" almost desperately to avoid getting sick. It worked within minutes.

Charcoal can also be used topically as a poultice for poisons like snake bite, spider bites, etc... Again, use as soon as possible after infection for the best results.

From http://www.wholehealthmd.com

Poison control centers often recommend activated charcoal to treat accidental poisonings, making it a useful supplement to keep in the home. Activated charcoal is made from organic materials such as wood pulp and then treated to further enhance its absorptive powers. Once ingested, it binds with certain chemicals in the digestive tract, preventing them from being absorbed into your system and causing harm.

Activated charcoal has also been used--in far smaller doses than are recommended for poisoning--to treat digestive complaints such as intestinal gas (flatulence), diarrhea, and stomach ulcer pain. There is good evidence to support some of these uses. A small study published in 1986, for example, showed that people who took activated charcoal experienced less gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort after eating than they did when they took a Placebo or an over-the-counter flatulence medication.

Some nutritionally oriented doctors contend that charcoal's absorption abilities can help prevent fats from entering the bloodstream, thus lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. There are also claims that activated charcoal can rid the body of environmental toxins. To date, there's little evidence that charcoal is effective or safe for these uses, however.

Activated charcoal comes in pill and powder form. If you opt for the powder, mix it with a tall glass of water and drink it through a straw to avoid staining your teeth. (If your tongue and teeth are blackened by the charcoal, quickly brush your teeth and rinse; it should come right off.) Avoid taking activated charcoal with milk or other dairy products; they may lessen its effectiveness.

For flatulence, mix 2 tablespoons activated charcoal powder into large glass of water, and drink through a straw 30 minutes before a meal. Or you can take a 500 mg capsule of activated charcoal after meals and every two hours as needed. Take care not to ingest more than 4,000 mg in any 24-hour period.

General Interaction

Because activated charcoal can interfere with the absorption or metabolism of various nutrients and medications, take it at least two hours after (or before) other products.
Cautions

For suspected poisoning, consult a poison control center expert before taking activated charcoal. Don't use activated charcoal at the same time as syrup of ipecac, another common home remedy for poisoning. Charcoal can be used after ipecac has done its job, which is to induce vomiting.
When taken in large doses, activated charcoal can cause black stools, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your doctor if you have any questions.
Avoid activated charcoal if you have any type of bowel obstruction.

Ailments   Dosage
Diarrhea
2-3 tbsp. powder mixed with a tall glass of cool water; use after every loose stool and drink with a straw to prevent staining teeth. OR 520 mg in capsule form every 30-60 minutes, as needed.
Flatulence
2 tbsp. powder mixed into large glass of water 30 minutes before a meal. Sip through a straw to avoid staining your teeth. Alternatively, 500 mg in capsule form when needed. Limit preventive use to no more than 4,000 mg a day.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2006, 08:44:39 AM » by jessyru

Has anyone ever used activated charcoal to stop a severe anaphylactic reaction? I am allergic to pine nuts and within about 3 or 4 hours circulation to my extremities begins to stop, my lungs constrict, and everything becomes hazy--major system shutdown. Benadryl and Epinephrin have stopped the reaction altogether before. Maybe if I eat them again I could pretreat myself with Benadryl and Activated Charcoal, bring myself the ER and see if it stops the reaction??

Just in case you're allergic to pine nuts too here's what they can be found in Grin

stuffed chicken that your grandmother makes, Smart Ones dinner entrees, spaghetti sauce on a college campus (adds protein), and finger sandwiches at a cousin's baby shower.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2007, 04:33:40 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

Where is the best place to get activated charcoal? They sell packages at Wal Mart with the other medicines but they are about $5 for not that much. I heard once in the fish supplies Huh

but are all kinds equal?

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2007, 04:40:53 PM » by daisey

I don't know about Charcoal for allergies. I agree with beeyoutifulgirl~~it is mostly for poison etc. I do have major success using it when we get stomach flu symptoms. My children hate it but it stops diarrhea and vomiting very quickly if you use it right away and after each and every episode of diarrhea and vomiting.
We also use it as poultice for bites, stings and even infected sores. I get mine at a food co-op.
"Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side."
Daisey

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2007, 03:01:45 PM » by chopchop

Quote from: jessyru on October 18, 2006, 08:44:39 AM

stuffed chicken that your grandmother makes, Smart Ones dinner entrees, spaghetti sauce on a college campus (adds protein), and finger sandwiches at a cousin's baby shower.

IMO, you should check out this web site:
http://www.charcoalremedies.com/index.htm
It has a lot of very interesting facts, and check out some of the stories.
I found this site helpful also
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/activated_charcoal/article_em.htm
I think it would be worth a try to do as you said, treat it while heading for the ER and if it doesn't work then you are sitting in the parking lot at the right place Grin

I was successfully treated with activated charcoal for a very severe allergic reaction to a malaria drug. The only other option would have been blood transfusion Shocked

So glad it worked for me!!!!! Any other stories?

« Last Edit: January 30, 2007, 03:16:52 PM by chopchop »
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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2007, 11:20:56 PM » by Melie

My oldest son is now taking his turn with the stomach flu. it has cycled through our family and now only my little girl is left. I have activated Charcoal. i was wondering if it would be okay to give my 5 year old? If so, how much? I have the pills. I would let it take it's course but we are moving to our new home tomorrow and I feel awful that I will not be able to be taking care of him. My mom will be watching him. She is also sick with a bad cold and I want her to have as little to do as possible.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2007, 08:26:37 AM » by MaryAnn

Quote from: jessyru on October 18, 2006, 08:44:39 AM

Benadryl and Epinephrin have stopped the reaction altogether before. Maybe if I eat them again I could pretreat myself with Benadryl and Activated Charcoal, bring myself the ER and see if it stops the reaction?

would the charcoal stop the benadryl from being effective? i think it would. that is also why you should not take charcoal too often for no reason, they told me in the ER. they said it will keep you from getting any of the nutrients in your food. I have not researched this.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2007, 01:52:30 PM » by daisey

It is precisely because of charcoal's strong affinity to chemicals foreign to the body's natural economy, that it is advised to wait 2 hours before taking charcoal if someone is taking either prescription drugs or nutritional supplements. If for whatever reason there is concern about compromising one's nutrient uptake, simply give oneself a window of 2 hours before and 2 hours after eating before taking charcoal. But, in reality there is far more concern with drinking too much water than taking too much charcoal. Charcoal's very nature does not lend itself to indulgence.

Hope this helps.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2007, 12:12:44 AM » by Grace

My family has always taken charcoal capsules for an upset stomach or when we have the flu or stomach virus. Can you take charcoal when you are PG? What is the best way to get it down 3 or 4 year olds? And how much? My DH just is getting over something, and now me and 2 DD'd have it! We are quite miserable!!!

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2007, 11:38:56 AM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: Grace on December 13, 2007, 12:12:44 AM

I've taken charcoal while I am pregnant. I don't see any reason that you couldn't. As far as getting it down a lttle one, you could try putting it in some juice. Mine won't take it that way. So I usually just put it in some water and use a medicine dropper to get it in them.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2008, 03:36:56 PM » by WellTellMommy

What are more external uses of charcoal, open wounds?
Would activated charcoal and bentinite clay be equivilant or not ?

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2008, 10:16:51 PM » by DHW

Charcoal can tatoo broken skin.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2008, 03:05:43 PM » by WellTellMommy

Would activated charcoal and bentinite clay be equivilant or not ?

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2008, 05:02:27 PM » by daisey

I am not positive about the properties of these but I have always had better results with the activated charcoal. The Bentonite seems milder to me. HTH

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2009, 04:52:16 AM » by abbilynn

Does anyone know what a good daily dose for children would be? As in, half teaspoon or 1/4 tsp, etc.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2009, 08:48:19 AM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: abbilynn on October 07, 2009, 04:52:16 AM

Does anyone know what a good daily dose for children would be? As in, half teaspoon or 1/4 tsp, etc.

I've never used charcoal daily. I just give mine a capsule as needed. Here's a link to BHS's Cleanse Kit. The dosage for the cleanse is 1/2 tsp (adult), but then it's mixed with other things, so maybe that won't help you. :/

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/HCCK?id=DGoUwTHa

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2009, 09:56:34 AM » by abbilynn

Quote from: ndmomof6 on October 07, 2009, 08:48:19 AM

Quote from: abbilynn on October 07, 2009, 04:52:16 AM

Does anyone know what a good daily dose for children would be? As in, half teaspoon or 1/4 tsp, etc.

thanks, that gives me an estimate of how much. maybe 1/4 tsp for kids? "more than alive" had a ton of info on it, and said you can't overdose on it. but not taking enough will render it useless. i want to give it to my oldest bc he is having yeast issues again. it will help absorb the toxic junk from the yeast, and help with die off symptoms. the website said to mix it with water and drink it through a straw so that it won't stain your teeth. he won't swallow a capsule (yet! Wink

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #17 on: October 07, 2009, 10:32:44 AM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: abbilynn on October 07, 2009, 09:56:34 AM

Quote from: ndmomof6 on October 07, 2009, 08:48:19 AM

Quote from: abbilynn on October 07, 2009, 04:52:16 AM

Does anyone know what a good daily dose for children would be? As in, half teaspoon or 1/4 tsp, etc.

Oh, and I always give mine before bed. That way I know it's not interfering with anything else. Just make sure to drink a big glass of water with it.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #18 on: October 07, 2009, 10:33:06 AM » by floydian

I think it can make you constipated. When I used it, I was told to make sure I drank a ton of liquid.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #19 on: October 07, 2009, 11:17:29 AM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: floydian on October 07, 2009, 10:33:06 AM

I think it can make you constipated. When I used it, I was told to make sure I drank a ton of liquid.

Yes it can. You need to drink lots of liquids with charcoal to help flush out the toxins.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #20 on: October 07, 2009, 01:58:16 PM » by daisey

My book Charcoal by Agatha Thrash and Calvin Thrash, MD's says that Charcoal should not be taken regularly over a long period of time unless a serious long term problem exists...........yeast probably qualifies for that. The book recommends nothing less than a tablespoon even for children. If they have had poison it recommends even higher doses. I don't know how old your son it but I have given 1 tsp to a 5 year old with no problems. Just for your information, the book says that 1 heaping tbsp of charcoal powder contains about 5 grams of charcoal.
I have never researched Bentonite Clay to compare the two but in my experience it seems to be more mild so taking over a long period of time wouldn't seem to be as much of a problem. Just my opinion though.

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Re: Activated Charcoal
« Reply #21 on: December 31, 2009, 09:28:37 AM » by healthyinOhio