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No medical kit should be without activated charcoal.
While Influenza, ”the
flu”, is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory
tract, and what is commonly called “Stomach Flu” is technically
not really the flu, but rather is, most times, gastroenteritis, which
is an acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach, I thought I would
share with you something that has helped me greatly over the years whenever
I have experienced flu-like symptoms such as when my stomach starts that
unusual gurgling sound that precedes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills,
and fever. It is especially helpful if you work with a lot of people
up close and personal as I do a lot. I have had the beginning of several
of these symptoms over the past few years and the very first thing I
do right away is get out my jar of activated charcoal powder. You may
laugh at this or find it repugnant because it sounds too simple or because
the powdery, but gritty, black particles make you think it is intolerable
or because it can be a little messy if you’re not careful, but,
believe me, activated charcoal works wonders for many conditions. It
has worked for me many times and I have even been an eyewitness to
it saving the lives of many people.
For several years I worked in a hospital emergency room and one curious thing
I observed was something that few people are aware of and that is that whenever
an overdose patient was brought into the emergency room, the very first thing
a doctor would do is make the overdose patient drink activated charcoal mixed
with water. During those years of seeing many overdose patients come into
the ER, I never saw an overdose patient die who was conscious and who was
able to drink the charcoal slurry. Because of my experience in the ER, I
have, over the years, done some research on activated charcoal and discovered
many beneficial properties bordering on the miraculous that makes me wonder
why the benefits of it are not more well known.
Activated charcoal is rated in Category I (Safe and Effective) by the FDA
for acute toxic poisoning. It is recognized as a universal antidote. (Science
News 119:3, 1981). It is listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, and the Poison
Control Center recommends activated charcoal for use in poisoning. Activated
charcoal works by ADSORPTION, which is an Electrical Action, rather than
ABsorption, which is a Mechanical Action. Activated charcoal ADSORBS MOST
Organic and Inorganic Chemicals that do NOT belong in the body, but it does
NOT ADSORB nutrients as some people are afraid of, at least no studies have
proven such to be the case. It will adsorb any and all medications however,
and, other than in the case of an overdose, activated charcoal needs to be
taken 2 hours before or after any medications.
Charcoal added to the diet of sheep for 6 months did not cause a loss of
nutrients, as compared with sheep not receiving charcoal. Blood tests showed
no significant difference between the two groups of animals, and there were
no visible signs of any nutritional deficiency. At autopsy no differences
either grossly or microscopically could be detected. A level of 5 % of the
total diet was given as charcoal. It did not affect the blood or urinary
levels of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, potassium,
sodium, zinc, creatinine, uric acid, urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphates,
total protein or urine pH. (Activated Charcoal by David O. Cooney,
New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1980 p. 63. )
The form of charcoal used in modern medical science is Activated Charcoal
U.S.P., a pure wood charcoal carbon that has no carcinogenic properties.
Activated charcoal is an odorless, tasteless powder. One teaspoonful of it
has a surface area of more than 10,000 square feet. This unique feature allows
it to adsorb large amounts of chemicals or poisons. The powder must be stored
in a tightly sealed container, as it readily adsorbs impurities from the
atmosphere.
Charcoal from burnt toast is not effective, and Charcoal briquettes can be
dangerous because they contain fillers and petrochemicals to help them ignite.
Activated charcoal is NOT charred foods such as burned toast! Charred food
is a product of charred proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and mineral salts
and these have an adverse affect on the body, but activated charcoal is made
from insoluble carbonized wood that has been oxidized by gases like steam
or air at high temperatures. This oxidative process erodes the charcoal’s
internal surfaces which greatly increases its adsorption capacity by creating
an internal network of very fine pores making it possible to adsorb almost
100 times it weight in toxins, bacteria, chemicals, unwanted medications,
etc. by attaching to and holding on to the foreign bodies so that they are
passed out of the body by elimination and prevented from replicating as in
the case of bad bacteria or prevented from being absorbed into the blood
stream as in the case of chemicals, toxins, or medications.
Scientific experiments over many years attest to the effectiveness of charcoal
as an antidote. In one experiment, 100 times the lethal does of Cobra venom
was mixed with charcoal and injected into a laboratory animal. The animal
was not harmed. In other experiments, arsenic and strychnine were mixed with
charcoal and ingested by humans under laboratory conditions. The subjects
survived even though the poison dosages were 5 to 10 times the lethal dose.
Activated charcoal has no ill side-effects or known cases of any allergic
reactions. It has an infinite shelf life if one is careful to keep the container
closed to prevent adsorption of caustic fumes.
Studies show that activated charcoal is harmless when it comes in contact
with the skin. In rare cases, charcoal may mildly irritate the bowel in sensitive
persons, but no allergies or side effects have been recorded. Activated charcoal
powder will NOT cause someone to have constipation, but if a person has a
problem with constipation and then drinks charcoal slurry, the activated
charcoal will pack-up in the colon due to blockages which are already present
in the colon. Research has shown that if a person has a problem with constipation
and does a colon cleanse and addresses the causes of constipation, then that
person can drink charcoal slurry without having the activated charcoal pack
up in the Colon. Constipation is the most common gastro-intestinal complaint
in the United States and although it depends on the cause, severity, and
duration of the constipation, in most cases dietary and lifestyle changes
will help relieve symptoms and eliminate constipation, but a colon cleanse
should be considered if constipation has been a chronic problem for some
time. Since constipation is a major contributor to many diseases and cancers,
constipation needs to be taken seriously and the causes addressed. These
causes usually are: too much refined and packaged foods and not enough roughage
and fibre in one’s diet, too little water intake, and not enough exercise.
If one is prone to constipation, high-fibre foods that should be increased
in one’s diet include beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits
and vegetables such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, and
many others. Limiting foods that have little or no fibre such as ice cream,
cheese, meat, and processed foods is also important. Other changes that can
help treat and prevent constipation include drinking enough water and other
liquids such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soup, engaging in daily
exercise, and reserving enough time to have a bowel movement. The urge to
have a bowel movement should not be ignored and delayed.
Activated charcoal is REQUIRED by law in many states to be part of the standard
equipment on ambulances for use in poisonings. Mushroom poisoning, brown
recluse spider bites, and snake bites can all be treated with Activated charcoal.
Doctors also use Activated charcoal to prevent and treat intestinal infections,
and as cleansing and healing agents. Jaundice of the newborn, bee stings,
poison ivy reactions, and many other illnesses can be helped with Activated
charcoal. Many pediatricians and pediatric handbooks recommend that activated
charcoal be kept on hand as an antidote in the family medicine chest, especially
in households that include small children.
Activated charcoal can be used internally and externally for humans and pets
for the following:
- Food poisoning or accidental ingestion of poisons
- Poisonous spider, poisonous snake or bug bites; can be used in cases of
poison ivy.
- Elimination of toxins that can contribute to anemia in cancer patients
(your physician should be consulted about this if you’re on cancer
medications)
- Filtering of toxins from blood, in cases of liver or kidney disease
- Effective deodorizing of colostomies and disinfection of wounds (shouldn't
be used on open wounds or you may end up with a tattoo)
- Although it is a little messy you can brush your teeth with it. It can
remove tarter and plaque build-up.
- It has been known to alleviate allergy headaches, minor arthritic symptoms,
menstrual pains, diarrhea, painful urination, flatulence, sore throat irritation,
flu-like symptoms, drug overdose, toxins from foods, water, cold sores, and
tooth abscesses.
Activated charcoal can
be purchased in tablets, capsules, or powder form. Tablets have one-half
the potency of the powdered charcoal and the capsules are not economical
but are easy to use. (About 14 capsules equals a tablespoon of powder).
It is most easily mixed in a small portion of water and is most effective
if one tablespoon is used with 1 to 2 glasses of water. It should be
taken only as needed to reduce dependency although it is definitely not
addictive.
Some drug stores sell activated charcoal tablets — We
also carry it in powdered and tablet form.
by Jon Zwayer
REFERENCES:
Activated Charcoal by David O. Cooney
Rx Charcoal by Dr. Agatha Thrash, Calvin Thrash & Phylis
Austin.
Home Remedies by Drs. Agatha Thrash & Calvin
Thrash.
The Universal Antidote and Detoxifier That Extends Life:
Activated Charcoal by Richard C. Kaufman, Ph.D.