Activated charcoal - Adsorbs toxins from bites, food poisoning, overdose

What is activated charcoal?

Ordinary charcoal is simply charred wood as in charcoal bricks. In contrast, activated charcoal It is made under controlled conditions to increase the absorbative ability of charcoal. This is usually a high temperature process limiting oxygen applied to carbon-rich materials, such as wood, peat, coconut shells, or sawdust.

The “activating’ process increases the overall adsorbing surface area of the charcoal by reducing its pore size.

Activated charcoal is readily available for purchase online

Health benefits of activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal chemically adsorbs (attaches to, not absorbs) and inactivates toxins from bites, food poisoning or drug overdose. E.g. snake and spider, venom, tylenol (acetaminophen), aspirin, penicillin, nicotine, cocaine, opium, mercuric chloride, antimony, arsenic, cyanide, strychnine, and hemlock. Activated charcoal is commonly used in the ER for poisoning or overdose cases.

However. activated charcoal cannot adsorb:

Alcohol. Hultén BA, Heath A, Mellstrand T, Hedner T. Does alcohol adsorb alcohol, 1986, Hum Toxicol. 1986 May;5(3):211-2. PubMed
Petroleum products. E.g. gasoline, kerosine
Lye
Iron
Lithium

Other health benefits include:

Kidney health. Activated charcoal filters undigested toxins.

How is activated charcoal utilized?

The sooner activated charcoal is used, the better the results.

Activated Charcoal Drink

Adsorbs / binds toxins in the GI tract to prevent their absorption from the stomach and intestines into the blood stream. E.g. from drug overdose, food poisoning, It must be administered within 4 hours of consuming a toxin (i.e. before digestion whilst still in the stomach)

How to make an activated charcoal drink

Use a pint-sized jar that has a lid (a mason jar with a metal lid works well).
Half fill with water and then add an appropriate amount of activated charcoal.
Put on lid and shake

Alternatively: use a glass and simply stir in the charcoal

Charcoal dosage and schedule for ingested poisons

Repeat all dosages in 30 minutes or if the symptoms begin to worsen.

Estimated Total Amount of Poison or Medicine Taken	*Charcoal Powder to be used if person has NOT* eaten in the last 2 hours**	Charcoal Powder to be used if person has eaten in the last 2 hours
1 teaspoon 1-2 capsules 1-2 tablets	1-2 Tbsp of activated charcoal powder stirred in a glass of water. Rinse glass and drink rinsing. Follow by 2 glasses of water.	4-10 Tbsp of activated charcoal powder stirred in a glass of water. Rinse glass and drink the rinsing water. Follow with 2 glasses of water.
1 Tbsp 3-5 tablets 2-5 capsules	3-4 Tbsp of activated charcoal powder stirred in a glass of water. Rinse glass and drink rinsing. Follow by 2 glasses of water.	6-15 Tbsp of activated charcoal powder stirred in a glass of water. Rinse glass and drink the rinsing water. Follow with 2 glasses of water.
Unknown Amount	1-5 Tbsp of activated charcoal powder stirred in a glass of water. Rinse glass and drink rinsing. Follow by 2 glasses of water.	5-15 Tbsp of activated charcoal powder stirred in a glass of water. Rinse glass and drink the rinsing water. Follow with 2 glasses of water.

Credit to: http://www.swiftrunnerministries.com/charcoal-remedies.php

Transdermal use

Activated charcoal soak

Soak: If treatment area can be submerged. E.g. foot, hand, arm, finger

Add 1/2 Cup activated charcoal to 2-5 gallons of water in a bucket or plastic bowl

a “jelly” poultice

Used externally to adsorb localized toxins from a poisonous bite or sting – the sooner you can get it on after the incident, the better. A poisonous bite will usually become inflamed and painful within 10 minutes

Mix:

1/4 Cup Water
2 Tablespoons Activated Charcoal powder
2 Tablespoons ground flax seed to bind (holds moisture in poultice) – can also use psyllium, cornstarch or ground oatmeal

Make poultice

Place an amount of mixture in middle of a paper towel and spread it out a little
Fold the edges of the towel over into the center to form a poultice “package”

Apply poultice

Place poultice onto the treatment area –
Cover with plastic
Wrap with a bandage to hold in place
Change every hour or two at first if dealing with a serious case – or else leave longer

DO NOT use DMSO to increase absorption, it will cause venom to sink deeper – according to the book “Defy your doctor and be healed” by C. Thomas and Sara C. Corriher;

Transdermal Charcoal Treatments for Poisonous Bites or Stings

Charcoal should be applied immediately or as soon as possible. If you are allergic to bees take charcoal orally also.

Type of Problem	Single Bee Sting	Multiple Bee Stings	Spider Bite	Snake Bite
Initial Treatment of Choice	Charcoal paste applied to sting area	30 minute charcoal bath (2 cups charcoal to a bath)	Charcoal soak of the affected part (1/2 cup charcoal to 2-5 gallons)	1. Wash bite area 2. 1 hour charcoal soak 3. Apply poultice to entire area centering over bite 4. Drink 2 T charcoal + 2 glasses of water every 2 hours for 6 hours, then 1 tsp every 4 hours for 24 hours
Additional Treatments	Charcoal poutlices	Charcoal poutlices	Charcoal poutlices
Duration of poultice Treatments	Change every 10 minutes for 1 hour, then leave on for at least 8 hours or until swelling and pain are gone	Change every 10 minutes for 1 hour, then leave on for at least 8 hours	Change every 30 minutes for 8 hours then every 2 hours for 8 hours then every 2-4 hours until healing is complete	Change poultice every 10-15 minutes until swelling and pain are gone. Add ice packs if pain and swelling persist.