CHARCOAL: The Ultimate Defense

Have you ever had food poisoning? The experience is awful whether it is happening to you or someone you love. My husband just had a bout of food poisoning while on vacation for an archery tournament. He had eaten at a buffet (yes, buffets and picnics are the easiest way to expose yourself), and 4 hours later started feeling the effects. I wish we had been at home so I could access my personal first aid kit, but alas, life throws curve balls when you least expect it. He made do with the help of sucking on ice cubes (water may not even stay down), sipping on electrolyte drinks and miso soup when he could. I sure wish we had had activated charcoal with us. I always keep it in my first aid kit at home and in my car- time to add it to my purse. He bounced back with quality probiotics and clean, home-made food upon returning home. 

Activated charcoal is an effective cleanser and adsorber** for the body. Made from charred wood, charcoal can help remove toxins, wastes, and foreign proteins from the body. This odorless, tasteless remedy is easy and inexpensive and is great for adults as well as pregnant women and infants. It can be taken internally or used topically as a poultice. Most pharmacies and health food stores should have it in capsules.
 
Note: Charcoal will inhibit the absorption of good minerals, vitamins, prescription drugs and possibly other nutritional supplements, so it should be only used as directed by your physician and on a short term basis. Charcoal does have a tattooing effect of the skin when used externally which will eventually fade with washing. That said, stools will likely appear black after taking internally.

Internal Indications:

• Diarrhea
• Food poisoning
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Flatulence/gas
  
  

 Directions: Mix 1 Tbsp powder in 8 oz water for a suspended solution and drink.

• 1 Tbsp powder = 4 capsules = 8 tablets

 
External Indications:

• Abscess, skin ulcers
• Insect bites/stings
• Poison oak/ivy
• Snake bite
• Wounds
• Herpes lesions including shingles
• Pain (as poultice over entire area- sprains, abdomen, arthritis, etc)

Directions: Apply a concocted paste to a cotton/cloth with some room around the edges for spreading.

1. Apply heat over the bandage for enhanced effects
2. Bandage on the cloth and leave for 6-10 hours

RECIPE 1: 3 Tbsp charcoal powder + 3 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 1 cup of water- mix and let thicken

RECIPE 2: 1 Tbsp charcoal + 1 Tbsp minced garlic + 1 Tbsp minced herbs (fresh or dry)
 
RECIPE 3: ½ c grated potato or zucchini with the above additions. Using fresh veggies gives you a great poultice base for absorbing and holding all the ingredients together.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
​
**Adsorption is the adhesion of molecules of gas, liquid, or dissolved solids to a surface. This process creates a film of the adsorbate (the molecules or atoms being accumulated) on the surface of the adsorbent. It differs from absorption, in which a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid. Here is an excellent video explaining this further.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djIzXvwIz5U_