The
Benefits of Activated Charcoal
Click to go to our Home PageCharcoal is an amazing substance. It adsorbs
more poisons than any other substance known to mankind. It can adsorb lead
acetate, strychnine, DDT, many drugs (including cocaine, iodine, penicillin,
aspirin, phenobarbital), and inorganic substances
(chlorine, lead, and mercury). It can adsorb thousands of times its own
weight in gases, heavy metals, poisons, and other chemicals; thus it renders
them ineffective and harmless. It can adsorb intestinal gas and deodorizes
foul-smelling gases of various kinds. Charcoal can do these various things because
of its ability to attract other substances to its surface and hold them
there. This is called "adsorption" (not absorption). Charcoal can
adsorb thousands of times its own weight in harmful substances. One
teaspoonful of it has a surface area of more than 10,000 square feet. The British medical journal, Lancet,
discusses the amazing ability of the human skin to allow transfer of liquids,
gases, and even micro-particles through its permeable membrane and pores, by
the application of moist, activated charcoal compresses and poultices which
actually draw bacteria and poisons through the skin and into the poultice or
compress! The article describes the use of charcoal compresses to speed the
healing of wounds and eliminate their odors. But the poultices must be kept
moist and warm for this healing process to occur (59). Ancient Egyptian doctors, as well as
Hippocrates (the Greek physician), recommended the use of charcoal for
medicinal purposes. North American Indians used it for gas pains and skin
infections. It eases inflammation and bruises. A 1981 research study found that activated
charcoal reduces the amount of gas produced by eating beans and other
gas-forming foods. It adsorbs the excess gas, along with the bacteria which
form the gas (57). Activated charcoal helps eliminate bad
breath, because it cleanses both the mouth and the digestive tract (38). It
also helps to purify the blood (10, 38). It relieves symptoms of nervous diarrhea,
traveler’s diarrhea (turista), spastic colon,
indigestion, and peptic ulcers. For such problems, take between 1-1½
tablespoons of powdered charcoal up to 3 times a day. Because food will
reduce its effectiveness, take it between meals. Swirl the charcoal in a
glass of water and then drink it down; or mix it with olive oil and spoon it
into your mouth. (38, 47, 57, 58). Charcoal was placed in gas masks during
World War I; and it effectively counteracted poison gas. Bad odors, caused by skin ulcers, have been
eliminated by placing charcoal-filled cloth over plastic casts. It has been
used externally to effectively adsorb wound secretions, bacteria, and toxins.
And, in poultices and packs, it treats infections of the face, eyelids, skin,
or extremities. It is one of the best substances in poultices for mushroom
poisoning, insect stings, brown recluse spider bites, black widow bites, and
various types of snake bites. It is used in water purification, air
purification, and for removing undesirable odors and impurities in food. Charcoal is the most-used remedy when many different
types of poisons may have been swallowed. It is also used for diarrhea and
indigestion. It is used for jaundice of the newborn,
poison oak and ivy reactions, and many other illnesses. All research studies show charcoal to be
harmless when it is accidently inhaled, swallowed,
or in contact with the skin. (But if enough is swallowed, it can cause a mild
constipation.) No allergies to it have been reported (10, 38). But it is best
not to take charcoal longer than 12 weeks without stopping. Do not take it
regularly for long periods of time. Charcoal from burned toast should never be
used; since substances are present which are carcinogenic. Do not eat burned
food. Charcoal briquettes are especially dangerous, because petro-chemicals have been added to them. The most effective type of charcoal is the activated
form. This process renders it 2 to 3 times as effective as regular charcoal.
First, the charcoal is ground very fine; and then it is placed in a steam
chamber. This opens up the charcoal and exposes more of its surfaces, so it
can adsorb much more. Modern medical science uses Activated
Charcoal USP, a pure, naturally produced wood charcoal carbon that has no
carcinogenic properties. It must be stored in a tightly sealed
container, because it readily adsorbs impurities from the atmosphere.
(Leaving the top off a container of charcoal will partially purify the room
it is in, to the degree that the air in the room comes in contact with the
charcoal.) Simply place some in water, stir, and
swallow. Or apply it to the skin’s surface. It is odorless and tasteless.
Powdered, activated charcoal achieves maximum adsorption within a minute or
so after absorption. Charcoal can also be placed in empty
gelatin capsules and swallowed. (Gelatin is usually processed from animals.)
But they will act more slowly than swallowing the powder mixed with water.
Charcoal can also be mixed with a little fruit juice before being swallowed;
but, of course, it will adsorb that also. This should not be a problem if the
juice is diluted or there is a sufficient amount of charcoal in it. Charcoal poultices that are kept moist and
warm actually draw toxins and poisons out through the skin tissue. This is
because skin is a permeable membrane, which permits a variety of liquids and
gases to enter and exit the body. Make the poultice just large enough to
cover the injured part. The paste may be made by mixing equal parts of
flaxseed meal or corn starch with the activated charcoal, in a bowel, and
then adding just enough hot water to make a moderately thick paste. Then
spread the paste over a porous cloth, covering over the top with another
layer of that same cloth. Place the poultice over the area to be
treated and cover it with a piece of plastic. Cover or wrap with a cloth, to
hold it all in place. Secure by a tie, stretch bandage, or pin. Apply the poultice for 1 or 2 hours. If
applied at bedtime, leave it on overnight. Adsorption takes place almost
immediately. When it is removed, wash or gently cleanse the area with cool
water. Repeat when needed. Poultices should, at the most, be changed every
6-10 hours. Do not put charcoal directly on the broken skin; because it may
cause a tatooing effect, blackening the skin for a
period of time (21, 23, 24, 38, 50). Activated charcoal is required by law to be
part of the standard equipment on many ambulances, in case poisoning is
encountered. It is the first choice of the medical profession (10, 38, 41). Scientific experiments, conducted over a
period of many years, attest to the effectiveness of charcoal as an antidote.
In one experiment, 100 times the lethal dose of cobra venom was mixed with
charcoal and injected into a laboratory animal. The animal was not harmed
(15). In other experiments, arsenic and
strychnine were thoroughly mixed with charcoal and then swallowed by humans
under laboratory conditions. The subjects survived, even though the poison
dosages were 5 to 10 times the lethal dose (1, 3, 14, 16, 17, 38). Because medicinal drugs are chemical
compounds, they are all poisons to a greater or lesser degree. Because of
this, if charcoal is taken with them, or soon afterward, it will tend to
adsorb and inactivate the drugs. Therefore, physicians recommend that you
only take charcoal two hours before or two hours after taking a medicinal drug.
Physicians primarily use charcoal for eight
different purposes. Here they are: 1 - To treat poisonous bites from snakes,
spiders, and insects (38). 2 - To treat poisonings in general, as well
as overdoses of aspirin, Tylenol, and other drugs (10, 30, 48, 49, 51, 52,
53, 54, 55, 56, 62, 63). 3 - To treat some forms of dysentery,
diarrhea, dyspepsia, and foot-and-mouth disease (20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
37, 38, 48). 4 - To disinfect and deodorize wounds (48,
50, 58, 59). 5 - To eliminate toxic by-products that
cause anemia in cancer patients (33, 50, 54). 6 - To filter toxins from the blood in
liver and kidney diseases (31, 48, 65). 7 - To purify blood in transfusions (48,
60, 65). Although activated charcoal can be used as
an antidote in poisoning from most drugs and chemicals, it will not be
effective against the following: cyanide, alcohol, caustic alkalies (such as lye), mineral acids, or boric acids.
Strong alkaline and acid poisons need to be treated with solutions with the
opposite pH. For example, until the ambulance arrives, calcium powder in
water will help offset acids and vinegar will help offset alkalies.
Consult a When mixed with water and swallowed to
counteract poisoning, charcoal adsorbs the poison or drug, inactivating it.
It then carries it inert through the entire length of the digestive tract and
out of the body. Charcoal is not absorbed, adsorbed, neutralized, nor
metabolized by the body (6, 13, 47, 53). In a poisoning emergency, if the victim is
conscious, first induce vomiting (unless he has swallowed an acid) if it can
be done quickly. Ipecac is a commonly used emetic. The dosage is ½ oz.
for children and 1 oz. for adults. Induced vomiting will bring up about 30%
of the poison from the stomach. Then give the charcoal to help inactivate
the remaining 70%. The usual dose is 5-50 grams of charcoal, depending on age
and body size. Adults should be given at least 30 grams (about half a cup of
lightly packed powder), depending on the amount of poison ingested. Larger
doses will be needed if the person has eaten a meal recently. A dose of 200
grams (3½ cups) is not excessive in cases of severe poisoning. The charcoal
will reach its maximum rate of adsorption within one minute. The sooner it is
given, the more complete will be the adsorption of the poison. Always keep a
large jar of activated charcoal in your kitchen! The dose can be repeated
every four hours or until charcoal appears in the stool (3, 10, 41, 47, 48,
52, 53, 60, 61). Never give charcoal, or anything else, to
an unconscious person to swallow. Contact a physician or ambulance
immediately. Do not give charcoal before giving an
emetic (to get him to vomit), because the charcoal will neutralize the
emetic. Remember that charcoal will not work in cases of poisoning by strong
acids or alkalies. Here is a sampling of over 100 substances
which are absorbed by charcoal: Acetaminophen / Aconitine
/ Amitriptyline / hydrochloride / Amphetamine /
Antimony / Antipyrine / Arsenic / Aspirin /
Atropine / Barbital, Barbiturates / Ben-Gay / Benzodiazepines / Cantharides /
Camphor / Chlordane / Chloroquine / Chlorpheniramine / Chlorpromazine / Cocaine / Colchicine / Congesprin /
Contact / Dalmane / Darvon
/ Delphinium / Diazepam / 2-, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid / Digitalis
(Foxglove) / Dilantin / Diphenylhydantoin
/ Diphenoxylates / Doriden
/ Doxepin / Elaterin / Elavil / Equanil / Ergotamine /
Ethchlorvynol / Gasoline / Glutethimide
/ Golden chain / Hemlock / Hexachlorophene / Imipramine
/ Iodine / Ipecac / Isoniazid / Kerosene / Lead
acetate / Malathion / Mefenamic
acid / Meprobamate / Mercuric chloride / Mercury / Methylene blue / Methyl salicylate
/ Miltown / Morphine / Multivitamins and minerals /
Muscarine / Narcotics / Neguvon
/ Nicotine / Nortriptyline / Nytol
/ Opium / Oxazepam / Parathion / Penicillin / Pentazocine / Pentobarbital / Pesticides / Phenobarbital
/ Phenolphthalein / Phenol / Phenothiazines / Phenylpropanolamine / Placidyl
/ Potassium permanganate / Primaquine / Propantheline / Propoxyphene / Quinacrine / Quinidine /
Quinine / Radioactive substances / Salicylamide / Salicylates / secobarbital /
Selenium / Serax / Silver / Sinequan
/ Sodium Salicylate / Sominex
/ Stramonium / Strychnine / Sulfonamides / Talwin / Tofranil / Tree
tobacco / Yew / Valium / Veratrine / Some silver
and antimony salts / Many herbicides (32, 39). Reference sources: 1 - British Medical Journal, August
26, 1972. 2 - David O. Conney, Activated
Charcoal, p. 47. 3 - Acta Pharmacologica et Toxicologica,
4:275, 1948. 4 - Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA), May 29, 1915. 5 - Cooney, p. 33. 6 - JAMA, December 8, 1969. 7 - Bulletin de la Society de Chime Biologique, October-December 1945. 8 - Journal of animal Science,
February 1972. 9 - Cooney, p. 63. 10 - Clinical Toxicology, March 1970. 11 - Annals of Emergency Medicine,
November 1980. 12 - AMA Archives of Industrial Health,
December 1958. 13 - Archives of Environmental Health,
December 1960. 14 - JAMA, August 18, 1978. 15 - Comptes
rendus Hebdomadaires des Seance de Academie des
Sciences, November 19, 1928. 16 - Toxicology and Applied
Pharmacology, September 1973. 17 - JAMA, September 22, 1969. 18 - Management of Poisoning, Pediatrics
for the Clinician, p. 325. 19 - JAMA, June 15, 1984. 20 - Patient Care, October 30, 1977,
p. 152. 21 - Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Monthly,
December 1968. 22 - Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, May 1964. 23 - JAMA, May 1964. 24 - Chirurg,
April 1948. 25 - Quarterly Journal of Pharmacology,
July-September 1928. 26 - Cooney, p. 123. 27 - Cooney, p. 131. 28 - Cooney, p. 133. 30 - Nature 184, October 10, 1959. 31 - Medical World News, February
17, 1967. 32 - Cooney, p. 145. 33 - Lancet, 1:1301, 1974. 34 - Annals of Internal Medicine,
93:446-449, 1980. 35 - British Medical Journal,
November 25, 1978. 36 - Medical Tribune, April 12, 1978. 37 - Surgery, Gynecology, and
Obstetrics, 96:873-878, 1930. 38 - A. Thrash, Home Remedies, 1981. 39 - Common Poisons & Injurious
Plants, 41 - Pediatrics, September 1974. 42 - American Journal of Hospital
Pharmacy (AJHP), September 1976. 43 - AJHP, June 1979. 44 - AJHP, August 1979. 45 - Clinical Toxicology, May 1975. 47 - Hospital Formulary, 1983. 48 - Martingale Extra Pharmacopeia,
28th edition, p. 72, 1982. 49 - AMA Drug Evaluations, 5th
edition, 1983. 50 - Marjorie Baldwin, M.D., Wildwood
Sanitarium and Hospital, 51 - Conn’s Current Therapy 1984,
pp. 925, 927. 52 - Merck Manual, 14th edition. 53 - American Society of Hospital
Pharmacists, 1976. 54 - Facts and Comparisons, 1981. 55 - Klin
Wochenschr, 1982. 56 - Our Earth, Our Cure, R. Dextreit, 1974. 57 - Effect of Orally Administered
Activated Charcoal on Intestinal Gas, Hall, Thompson & Strother, Loma Linda Medical School, 1981. 58 - Prevention, February 1981. 59 - Lancet, September 13, 1980. 60 - American Medical News, June 22,
1984. 61 - European Journal of Pharmacology,
24:557, 1983. 62 - Pediatric Clinics of 63 - Hospital Pharmacy News, May
1984. 64 - Journal of Pediatrics, July
1979. 65 - British Medical Journal, October 7,
1972. Vance Ferrell |