Activated Charcoal - Black Gold
by Living Springs Retreat Health Educator
An Ancient Amazing Agent - Black “gold”
Activated charcoal is a rich, black, odorless, tasteless, gritty, inexpensive, easy to find, and an ancient natural remedy, that is an essential item for every household and every emergency kit. What's equally as important, however, is a knowledge of how to use activated charcoal effectively. Read books about how it works and start small.
Activated charcoal has no competition because of its effectiveness. Not only are its uses therapeutic, but they are also medicinal. Its uses are certainly many in number, and it’s very safe for people of all ages. Author John Dinsley writes, “From the mysteries of ancient Egypt, from the jungles of Guatemala, to the steps of the great Himalayas, from the coral atolls of the Pacific, to the concrete jungles and towers of the 21st century, I have again and again marveled as I have witnessed the efficacy of this humble antidote of poison and disease.”1 Sadly, many people are unaware of just how useful and effective activated charcoal really is. In this article, you will learn the “ABCs” of this useful resource and how it can alleviate common ailments.
What is it?
Activated charcoal begins as regular charcoal, and becomes “activated” with oxidizing gases, such as steam or air at high temperatures.2 It is produced by heating or burning items such as: wood, bone char, coconut shells, peat, petroleum coke, coal, or saw dust in a furnace or in a kiln to temperatures of 1,470-1,650 degrees Fahrenheit. It then passes in steam to remove carbon dioxide and other substances. The nature of activated charcoal is that it is an adsorbent. To adsorb means to take up, or hold on. It works like a magnet by collecting foreign substances around itself and bonding them together. The body then excretes the waste matter via bowel movement.3 John Dinsley, describes the physical make up from a microscopic level. “The tiny particles of charcoal have a network of crevices, cracks, and tunnels such that the combine surface area in a one-centimeter cube unfolds to a thousand square meters...it is the champion of detoxifiers!”4 Charcoal comes in various easy-to-find forms, such as powder, tablet, or capsule.
What Does it Do?
Whether gases, foreign proteins, germs, viruses, toxins, body wastes, free radicals, poisonous chemicals or drugs, the activated charcoal binds to the offending agents until they can be safely disposed of.5 So, this means that if you or someone else ingests a harmful substance, taking charcoal orally will clear away the foreign matter. Another medicinal side of this amazing product is that it adsorbs wound secretions as well. It will adsorb almost anything. There was an experiment that was done to see just how effective activated charcoal was at removing poison. A quart bottle filled with charcoal will adsorb 80 quarts of poisonous ammonia gas, Wow!6
Uses
This amazing agent is great for external use, such as poultices and even mixing into your warm bath water. It is fantastic for taking internally with water. You can also take cubes of charcoal, place in a net bag, and hang on a peg to adsorb toxins or chemicals in the air. The black particles you see in your home water filtration pitcher contains charcoal, which helps to detoxify your tap water.
A Mess-Free Way to Make a Charcoal Poultice:
Obtain a plastic bag with zipper closure.
Open the bag, and place inside: ground flaxseed, oat flour, psyllium powder, or slippery elm root powder. (Whatever you have on hand.)
Place the same amount of activated charcoal inside the bag.
Mix the two ingredients together by sealing the bag and then shaking.
Add water in the bag-just enough to make a paste.
Mix the water around in the bag while it is sealed.
Once mixed, allow any air to escape from bag.
Close bag again and roll with rolling pin to flatten, making about ¼ inch thick.
Place bag on plate.
Place bag in freezer.
You are now ready in case of an emergency. If someone has snake bit or insect bit, remove your ready-to-go charcoal bag from your freezer, and with a pair of scissors, cut out the size you need. Peel away one side of selected size and place directly on the skin. Secure with surgical tape or elastic bandage. The charcoal will begin to adsorb the poison from the bite. After use, discard the poultice. It is not unusual for a feeling of itching to develop around the area where the poultice was applied. This is because the charcoal is gently absorbing what it can from within. This means your body is responding positively to the charcoal's work.7 The poison will thus be safely and effectively removed from the body.
An Alternative to the Zipper Bag Method
Place charcoal powder in a mixing bowl
Pour water in gradually and stir with a spoon to achieve a paste like consistency
Spread a piece of cloth on the counter.
Spread ¼ inch charcoal paste on the center of the cloth.
Fold the four sides of the cloth over the charcoal paste.
Turn the covered charcoal paste upside down and drain the excess water by pressing with a piece of dry cloth.
Apply the poultice to the affected area on the body. Next, secure the poultice by wrapping cellophane or plastic around it.
If sleeping overnight with the poultice, wrap another clean dry cloth around the plastic wrap and secure with a roller bandage or elastic bandage.8 Remove in the next morning.
Diarrhea
Charcoal is useful for a case of diarrhea. Mix one tablespoon of charcoal powder with one cup of pure drinking water. Stir to dissolve. Drink all at once. Then, drink 6-8 ounces of pure water to flush it all down. Another method is to take four to six charcoal tablets two to three times per day between meals. If this method is not preferable, “slurry” water can be consumed instead. To make “slurry” water, simply take 2-3 tablespoons of powdered charcoal and stir into one quart of warm water. Allow the charcoal to settle to the bottom of the glass. The clear water from the top can then be drunk.9 If your baby has ingested something dangerous, pour the slurry water into the baby's bottle. This can be repeated several times using the original charcoal.10
A very compelling story from a missionary in a tropical island says he was riddled with food poisoning and was in severe pain from stomach convulsions. He took some charcoal tablets orally and applied a wet charcoal poultice on his abdomen. Within minutes the cramps eased and he had relief and could go back to sleep. The poison was neutralized and the simple remedy worked!!!11 The missionary noted that poultices of any kind only work if there is continuous moist contact with the skin. Hence, it is important to cover the poultice with plastic.
Flatulence, Upset Stomach, or Indigestion
North American Indians are known to have used activated charcoal for gas pains. Suppose you ate something, and hours later you are having problems. The activated charcoal adsorbs gas.12 Mix with water, as described in the section regarding diarrhea.
Gout and Arthritis
Make a charcoal poultice and apply to the affected joint. Also, take Charcoal by mouth (either in powder form mixed with water or capsule form with water). It can help to lower the serum acid levels in the body.13 The frequency of the charcoal drink can be three times per day.14
Poisonous Bites or Stings
Use the zipper bag method as mentioned above. If you do not have access to a zipper bag, use the alternative method as noted above. For multiple stings, add two cups of charcoal powder to warm bathtub water and immerse body for up to one hour.
Toothache
1/8 tsp cayenne powder
1 tsp activated charcoal powder
Peppermint oil
Directions: Mix cayenne and charcoal powder with enough peppermint oil to reach a paste consistency. Place on a small piece of gauze. Apply to the affected area until relief is obtained.15
Things to Keep in Mind
Avoid excessive internal use of charcoal, as it has a constipating effect.
Avoid using on areas where the skin is broken, as this will stain the skin black. To avoid this, place a paper towel over the broken skin before applying the activated charcoal. Once it stains fabric, it is very difficult to remove. Use paper towels or old sheets.
To avoid mess, place the charcoal powder in a cup first, then add warm water and mix.
Capsules are twice as potent as the tablets.16
If your stomach is sensitive to charcoal, try the slurry water method.
Babies and little children may be given the charcoal drink little by little, and not all at once.
Drink pure water to rinse mouth and throat after each charcoal drink.
For high effectiveness, it is recommended that charcoal drink be taken one hour BEFORE meals or ONE hour after meals.17
Avoid drinking charcoal water with food.
The amazing agent of charcoal is God's beautiful way of helping us to overcome ailments naturally. Friends, whatever you may be struggling with, God has a remedy. Jeremiah 33:6 says, “Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.” (KJV)
1Charcoal Remedies.com: The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and Its Applications, by John Dinsley p.16
2Charcoal Remedies.com: The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and Its Applications, by John Dinsley p. 37
3Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severino S. Paypa, MHSC., M.P.H. p. 21, 23
4Charcoal Remedies.com: The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and Its Applications, by John Dinsleyp. 37
5 Charcoal Remedies.com: The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and Its Applications, by John Dinsley p. 37 & Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severinoa S. Paypa , p. 23.
6Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severino S. Paypa p. 23
7Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severino Paypa, p. 51
8Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severino Paypa, p. 56
9Natural Remedies A Manual, by Phylis Austin, Agatha Thrash, M.D. & Calvin Thrash, M.D., p. 43
10Charcoal Remedies.com: The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and Its Applications, by John Dinsley, p.289
11Charcoal Remedies.com: The Complete Handbook of Medicinal Charcoal and Its Applications, by John Dinsley, p.27
12Natural Remedies A Manual, by Phylis Austin, Agatha Thrash, M.D. & Calvin Thrash, M.D., p.55
13Natural Remedies A Manual, by Phylis Austin, Agatha Thrash, M.D. & Calvin Thrash, M.D., p.59
14Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severino Paypa, p.75
15God's Farmacy: A Book on Natural Remedies, M.E.E.T Ministry, p.61
16Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severino Paypa, p. 27
17Healing Wonders of Charcoal, by Severino Paypa, p. 74