WHY ACTIVATED CHARCOAL GIVES ME PEACE OF MIND

I just recently ran into a friend who got food poisoning and when I mentioned activated charcoal, she almost slapped me for not telling her about it before. I just assumed everybody and their mama knew about activated charcoal. So after her recommendation to write a post about it, I am here to share how my family uses activated charcoal.

Before I get into it, let me do some administrative work. Here’s the disclaimer: I am not a doctor and am not recommending you do anything without your actual doctor’s permission. This is solely an account of how our family uses activated charcoal as well as what our own personal experience has been. Your experience may be different. Okay. Back to our regularly scheduled programming. Let me share a little bit about what activated charcoal is.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is a fine, odorless black powder made from coal, wood, coconut shells and other substances that has been been combined with gases or activating agents to increase its surface area making it ideal for adsorption (not absorption). You can usually purchase it from your local drugstore or online in powder, capsule or gummy form. You can find the one we use here.

How do we use activated charcoal?

We haven’t had to use it much this year, I believe mostly thanks to masks but pre-pandemic, we used it quite a bit. I have two small children who like to share so they bring home viruses for Mommy and Daddy on occasion. Since we started using activated charcoal, I have felt more confident in my ability to contain the spread of those nasty bugs.

1. To combat food poisoning

You guys know I love to cook but I also enjoy a good meal made by someone else. I have narrowed my list of trusted restaurants down but it was a journey to get there. Food poisoning is one of those things that tends to catch you in the middle of the night when everything is closed. It twas a night such as this, that encouraged our introduction to activated charcoal.

Steve got really sick one night after dinner at a new place and Steve rarely is ill so the culprit was clear. It was a rough night and a coworker suggested activated charcoal the next day. The relief was so fast that we were instant believers and haven’t looked back since. That was 3 years ago and since then, I have been doing free commercials (sometimes with music and all).

We have had a handful of food poisoning issues over the last few years, between the four of us, and time after time, activated charcoal has come through. When traveling was a thing, activated charcoal was always on our essentials list. Don’t leave home without it.

2. To prevent or neutralize the effects of a stomach virus

When kids didn’t have to wear masks, the stomach bug was the thing I was most afraid of. It was the one virus that seemed to spread like wildfire and would completely debilitate a parent in a heartbeat. I can still be somewhat of a mom with a cold or even the flu (yes, I’m gangsta) but the stomach virus is like the Mike Tyson of infections. So when I discovered that not only could we take activated charcoal to lessen the symptoms of the virus but also to prevent getting it in the first place, I am 100% sure I did a dance of some kind.

Again, I’m not a doctor but here is what we do. If we get word that something is going around in school. We give the kids have a dose every evening for a couple days. By half a dose, I mean we open the capsule and sprinkle the powder in lemonade, ginger beer or sprite. It changes the color of whatever liquid you are drinking completely black so we used a covered container and let them drink it through a straw. Easy peasy, virus squeazy.

Same thing if the virus actually enters our home. If one person has it, we all take it and I seriously can’t remember the last time we’ve have a stomach virus. We obviously keep activated charcoal on hand at all times. It’s like flour, bread and eggs in our house. My husband who laughs at some of my “remedies” will be one of the first to get antsy if we are running low. I can’t even tell you how big of a deal that is. I’m just saying…

3. For good ole gas pains

I dislike gas pains but it doesn’t stop me from eating gassy foods. Our entire family loves broccoli, cheese and beans and we recently got introduced to brussel sprouts. Lord, help us. So we need something on hand that can help when our tanks feel like they are backed up. No shade on Pepto-Bismol but I don’t know what’s in it and I question the color choice altogether. We have used activated charcoal safely for years and if it can serve another purpose, I’m all for it.

For us adults, we just take 1 to 2 capsules with water or sprite and wait for relief while the kiddie method involves opening the capsules and using the powder directly. Our kids are so used to it we no longer have to trick them with lids and straws and I like that they are familiar with a natural product that is safe (if used as directed) and effective.

What are other reported uses of activated charcoal?

1. Prevent hangovers
2. Treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses
3. Whiten teeth and improve oral hygiene
4. Clear acne and scalp issues (I want to try this one)
5. Water filtration
6. Neutralize mosquito and bee stings
7. Mold cleansing
8. Lower cholesterol

Precautions before taking activated charcoal

Because the adsorption rate of activated charcoal is so high, persons taking medications, vitamins and supplements should avoid taking activated charcoal as it can render these items useless. Before taking anything new, please speak with your physician to understand any potential reactions or effects based on your individual health.

Pro-tip: If you take activated charcoal, please follow with lots of water to flush out toxins removed by the charcoal.

Well, that was more informational than usual but I hope it was helpful. As we are presented with endless amounts of products, I am personally trying to keep it as simple as possible. Now, you know everything I know about activated charcoal and you can keep cooking and eating out with confidence. Check out my recipe page if you’re looking for some new ideas.

Remember, do your own activated charcoal research, speak to your doctor and let me know if you have a positive experience. Let me know in the comments if you knew about activated charcoal and how you use it. Stay full and healthy, friends!