You’ve likely heard of or experienced using charcoal for poisoning, but did you know you don’t have to go to the hospital for it? This little remedy is becoming quite the common go-to for many a tummy ache.
Back in the day, when your kid would sneak into the kitchen cupboard and drink a bottle of cleaner, it wasn’t uncommon to make a run to the hospital for a charcoal flush. Now you can find activated charcoal in capsule form at your local grocery store. Not a bad thing to have on hand! Here are a few great uses for activated charcoal:
- Food poisoning: it may be difficult to swallow some pills once you feel that wrench in your stomach hit, but it may just be worth it. Even if you end up “releasing” more of the charcoal out during those late-night hours, it’s still helpful. Just scary looking, but not harmful.
- Alcohol: if you decide to have a glass, one of the best pre-remedies for that hangover (or just that bit of an icky feeling) is to take a couple capsules of charcoal during your evening celebration. Wash them down with a glass of water, yes the whole glass, and keep that water flowing.
- Eating less-than-awesome food: we all want a little treat now and then, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, if your body isn’t used to ingesting your favorite treat, be it the sugar or the wheat, you might have an unpleasant result. Before you dip into your treat, take a couple capsules.
That all sounds awesome, but how does it work? Those tiny little particles of charcoal that can easily smudge onto just about anything and everything have an incredible ability to absorb toxins. Because of the fine ground in activated charcoal, just one standard dose of 50 grams has the absorption surface area of up to 10 football fields. That’s a lot of area to cover the toxins you’ve ingested. Not only that, but charcoal cannot be digested, which means it passes through your system taking all those toxins with it.
Activated charcoal can calm your digestive system, reducing that ugly bloating feeling you get when you eat something you know you probably shouldn’t have. It’s a great thing to have on hand when going out for dinner, especially if you’re not sure what you’ll end up having to eat.
There are actually quite a few benefits of activated charcoal, of which you’ll find a great resource by looking here.
*Disclaimer: You should consult with a healthcare professional before seeking medical treatment of any kind. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a health concern please seek your healthcare professional.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/activated_charcoal/article_em.htm