Charcoal powder as a home remedy

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Updated – October 9, 2023

Charcoal is only known from grilling, historically from the charcoal burners who made charcoal. Charcoal extracts - in appropriately high doses and finely ground - are sometimes appreciated as a remedy against diarrhea.

Emergency services know the term charcoal powder in the form of a preparation approved as an emergency medication carbo medicinalis, which is used for acute poisoning.

Mode of action

Charcoal works by binding toxins to the charcoal and adsorbing them. Toxins can not only be poisons such as arsenic or strychnine, but also metabolic products of bacteria and viruses.

The finer the charcoal is pulverized, the greater the adsorbing surface and effect. Depending on the fineness and further processing, one gram of charcoal powder can cover a surface of up to 2,000 square meters!

Historical self-experiments

Two scientists, the chemist Michel Bertrand (1811) and Professor Touéry (1831), demonstrated in self-experiments - Bertrand with arsenic and Touéry with strychnine - the effectiveness of charcoal in adsorbing even lethal amounts of these poisons and protecting them from otherwise certain death .

Indications and dosage

Common indications include general nausea, vomiting, food intolerance or diarrhea, as well as poisoning (if you swallow caustic chemicals, DO NOT induce vomiting, otherwise the esophagus will be exposed to the caustic effects again).

The dosage depends on kg body weight. Children initially receive 1-2 g/kg body weight, then 0.25 - 0.5 g/kg every 2 - 4 hours, adults 50 - 100 g initially, then 25 - 50 g every 2 - 4 hours.

On the one hand, pressed charcoal “comprets” are difficult to ingest in the required quantities, and on the other hand, they take a relatively long time to break down in the gastrointestinal tract. That's why charcoal powder, dissolved in water (a heaped teaspoon in half a glass of water "stirring a storm in a glass of water", taken sip by sip) is the faster method - my choice.

1 charcoal pellet usually corresponds to 250 mg of charcoal powder. 1 heaped teaspoon holds about 10 g, i.e. 40 charcoal pellets.

Instructions for use

If possible, the intake of charcoal should be at least two hours apart from the administration of medication, as partial adsorption of medication is also possible and the prescribed concentration of the medication is no longer guaranteed. However, if you have vomited and taken medication shortly beforehand, it will no longer remain in your stomach. In addition, nausea that occurs does not necessarily depend on when medication is taken. Nevertheless, it is good to know that medication may need to be re-dosed if necessary.

Interactions

When taking vitamin supplements, it should be noted that vitamins B1, B3, B6 and C, as well as biotin, are also adsorbed by charcoal in a dose-dependent manner.

Regular consumption of charcoal as part of anti-aging efforts should only be carried out under constant control of the micronutrients, as these can also be adsorbed by charcoal in indefinite quantities.

Sources of supply

Sources of supply can be found on the Internet at different prices. We have our goods with you HIELA who, in addition to high-quality charcoal powder, also offer other health food products of very good quality. You currently pay 5.50 euros for 1 kg.

The term “medical” charcoal may only be used after a PZN (PharmaZentralNumber) has been issued. Since such approval procedures are extremely expensive, “medical” charcoal can only be found in the form of the well-known charcoal pellets from various pharmaceutical manufacturers at corresponding prices. In the best case scenario, 1 kg of charcoal pads costs 436 euros (1 pack of 30 pieces of 250 mg each = 7.5 g * 133.3 packs = 3993 charcoal pads)!