Ultimate Guide to Activated Charcoal: Benefits and Uses

Multiple Cures

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  100%

Posted by Christine (Lancaster, CA) on 11/28/2005
★★★★★

I have been using charcoal for approx 14 yrs. In our home it has been used for nausea/vomiting; diarrhea; upset stomach; belching; heart burn; gas; indigestion; poultices over painful areas on diffent parts of the body; pasty poultice over insect bites, over the stomach in a poultice for fevers. As a nurse, I highly recommend it to all.

Replied by Janyl
(La Porte, Indiana)
02/23/2017

This post from 2005 says she used charcoal that for over 14 years and there are several areas or info that state you shouldn't take it long-term. Do you happen to know the real answer to this??

Replied by Aja
(New Zealand)
05/29/2017
★★★★★

I took it to mean that it had been used for many different things over that 14 year period, not daily for 14 years. We also have had it in our first aid cupboard for many years, but we are not using it daily, except for this one use: grandchildren just love a little bit in home-made toothpaste & the get a kick out of grinning at themselves in the mirror. I make different flavours or colours each time, and black is the favourite colour so far.

Replied by Pam E.
(SouthWestern California)
11/21/2022
129 posts

Christine simply forgot to include that *HER FAMILY* was only using it as needs arose - those that she listed. I hardly think any of them were using it every month, let alone every day!


Powder Form Vs. Capsule

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Organicqueen (Chandler, Az, Usa) on 11/05/2011

Hi...was curious to see if taking the charcoal in powder form or capsule? Also, if taken in powder, what is a good method to mix it in?

Replied by Cc
(Illinois, Usa)
12/14/2013
★★★★★

I don't think it matters whether you use the bulk powder or capsules. I currently have bulk powder, but only because I got tired of opening capsules to use as a poultice. I prefer capsules, internally, just because I'm a clutz and it's so messy. LOL!


Spider Bites

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Sandy (In the sticks, Nevada) on 07/12/2008
★★★★★

A huge thank you to Elizabeth from Woodbury, TN, for posting the charcoal remedy for spider bites. I was sweeping webs off my house & must have been bitten, but didn't notice the bite until the next morning. It itched like a mosquito bite, but felt hot & was beginning to swell. Long story short, I went away on business and could not treat it until 36 hours later. It had swollen up terribly and had been weeping off and on -- it was also very hot. When I got home,I treated it with activated charcoal mixed with colloidal silver as a paste applied to my arm, changing every 30 minutes or so. At bedtime, I covered it with a thick paste & then with a bandage. The next morning, the heat & the swelling were almost completely gone. I continued to apply fresh paste to the bite throughout the day & bandaged it again at night. The recovery from this bite was just short of miraculous -- I wish I had taken photos. Also, I did take several activated charcoal capsules each day along with the application of the paste. I never found out what bit me, although I suspect a hobo spider or brown recluse. Activated charcoal is my new favorite remedy! Thank you earthclinic for providing this information.


Spider Bites
Posted by Elizabeth (Woodbury, TN) on 09/29/2006
★★★★★

We've used activated charcoal many times in our family and friends for the brown recluse spider bite. Even a couple of doctors here were amazed at what it did! We would make up a paste and change the first day about every 2 hours and then the next day just a few times and would keep watching it. Usually the bite was shrunk and just a little scab after a few days. Usually we would also drink some so that we would have any poison from the bite eliminated from our system.


Spider Bites and Boils

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by David (Austin, Tx) on 06/04/2016
★★★★★

I have successfully treated myself and others with activated charcoal. Quickly pulls out toxins and poisons from spider bites and boils. I mix it with high quality clay mask to make a paste which is applied directly to the affected area. Continue to wash off and re apply every few hours until healed. Apply generously and be sure to cover well beyond any swelling or redness. Generally a three inch diameter should be sufficient.


Spider Bites, Mosquito Bites

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Anonymous (Denver, CO) on 07/30/2009
★★★★★

I had two mosquito bites that swelled to little eggs on my arm. I mixed a little charcoal with water and dabbed that on. The itch stopped immediately and I kept putting it on several times. The swelling went down as well.

My husband cut some tree branches and got three spider bites on the back of his knee. Two of them had already started seeping by the time he showed it to me and one especially looked pretty scary. We put some charcoal on mixed with water and then covered everything with bandaids. We changed this several times and after about three days one bite is gone and the other two look like they are healing nicely.


Tooth and Mouth Care

5 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  80%
4 star (1) 
  20%

Posted by Vicky (Ohio) on 03/02/2017
★★★★★

I couldn't live without activated charcoal. It is so good for so many things. I buy a box of 100 cheap tea bags, I cut the top off of them and dump out the tea and discard. I then put about a teaspoon of activated charcoal in the empty bag, fold over the top and tape it with scotch tape. I keep them sealed in an air tight container. If I get any tooth or gum pain, sore throat or signs of thrush I wet one of of the charcoal filled bags and place on the sore area, I change it after several hours or even sleep with it in all night. AMAZING!! This stuff really works! I have also wet the bags and put on bee stings etc. Just remember charcoal only works when it is kept wet, so if you are using it for a bite or sting you need to keep the bag moist by covering it with some type of plastic wrap etc.

Replied by Debbie
(London)
02/21/2018
★★★★★

Hi, I've been doing exactly the same and it's brilliant. I've been suffering with an abcess which I have used the same method on and it really helps. The only thing, which has thrown me a bit, is I've just read that the paper used for the teabags contain plastic in them! Nightmare! I've decided to start using coffee filter paper instead.


Tooth and Mouth Care
Posted by Patricia (Las Vegas, Nv, Us) on 07/08/2011
★★★★★

Thanks to some other posts about making a paste from either charcoal or slippery elm and applying to your tooth, I've come up with another strategy. I took a paper coffee filter and cut it in strips a little more than an inch wide. I fold it so there is room to fold a small section over the top like a long, skinny evelope. I add either the charcoal or the slippery elm then fold over the top. Wet the strip with water. Then I cut it into smaller strips- about an inch and place between my lip and gumline.

Dealing with a dental infection and cavitation issues- this was a miracle. I could feel it start to draw immediately. I make a few long strips up at a time, wet them to seal it and cut them to the size I want as needed.


Tooth and Mouth Care
Posted by Jenlyn (Colo Springs, Co) on 02/28/2010
★★★★☆

Had severe tooth pain. Had charcoal on hand and tried a paste with water and 4 broken capsules. The pain when I applied the guaze definitely lessened. I still plan on seeing a dentist, but it is a Sunday and at least it is temporary relief.


Tooth and Mouth Care
Posted by Keith (Orlando, FL) on 10/05/2006
★★★★★

Was reading the remedies and just wanted to add the following: I am a medical missionary that uses natural methods of healing. I encounter several different diseases and sickness in my line of work.

One remedy that I have never seen fail for toothache pain, is charcoal. It will stop severe toothache pain in about 20-45 minutes in most cases! I will give you an example with my wife. She begin to have tootheache pain last year (2005) around the time of thanksgiving. She began to call dentists for an appointment; however, the soonest that she could get an appointment was 2 weeks! To make a long story short, the pain became unbearable. It radiated all the way to her temple on the side of the bad toothe.

So I took activated charcoal, added a little water, stirred to a paste consistency, placed it on a gauze(a piece of cotton t-shirt could also be used) and placed it directly over the toothe. I had her press down very gently. I then offered a prayer.

In about 12-15 minutes the pain that was radiating up to her temple begin to subside. In about 20-30 minutes my wife, who had been in such great pain, that she was in tears, and was unable to even sleep, dropped off to sleep.

The next day we also started her on a program of drinking 2-3 glasses per day of a table spoon of the charcoal mixed with a glass of water. She did evidentally go to the dentist only to find that a small cavity had exposed a nerve, and infection had set in.

The charcoal worked on the infection because it is the inflammation that causes the pain. So by pulling or drawing the poisons from the infection(the underlying cause) the inflammation is addressed.

A friend of mine, who is also a very experienced medical missionary, with more than 30 years of hands on experience, even running a natural clinic in Tennessee for a long time, and having a 45-50% success rate with 4 stage cancer, (conventional success rate with 4th stage cancer is about 5%" gives the following alternative for toothache pain and abcess.

These are direct quotes: "Mix 3 tablespoons charcoal,1/2 teaspoon clove oil, 1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon olive oil (enough to make a paste), and 1 teaspoon of golden seal. He states: " This remedy is strictly for pain in the jaw or tooth pain. Pack this around the tooth that is giving you problems. If you can cover the tooth up it will generate heat. That will remove the pain faster than any toothache remedy. Try it. You will feel the heat and you can go wash your mouth out. If you are in a lot of pain the heat is comforting. The pain of the poultice drawing is less than the throbbing of the toothache.[The mixture] should be quite thick, about the consistency of natural peanut butter. You want to be able to mould it around the tooth, so that it will stick."

The next is for an abcess specifically.

His words: "If you have an abscess with a lot of swelling, you cannot get that tooth pulled until you get the abscess under control. This recipe is famous for getting that abscess down 3 parts Slippery Elm, 2 parts baking yeast, 4 drops cloves, 1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Add a little water, enough to make a paste. It will be gummy due to the slippery elm. Then pack this mixture around the gum. The slippery elm, like charcoal, draws the inflammation, the cayenne stimulates the cells around the tooth to release toxins and the cloves are added for the reputation as a pain remedy, especially in toothache.


Upset Stomachs

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Helen (Houston, Texas) on 05/16/2009
★★★★★

I just had my gallbaldder removed and I have been so sick and can't sleep.....miserable....I got some charcoal tablets and now feel alot better and can sleep......I recommend this for upset stomachs instead of baking soda and other remedies at the pharmacy....charcoal works! Helen D.


Viruses, Charcoal and Cayenne

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by John Bayne (New Zealand) on 03/03/2008
★★★★★

Hello Deidre. My name is John Bayne and I have been interested in cayenne pepper ever since 1991 when I was discharged from Auckland Hospital, after my third and final episode, in about March 1991, of duodenal hemorrhages, after 8 days and 4 transfusions later, and still losing about a pint of blood a day in passing Melina stools, without any reason given, but I knew that it had to do with my refusal to have an operation (no operation no transfusions). The very day I arrived home, on a Sunday, wondering what I would do, a friend gave me two capsules of the hottest cayenne pepper that I have ever seen to date (they advertised them as African Bird Pepper) and I never have seen a Melina since. About six weeks later the surgeon, who had kept me waiting about an hour and a half to soften me up, nearly choked when he saw that my blood pressure was normal, and of course had no desire to know how I had overcome me slow bleeding to death that their cimetidine had been unable to stop. Charcoal is definitely prolife as is shown by the fact that it can take the hottest tincture or powder without any apparent diminishing in its power to kill flu viruses. Usually take only 20 minutes with a cayenne 150,000 or over, to get rid of headache symptoms 100% of the time over 12 years with quite a few people as we have spread the word.

I have been getting my powdered charcoal from within NZ, but considering that I now use the Internet I am looking for other sources in case this one dries up.

So you sell powdered charcoal and in 1KG lots, and if so how much, and what is the range of sizes. Is the charcoal, only the right kinds of wood, no non vegetarian products such as bones. I would think that the right kind of wood, from a tree, is what I am looking for, for consumption of course.

My main use if to take the sting out of the cayenne, tincture or powder, when dealing with flu, especially, it works every time (for the last 12 years since I discovered the use of charcoal with it). Just as important I am finding it exceedingly difficult to find sources for genuine full strength African Bird's eye pepper, in powder or tincture, as near to 300,000 British Thermal Units. Unlike Dr Richard Schultz, my preference in cayenne is for the Bird's Eye pepper over the Habanera.

Can you get hold of this pepper in a bulk like quantity or in industrial strength tincture (with the water removed without heat), and in a larger amounts than usual but not at a price that would cause me to mortgage my house. If so could you give me data on the amounts, hopefully strengths in BTU's if you can, and prices.

Much appreciated.

PS: For nearly 15 years I had a wonderful supply from a local herbalist who used to import this industrial strength dehydrated cayenne tincture, and I found that there is containers full of full strength Bird's Eye pepper for sale in internationally, @about US$70.000 a container load about $4.00/kilo and on the other end much weaker cayenne at anything up to $100/kilo on the consumer's level and I am looking to intercept this special cayenne, if I can before it goes exponential or gets watered down, and charged more for. We can save lives with this and certainly not with anything under 150,000 BTU's so I would much appreciate it if you can be of any assistance.

Replied by John
(New Zealand)
03/04/2008
★★★★★

It is like a well known saying declares "Truth is stranger than fiction."

I have seen people over the last 12 years react both ways, the skeptical go on suffering and the open minded get the same benefit as myself.

For those too far away to see me personally and try these things out, I would say this, "That at the end of the day personal judgment that is built up on the solid rock of knowledge plus experience, enables one to tell with much greater certainty than those who haven't bothered, which of the only three possible categories that I and what I am claiming fall under. A lie, some form of delusion or the truth.

It is easy to tell if you are truthful yourself and organized because of another self evident truth: "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."

So if I pass consistency tests in my explanations and even better if you happen to be very honest yourself (It is true that it takes one to know one, so that if one has the Spirit of Truth in them they certainly can recognize someone else that does) but for the benefit of those yet to aspire to that blessed moral estate, but who well could, given time, the consistency test is as effective, as it is readily available, to people that are consistently truthful themselves, after all it is a privilege to know the truth at any time.

So, essentially, for me, as an illustration of what I am saying: "When I read the Bible, I come to the conclusion that the people that wrote down each book come across as; too honest to be lying, too wise to be fooled, leaving only the option that they are telling the truth."

In conclusion this is my account of why cayenne pepper 150,000 - 300,000 BTU's kills the flu virus in significant numbers within 20 minutes, and with the use of activated powdered charcoal, is able to continue to do this, yet without hardly any hint of a burning sensation while yet maintaining the same power to kill the flu virus, as though one had taken the same amount of cayenne without the charcoal. It is one thing to know that powerful cayenne tincture or powder is sudden death to the flu virus that attacks so many tens of millions or more times a year around the globe, but just as vital is that mixing of it in a ratio of at least 1cay:4char making this remedy available to everyone other than the "super human's" that only could prefer the hot mix to the flu symptoms, besides, those kind of freaks of nature are unlikely to succumb to the flu anyway, so you can see how important the inclusion of charcoal is, if the remedy is to be of any use to the average person that has too much apprehension of the burn to take it in sufficient quality and quantity to kill the flu virus.

Fact one is merely a matter of observance: That if one is fortunate enough to be in a position to take at least one heap teaspoon of African Bird's Eye pepper (good quality and condition that is), and it has been mixed with at least four equally heaped teaspoons of activated powdered charcoal, and even better, had at least one to four spoonfuls of powdered barley green added (making sure that there is enough water in the mix to make a watery slurry rather than a paste, because this is to be drunk not eaten), that aesthetically removes the grittiness and helps lessen the need for as much charcoal, if it has been obviously a flu virus, the headache and fever symptoms drop off 100%, with loose stools possibly remaining, for 3-7 days but more in the case of the less serious flues. It seems, to my experience, that the more deadly flues have been the easiest to kill. Like the common cold the milder and more common varieties seem to cause diarrhea (although losing headache and fever just as quickly, as the more serious strains).

Fact two is: Anyone denying this assertion, while at the same time not supplying a better account, for why this observable fact one occurred, is telling us more about themselves (and the insufficient way that they view the world) rather than truthfully disproving the efficiency of cayenne and charcoal to painlessly and healthfully solve a very uncomfortable problem with horrible headaches, fever and loss of work time either in the work force, home care or the school attendance.

Just think of the number of hours lost to a nation's economy from all of the strains of the flu virus alone let alone other possible "bugs" that this remedy could also deal to. One I know for sure is pneumonia, which I think is bacillus. I think that it is unacceptable that there is many container loads of the best quality African Bird's Eye cayenne in the pods still exported from Africa at around $4/kilo, making $70,000 a container, to disappear into the confusion of middlemen, certainly never to be seen in health shops or such like where it can save lives more than as bottled hot chilli sauce or something useless like that.

Feel free to post anything that I say at any time. Like Martin Luther, I am prepared to stand for what I believe in and be honest enough to put it to any test, while assuming responsibility to either defeat all comers or admit if someone can really show me where I am wrong. You cannot lose with an honest attitude because where you are right you have offered an opportunity to your neighbour, where you are on an equal footing you experience the unparalleled joy of sharing with an equal, and where one is wrong one moves up higher than one could otherwise have moved (to a higher perspective) where the price is one of the highest (in terms of human ego in that one has to be prepared to accept being wrong enough to discard where one is wrong and substitute with what has shown up one's error). It is certainly true then that we learn from our mistakes and largely teach from the mistakes that we once made ourselves and still see others making.

Replied by Rocky Raccoon
(Humboldt, AZ)
10/01/2008

Did you ever find a source for ceyanne pepper (Bird's Eye Pepper)? I would like to purchase as well, but don't know where to find it. As you mentioned, by the time you find a source, the product is reduced to useless powder not yeilding any health benefits or so expensive you need to finance. You may email me direct if you like. Sincerely, RR

Idiot 13
(Ireland)
04/20/2023

Amazon supplies the bird eye chillies.

Replied by Connie
(Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA)
08/13/2009

John!! God bless you!! You are so correct. How fortunate we are that all the darkness in the universe cannot extinguish the light of a single flame. Capitalism may have temporarily quashed the benefits of Bird's Eye pepper for the majority of mankind, but God offered us a way, through you, to healing. Amazing. In our search for the Truth, in our attempts at achieving a perfect relationship with Jesus, it is soooo important to acknowledge our own weakness, to admit our own faults and our own inability to save ourselves. When the perfect man, Jesus, was crucified, it was proven that the old system of laws failed, else a perfect man could not have been condemned to death. When we truly put Him first, we naturally seek for the good of ALL mankind, and when that happens we will not be troubled by the fear of appearing foolish or making mistakes. Remember, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God."

Also, in my search for the truth, I notice there is some debate online as to whether African Bird's Eye peppers actually exist. Have you considered growing them for your own use, or to give away/sell in health food stores?

Replied by Patricia
(Las Vegas, Nv, Us)
07/08/2011

I am a huge fan of charcoal and just getting up to speed on cayenne. Drinking teas. In water with ACV right now. Am I reading this right- 1 part cayenne to 4 parts charcoal will take the heat out but interfere with the other properties?

Replied by Asis
(Kenya)
03/31/2017
★★★★★

@ John Wayne NZ post of 2008. ABE & activated Charcoal. I am currently a student of organic/bush medicine used by the kelenjin people of Kenya. While African birds eye ABE chilli is not part of this tribe's use, activated charcoal only from certain indeginous trees used to be a daily routine. I am an organic farmer of ABE & cayenne. The pharma world use it for medical purposes but not enough for theraupic purposes. One is better off with direct consumption for better results for a broad spectrum of illnesses from ulcers to heart problems.

Replied by Chris
(South Australia)
09/01/2017

Dear John from N.Z.

I read with interest your experience with african birds eye chilli. I have endevoured to find a source but its of little help without a botanical name of the chilli.
Are you aware of another way I may be able to source the chilli you refer to?

Regards Chris, Adelaide Australia

EC: Hi Chris,

Sorry, it's unlikely that John will respond since 9 years have passed since he posted. Perhaps someone else can advise...

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tn)
09/02/2017

See if you can find "capsicum annuum, " the scientific name.


Where to Buy

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 06/22/2015
★★★★★

For food poisoning and all sorts of other issues,

Here is where I get my activated charcoal -

http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/

I actually get two different types.

Hardwood Charcoal Powder is what I use for poultices. It is not quite so fine and "poofy" when I am mixing it up.

Coconut Shell Charcoal Powder is what I use for internal use. It is finer and less gritty when you mix it in water.

Both can be used internally and externally.

This company does sell charcoal tablets. They do have some fillers that I wish were not included, but sometimes a tablet is what is most convenient. (To lay against a sore tooth or for a toddler.) I have never had any trouble with them, though.

I have also bought charcoal capsules for convenience, which the only concern for some would be what is in the capsule itself. The only filling is the charcoal.

I have made some attempts to make my own charcoal tablets. They are really much more expensive than the powder. But so far my efforts have been futile! Perhaps I will try again. In my attempts though, I did find that charcoal adsorbs essential oils! I added some peppermint essential oil to my mix and when I cam back to my dry (but dreadfully crumbly) charcoal tablets, there was NO smell at all!

~Mama~



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