25 Comments
User's avatar
Timothy Winey's avatar

I have been using activated charcoal for years. Researchers gave charcoal to rats and doubled, that's right, doubled, their lifespan. The theory is that it served like a 2nd liver and mopped up toxins the body couldn't.

Judy.  Electrifried's avatar

Just what we need... longer living rats! :)

This information is incredible. I believe one of the main differences between people who get sick and people who don't is toxin load.

I think charcoal is underrated, and practitioners tend to encourage clients to buy more expensive, more exotic binders when it isn't necessary. Considering that the majority of Americans have fatty livers... realizing that we get sick when our livers are over burdened and can no longer process out the toxins from our food and environment... Simply taking charcoal likely would lessen the load on the liver and improve overall health.

Some practitioners have recommended that people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease take charcoal. Also, I'm thinking that it might be protective against EMFs/radiation. During "Covid" some of the supplements that were helpful were things that support the liver.

Jan's avatar

How much water do you take and when do you take it? I was taking it 2 hours after breakfast and making sure at least an hour before another meal. Then a couple of 500 mg. before bed. I think I need to bump up the water. I don’t enjoy drinking water so it’s hard.

Timothy Winey's avatar

1 heaping tablespoon of very fine powder in 1 liter of water. Mix outside as the powder can harm the lungs if airborn.

Jan's avatar

I can’t do the powder. I have the 500+ mg caps. I think it’s timing that concerns me. Thanks!

ABIGAIL REPORTS's avatar

Vets use charcoal on pets who consume questionable things like human pills, Pot, or plants.

Jane's avatar

Both Carbo Veg and Carbo Animalis are frequently used by homeopaths. http://www.homeoint.org/clarke/c/carb_veg.htm

If the black pill/powder version cannot be taken the homeopathic preparation will do the same job. Carbo Veg is also called ‘the corpse reviver’.

Sunface Jack's avatar

Activated charcoal should be used in car exhausts before the catalyst converter

CM Maccioli's avatar

Brings to mind the time my standard Poodle ate mushrooms and within a very short time became paralytic, could not use his hind legs to elevate stairs. My sister panicked so I took Aramis to the vet and was told he had lyme disease but I needed a $450. test to confirm. I left, did not approve the test and he recovered quickly. I didn't know about charcoal. Thanks to this article I now know and will keep on hand.

TexasRed's avatar

This reminded me of someone who wrote that using activated charcoal corrected their post-covid health problems.

Jan's avatar

Since modern whole grains in the US are not fit for eating and closer to a toxiciant than healthful food, I would certainly not eat those. I would have to take charcoal to limit the damage. Is this an old book? Charcoal has helped me with bloating and interested in trying it for some other things. I ordered the book.

Jerome Armstrong's avatar

Works great to brush your teeth with too!

Gecko1's avatar

Charcoal is carbon. Our overlords want a zero carbon future. Stock up on those tablets now! 😀

Judy.  Electrifried's avatar

We are "carbon based units" ... Ala Star Trek.

Carbon based units are to be replaced by graphene oxide units... Hmm.

Paul Repstock's avatar

Thank you! I make my own charcoal (As anyone can) I am not convinced of the need for "Activating"? My charcoal works just fine for anything from upset stomach, to external poultices, and dental poultices (for tooth aches) 1/2 half teaspoon of 100 mesh powder can easily be stirred into a serving of yogurt for those who have problems swallowing?

TexasRed's avatar

Thank you for covering things like this. Evidently activated charcoal is much more versatile than I thought! I really appreciate this format you’re using, too. It makes the information so accessible/digestible.

Fraulein Zen's avatar

Currently using charcoal and bentonite clay mix. Functional medicine doctor recommended because of toxin load and high cholesterol. Numbers are going down! Curious about the iodine mentioned as dangerous and charcoal effectively clears. This is not the iodine you discussed earlier this week, the iodine in seaweed, is it? I thought that was good for us!

Russell Wendell's avatar

I had the same question! I take nascent iodine daily. Global Healing’s version.

RealityCheck's avatar

Hello, how do you take the charcoal and bentonite mix?

Fraulein Zen's avatar

Yes, I take Ultra Binder Universal Toxin. Dietary Fiber ... 1g

Fiber/Clay Proprietary Blend ... 1.36g

Fibregum™ Bio (gum Arabic), Zeolite, Sodium Bentonite Clay

Proprietary Blend ... 2.64g

Activated Charcoal, Chitosan, BioAloe® Aloe Vera leaf, Silica extract†.