CHARCOAL: Poison absorber

Every household should have some charcoal on hand. No, not for an impromptu barbecue. For the medicine cabinet. Though it should never be considered a daily supplement, charcoal is the best poison remedy available, especially for drug overdoses.
Families that keep a ready supply of edible charcoal on band, studies prove, are far better equipped to treat accidental poisoning in children.

Charcoal will absorb just about anything – including, unfortunately, nutrients. That’s why it can’t be an everyday supplement, as well as why it can’t be considered an antidote for dietary indiscretions (eating a lot of sugar or drinking too much alcohol for example). It’s an excellent emergency treatment for food poisoning, however especially when combined with 2-4 drops of oil of oregano.

Many people take charcoal-based remedies to relieve flatulence, and it certainly is a blessing for occasional instances when intestinal gas is excessive or embarrassing. But charcoal is only a temporary palliative, addressing just the symptoms of a problem, not die cause. Flatulence is caused by poor digestion in the intestinal tract and the presence of bad bacteria. In the long run, supplements of digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria are a more effective approach.

SUPPLEMENT SUGGESTIONS

For a case of suspected poisoning, whether from food or a drug overdose, do not take some charcoal and assume everything will be okay. You still need to contact a doctor; a hospital accident and emergency department, or the local poison control centre. Taken repeatedly in large doses, charcoal may cause intestinal problems, which can be mitigated by consuming it along with some high-fibre food. As first aid for poisoning, a typical onetime dose would be 1 gram per kilogram, or 0.5 gram per 450 grams of body weight.