The Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Activated Charcoal

The health benefits of activated charcoal are many, but unfortunately we live in a time where we run to the doctor for every bump, scratch, scrape, and bruise. In cases of emergencies, it may be necessary to go to the hospital or seek help of a physician, but not in all cases. Activated charcoal can help with many problems.

Dr. Christopher, one of the most renowned herb ologists to live in the 20th century, said if he had to choose only two herbs of all the herbs, he would choose cayenne pepper and activated charcoal (and charcoal isn’t even an herb).

WHAT IS ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Water filters use activated charcoal, medicines that selectively remove toxins, and chemical purification processes also use activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is carbon treated with oxygen. The treatment results in a highly porous charcoal. These tiny holes give the charcoal a surface area of 300-2,000 m2/g, allowing liquids or gases to pass through the charcoal and interact with the exposed carbon.

The carbon adsorbs a wide range of impurities and contaminants,including chlorine, odors, and pigments. Carbon does not filter out other substances, like sodium, fluoride, and nitrates. The carbon molecules do not attract them.

Because absorption works by chemically binding the impurities to the carbon, the active sites in the charcoal eventually become filled. Activated charcoal filters become less effective with use and have to be regenerated or replaced. Several factors influence the effectiveness of activated charcoal. The pore size and distribution varies depending on the source of the carbon and the manufacturing process. It absorbs large organic molecules better than smaller ones. Absorption increases as pH and temperature decrease.

Chemical Regeneration

Soak the activated charcoal in a solution of 9 to 10 percent hydrogen peroxide. Where gloves when handling the peroxide solution as it can cause burns. You can also use distilled deionized water instead of the hydrogen peroxide solution.

Stir the mixture every 15 minutes.

When the charcoal has absorbed the solution, add more peroxide to the container. Repeat this several times.

Spread the charcoal thinly on a baking sheet and bake in an oven at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour or two.

WHAT MEDICINAL PURPOSES IS ACTIVATED CHARCOAL USED FOR

See 2 Selected Messages…use of remedies pp. 286-291 and Sister White’s Personal Experiences Using Remedies pg. 292-303. (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 286-303)

• Inflammation of the Bowels and Bloody Dysentery: A Rapid Recovery. — A brother was taken sick with inflammation of the bowels and bloody dysentery. The man was not a careful health reformer, but indulged his appetite. We were just preparing to leave Texas, where we had been laboring for several months, and we had carriages prepared to take away this brother and his family, and several others who were suffering from malarial fever. My husband and I thought we would stand this expense rather than have the heads of several families die and leave their wives and children unprovided for.  {2SM 299.1} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 299, paragraph 1)

• Two or three were taken in a large spring wagon on spring mattresses. But this man who was suffering from inflammation of the bowels, sent for me to come to him. My husband and I decided that it would not do to move him. Fears were entertained that mortification had set in. Then the thought came to me like a communication from the Lord to take pulverized charcoal, put water upon it, and give this water to the sick man to drink, putting bandages of the charcoal over the bowels and stomach. We were about one mile from the city of Denison, but the sick man’s son went to a blacksmith’s shop, secured the charcoal, and pulverized it, and then used it according to the directions given. The result was that in half an hour there was a change for the better. We had to go on our journey and leave the family behind, but what was our surprise the following day to see their wagon overtake us. The sick man was lying in a bed in the wagon. The blessing of God had worked with the simple means used. Letter 182, 1899 {2SM 299.2} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 299, paragraph 2)

• Eye Inflammation/Bruised Hands/Inflammation: One of the most beneficial remedies is pulverized charcoal, placed in a bag and used in fomentations. This is a most successful remedy. If wet in smartweed boiled, it is still better. I have ordered this in cases where the sick were suffering great pain, and when it has been confided to me by the physician that he thought it was the last before the close of life. Then I suggested the charcoal, and the patient slept, the turning point came, and recovery was the result. To students when injured with bruised hands and suffering with inflammation, I have prescribed the simple remedy, with perfect success. The poison of inflammation was overcome, the pain removed, and healing went on rapidly.

• The most severe inflammation of the eyes will be relieved by a poultice of charcoal, put in a bag, and dipped in hot or cold water, as will best suit the case. This works like a charm. {2SM 294.2} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 294, paragraph 2)

• Fever: On one occasion a physician came to me in great distress. He had been called to attend a young woman who was dangerously ill. She had contracted fever while on the campground, and was taken to our school building near Melbourne, Australia. But she became so much worse that it was feared she could not live. The physician, Dr. Merritt Kellogg, came to me and said, “Sister White, have you any light for me on this case? If relief cannot be given our sister, she can live but a few hours.” I replied, “Send to a blacksmith’s shop, and get some pulverized charcoal; make a poultice of it, and lay it over her stomach and sides.” The doctor hastened away to follow out my instructions. Soon he returned, saying, “relief came in less than half an hour after the application of the poultices. She is now having the first natural sleep she has had for days. {2SM 295.2} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 295, paragraph 2)

• Indigestion: Teach nurses and patients the value of those health-restoring agencies that are freely provided by God, and the usefulness of simple things that are easily obtained. I will tell you a little about my experience with charcoal as a remedy for some forms of indigestion, it is more efficacious than drugs. A little olive oil into which some of this powder has been stirred tends to cleanse and heal. I find it is excellent. Pulverized charcoal from eucalyptus wood we have used freely in cases of inflammation…. {2SM 298.4-5} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 298, paragraph 4-5)

• Snake Bites/Poisonous Reptile Stings/Insect Bites: My mother had told me that snake bites and the sting of reptiles and poisonous insects could often be rendered harmless by the use of charcoal poultices… (2SM 295.3} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 295, paragraph 3)

• Swelling And Pain On The Knee From A Dangerous Insect Bite On An 18-Month-Old: Charcoal and Flaxseed. —“…On Thursday Sister Sara McEnterfer [a trained nurse of experience] was called to see if she could do anything for Brother B’s little son, who is eighteen months old. For several days he has had a painful swelling on the knee, supposed to be from the bite of some poisonous insect. Pulverized charcoal, mixed with flaxseed, was placed upon the swelling, and this poultice gave relief at once. The child had screamed with pain all night, but when this was applied, he slept. Today she has been to see the little one twice. She opened the swelling in two places, and a large amount of 3 yellow matter and blood was discharged freely. The child was relieved of its great suffering. We thank the Lord that we may become intelligent in using the simple things within our reach to alleviate pain, and successfully remove its cause. Manuscript 68, 1899 (General Manuscript) {2SM 299.3} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 299, paragraph 3)

There are many other uses. Some of these include pyorrhea, gingivitis, tumors, to whiten teeth, and many other uses…

To learn more, go to www.charcoalremedies.com, and/or read the book titled “Charcoal.”

Charcoal Poultice Demonstration

CHARCOAL POULTICE DIRECTIONS

Charcoal is an adsorbent and will absorb up to 300 times its own weight and various gases. It is very useful as an antiseptic because of its adsorbing and oxidizing qualities. It acts like a magnet, attracting substances to itself and holding them tightly on to its surface.

Charcoal draws the poisons into itself and neutralizes it. Nothing else does it. Hospitals use it for poisons. It was used in WW1 in gas masks and in water filters.

Internal……………. for indigestion, diarrhea, gas, and fermentation.

External…………….. stings or bites, gangrene, old ulcers, and sores

Good to mix with something that will hold it in suspension:

Ground flax seed, cornstarch, oats, Metamucil (psyllium) is also a drawer, good to add to charcoal.

Charcoal Poultice Supplies: BE CAREFUL, CHARCOAL STAINS!

1. 3 parts activated charcoal powder
2. 2 parts warm water
3. 1 part ground flaxseed, corn starch, psyllium seed husk (can find this at most health food stores)
4. Bowl (charcoal will stain plastic bowls)
5. Wire whip or fork
6. Chux (blue under pad), old sheet material, or paper towel
7. Plastic wrap (if you use sheet material)
8. Bandage tape (1 inch width for small poultice, three-inch width for medium and large poultices).
9. Rolling pin.

Uses

1. Stomach and Intestinal Distress
2. Inflammation
3. Pain
4. Infection from Bacteria
5. Snake Bite
6. Spider Bite
7. Poisoning of all kinds
8. Adsorption of Chemicals
9. Washing Chemicals
10. Detoxifying the body

Steps to Make the Poultice

1. Briskly whip charcoal powder, flaxseed, and warm water with whip or fork, adding water occasionally until charcoal mixture becomes the consistency of thick jelly. Use a little extra water if needed to get this consistency.
2. (If using Chux, skip to step 3). Cut material to size desired for poultice. Leave room for a 1-inch margin between charcoal and poultice edge. Place cloth on plastic wrap cut to the same size.
3. Spread charcoal mixture on material or Chux thick enough to cover cloth–about as thick as spreading creamy peanut butter on bread. Be sure to leave a 1 inch margin to allow room for tape. If using Chux, lift the thin transparent layer on top and spread charcoal underneath on the white quilted surface; then replace the top layer.
4. Seal outer edges of poultice with tape.
5. Place poultice gently on the area to be treated. Cover with plastic wrap, then secure well with an ace bandage. Leave on for 3–4 hours, overnight or according to physician’s directions.
6. If using for pain, leave on overnight for several hours during the day. If using on spider or snake bites, change every 15-20 minutes.

Removal of contaminants are more effective if they are in contact with the activated charcoal for a longer time, so flow rate through the charcoal affects filtration.

Hands-on video of another way to make a charcoal poultice:

Bible Quotes

3 John 2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Jeremiah 46:11

Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.

Jeremiah 30:13

… thou hast no healing medicines.  

Ezekiel 47:12

…the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

Spirit of Prophecy Quotes (Ellen White)

The Lord has given some simple herbs of the field that at times are beneficial; and if every family were educated in how to use these herbs in case of sickness, much suffering might be prevented, and no doctor need be called.These old- fashioned, simple herbs, used intelligently, would have recovered many sick who have died under drug medication.  {2SM 294.1} (Ellen White, Selected Messages Book 2, page 294, paragraph 1)

Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge. {MH 127.2} (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 127, paragraph 2)

It is not a denial of faith to use such remedies as God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration…We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws… {MH 231.3} (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 231, paragraph 3)

When the abuse of health is carried so far that sickness results, the sufferer can often do for himself what no one else can do for him. The first thing to be done is to ascertain the true character of the sickness and then go to work intelligently to remove the cause. If the harmonious system has become unbalanced by overwork, overeating, or other irregularities, do not endeavor to adjust the difficulties by adding a burden of poisonous medicines. {MH 235.1} (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 235, paragraph 1)

WHY NOT?

By the use of poisonous drugs, many bring upon themselves lifelong illness, and many lives are lost that might be saved by the use of natural methods of healing. {MH 126.4} (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 126, paragraph 4)

There are many ways of practicing the healing art; but there is only one way that heaven approves. God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. (CD 301.2) (Ellen White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 235, paragraph 1)

 … Teach the people that restorative power is not in drugs, but in nature… (MH 127.1} (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 127, paragraph 1)

People need to be taught that drugs do not cure disease… {MH 126.3} (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 126, paragraph 3)

VERY IMPORTANT: THE PEN OF INSPIRATION NEVER SUPPORTED THE USE OF DRUG MEDICATION

In regard to the book on Christian Temperance, that portion that was expressed in reference to drug medication as though it was recommended by me is not according to the light that I have been given to present to the people. I must, if I made this statement, have done so in expressing the idea of working away from the use of all drugs concocted at the apothecary (pharmacy). We have no use for them. We should not vindicate the use of drug medication… (20MR 36.2} (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases Vol. 20, page 36, paragraph 2)

BOOK ABBREVIATIONS by Ellen G. White (See EGW Abbreviations tab under the FAQ menu for a full list)

Disclaimer

Only a physician can diagnose, treat, and prescribe for illness and disease. Living by the Blueprint neither diagnoses nor treats disease. We have provided this material as public information to explore the outcomes of natural remedies. Because of certain laws and restrictions, we must tell you that the information provided is not to diagnose, claim to prevent, mitigate, or cure such conditions. If you are ill, have any disease, are pregnant, or are trying to improve your health, we must tell you to consult a medical doctor for medical advice, treatment, and services.

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