Charcoal is carbon. Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been treated with oxygen to open up millions of tiny pores between the carbon atoms.
One teaspoonful of it has a surface area of more than 10,000 square feet. This unique feature allows it to adsorb large amounts of chemicals or poisons.
The word adsorb is important here (as opposed to the word absorb). When a material adsorbs something, it attaches to it by chemical attraction. The huge surface area of activated charcoal gives it countless bonding sites. When certain chemicals pass next to the carbon surface, they attach to the surface and are trapped.
Activated charcoal is a fine, black, odorless, and tasteless powder. It is made from wood, nutshells, coconut shells, even animal bones (Uncle Harry's Activated Charcoal is only made from medicinal vegetable sources). It is created from materials that have been exposed to very high temperatures in an airless environment. It is then treated, or activated, to increase its ability to adsorb by reheating usually with oxygen to break it into a very fine powder. Activated charcoal is pure carbon specially processed to make it highly adsorbent of particles and gases in the body's digestive system.
Activated charcoal has often been used since ancient times to cure a variety of ailments including poisoning. Its healing effects have been well documented since as early as 1550 B.C. by the Egyptians. However, charcoal was almost forgotten until recently when it was rediscovered as a wonderful oral agent to treat most overdoses and toxins.
Description
Activated charcoal's most important use is for treatment of poisoning. It helps prevent the absorption of most poisons or drugs by the stomach and intestines. In addition to being used for most swallowed poisons in humans, charcoal has been effectively used in dogs, rabbits, rats, and other animals, as well. It can also adsorb gas in the bowels and has been used for the treatment of gas or diarrhea. Charcoal's other uses such as treatment of viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxic byproducts, snake venoms and other substances by adsorption have not been supported by clinical studies. By adding water to the powder to make a paste, activated charcoal can be used as an external application to alleviate pain and itching from bites and stings.
Poisons and drug overdoses
It is estimated that one million children accidentally overdose on drugs mistaken as candies or eat, drink, or inhale poisonous household products each year. Infants and toddlers are at the greatest risk for accidental poisoning. Activated charcoal is one of the agents most commonly used for these cases. It can absorb large amounts of poisons quickly. In addition, it is non-toxic, may be stored for a long time, and can be conveniently administered at home. Charcoal works by binding to irritating or toxic substances in the stomach and intestines. This prevents the toxic drug or chemical from spreading throughout the body. The activated charcoal with the toxic substance bound to it is then excreted in the stool without harm to the body. When poisoning is suspected the local poison control center should be contacted for instructions. They may recommend using activated charcoal, which should be available at home so that it can be given to the poisoned child or pet immediately. For severe poisoning, several doses of activated charcoal may be needed.
Intestinal disorders
In the past, activated charcoal was a popular remedy for gas. Even before the discovery of America by Europeans, Native Americans used powdered charcoal mixed with water to treat an upset stomach. Now charcoal is being rediscovered as an alternative treatment for this condition. Activated charcoal works like a sponge. Its huge surface area is ideal for soaking up different substances, including gas. In one study, people taking activated charcoal after eating a meal with high gas-producing foods did not produce more gas than those who did not have these foods. Charcoal has also been used to treat other intestinal disorders such as diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. There are few studies to support these uses and there are also concerns that frequent use of charcoal may decrease absorption of essential nutrients, especially in children.
Other uses
Besides being a general antidote for poisons or remedy for gas, activated charcoal has been used to treat other conditions as well. Based on its ability to adsorb or bind to other substances, charcoal has been effectively used to clean skin wounds and to adsorb waste materials from the gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal, when used together with other herbs such as aloe vera, acidophilus, and psyllium, helps to keep symptoms of ulcerative colitis under control. In addition, Activated Charcoal can remove unwanted toxins from the digestive system such as food additives, colorants and chemical preservatives which have accumulated over a period of time.
Recommended dosage
For poisoning
- Activated charcoal is available without prescription. However, in case of accidental poisoning or drug overdose an emergency poison control center, hospital emergency room, or doctor's office should be called for advice. In case that both syrup of ipecac and charcoal are recommended for treatment of the poison, ipecac should be given first. Charcoal should not be given for at least 30 minutes after ipecac or until vomiting from ipecac stops. Activated charcoal is often mixed with a liquid before being swallowed or put into the tube leading to the stomach. Keeping activated charcoal at home is a good idea so that it can be taken immediately when needed for treatment of poisoning.
- For acute poisoning, the dosage is as follows:
Infants (under 1 year of age): 1 g/kg.
Children (1-12 years of age): 15-30 g or 1-2 g/kg with at least 8 oz of water.
Adults: 30-100 g or 1-2 g/kg with at least 8 oz of water.
For diarrhea or gas
Notes:
Parents should keep activated charcoal on hand in case of emergencies.
Some activated charcoal products contain sorbitol. Sorbitol is a sweetener as well as a laxative, therefore, it may cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. These products should not be used in infants.
Charcoal may interfere with the absorption of medications and nutrients such as vitamins or minerals. For uses other than for treatment of poisoning, charcoal should be taken two hours after other medications/supplements.
Charcoal should not be used to treat poisoning caused by corrosive products such as lye or other strong acids or petroleum products such as gasoline, kerosene, or cleaning fluids. Charcoal may make the condition worse and delay diagnosis and treatment. In addition, charcoal is also not effective if the poison is lithium, cyanide, iron, ethanol, or methanol.
Activated charcoal may cause swelling or pain in the stomach. A doctor should be notified immediately. It has been known to cause problems in people with intestinal bleeding, blockage or those people who have had recent surgery.
Charcoal may be less effective in people with slow digestion.
Charcoal should not be given for more than three or four days for treatment of diarrhea. Continuing for longer periods may interfere with normal nutrition.
Charcoal should not be used in children under three years of age to treat diarrhea or gas.
Side effects
Charcoal may cause constipation when taken for overdose or accidental poisoning. A laxative should be taken after the crisis is over and extra water should be drunk.
Activated charcoal may cause the stool to turn black. This is to be expected.
Pain or swelling of the stomach may occur. A doctor should be consulted in an extreme situation.
References:
- Blumenthal, Mark. "Linden Charcoal." The Complete German Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines, American Botanical Council, Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998. http://home.mdconsult.com.
- Cooney, David. Activated Charcoal: Antidote, Remedy, and Health Aid. Brushton, NY: TEACH Services, Inc., 1999.
- Lacy Charles F., Lora L. Amstrong, Naomi B. Ingrim, and Leonard L. Lance. "Charcoal." The Drug Information Handbook Pocket Version: 1998-1999. Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp Inc., 1998.
- Roberts. "Activated.Charcoal" Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company, 1998: 726-8. http://home.mdconsult.com.
- Wilson, Billie A., Margaret T. Shannon, and Carolyn L. Stang. "Charcoal, Activated (Liquid Antidote)". Nurses Drug Guide 2000, Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 2000.