Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal - What is it?
We started using activated charcoal many years ago and have since used it for countless issues. Originally, we had found we had allergies and the doctor that did our testing recommended 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a bit of water to relieve food allergy symptoms. This worked quite well, but of course, the taste was not to our liking. At some later point in time, we were exposed to activated charcoal which is known to absorb gases, heavy metals, poisons, and other chemicals, thus making them ineffective and harmless. Doctors still use it today as a healing agent, an antidote for poisons, and an effective treatment for indigestion and gas. So, I started thinking, why wouldn't it absorb the offending food or chemical I was reacting to? Well, it does and it works wonderfully. I admit that at first, I might have abused it just to be able to eat something I normally couldn't, but then of course things leveled out.
I know that most people don't consider reactions to food - allergies, but that's how I look at it. So call it what you want - sensitivity or allergy, to me they are the same when it comes to foods. I once had a nurse tell me I wasn't having an allergic reaction to a medication in the hospital as I didn't have a rash! So the fact that I was vomiting and had the chills didn't mean anything to her!
We have also used charcoal for skin conditions, bee stings, etc.. One of my sons starts swelling immediately after a bee sting, so I started putting activated charcoal powder on a wet paper towel and apply it to the sting right away. It still swelled some and I did repeat applications, but it kept it at bay so that we didn't need to pursue further help.
We use chewable tablets for the younger children when necessary, for food type problems, and have also used powdered activated charcoal mixed in applesauce. Charcoal doesn't really have a taste, it's just black! I use the activated charcoal capsules. For the most part, one dose of 2 capsules works for me, but occasionally I take 2 doses. I have also used a bit of powdered charcoal mixed with water in a baby bottle because when we found we had allergies, it was common for the rest of our children to have sensitivities to things I ate while nursing them.
I just ran across a black salve quite by accident while browsing the internet and couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it before now. So, I immediately created some of my own and have been using it successfully for many things that I used to use a charcoal compress for. It is much easier to use and does the job just as well without the mess charcoal powder.
Find my Black salve(coming soon) and charcoal soap in my shops. Please visit my shops here - www.elegantroseboutique.etsy.com or http://store.elegantroseboutique.com/
CAUTION - Activated Charcoal will absorb medications, so if you are taking a medication please research more on how to use charcoal or if you should use it.
