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Activated charcoal powder can alleviate excess gas and bloating, but it can also help treat accidental poisoning. When taking this supplement to soothe your GI tract, try mixing the powder into your beverage of choice or just taking a charcoal capsule orally. Since this powder neutralizes both medicines and toxins in the body, use caution when adding this ingredient to your health regimen. On an occasional basis, activated charcoal powder might be a great solution for your ailment!
Steps
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Drink the dissolved powder to relieve GI distress. If antacids and other over-the-counter medications don’t seem to help your stomach cramps and bloating, try using activated charcoal powder instead. Like other common medications and supplements, activated charcoal powder can be found at your local drugstore. [1] X Research source
- If you’re taking important medications, talk to your doctor before using this supplement.
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Pour a glass of water or juice between meals. Fill a medium-sized glass or cup with the beverage of your choice. Since you're taking activated charcoal powder as a treatment, opt for clear liquids like fruit juice or water. Get your drink ready several hours after your last meal, so your stomach is empty. [2] X Research source
- If you drink activated charcoal powder with food, you might end up feeling constipated later on.
- Since activated charcoal powder works as a bonding agent, it can bond and neutralize the nutrients in your food if you take it with a meal.
- Mix at least 10 millilitres (0.34 fl oz) of water or juice to dissolve your dose of activated charcoal powder. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Mix 2 capsules of charcoal into the beverage. Twist or cut open the capsule over the drink to release the charcoal powder. Use a spoon to mix the powder into the juice or water, allowing the charcoal to dissolve. Continue stirring until the charcoal appears fully dissolved, and no more powder is visible. [4] X Research source
- If you're giving the powder to children, double-check the bottle for dosage information.
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Drink the entire glass of activated charcoal mixture. Once the powder dissolves, drink all of the juice or water until the glass is empty. If there's any leftover charcoal powder at the bottom of the glass, pour in 1 cm (0.39 in) or so of water to dissolve the excess powder. Always double-check the glass to make sure you've drunk all the dissolved charcoal. [5] X Research source
- If you don't drink the entire dosage, the powder might not be as effective.
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Swallow activated charcoal capsules with a drink if you don’t want to taste it. Take the capsule orally in the same way that you'd take any other pillow capsule. Swallow 1 dose of the charcoal at a time, so you don't choke on pills accidentally. [6] X Research source
- Try taking the capsules with juice if you'd like to disguise the texture of the capsule in your mouth.
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Avoid taking other medicines within 2 hours of drinking this. Note any daily medications you take, and adjust your schedule to take them earlier or later in the day. Since activated charcoal works as a bonding agent, it can neutralize your medications if they’re taken close together. [7] X Research source
- If you're experienced gassiness or bloating immediately after taking your medication, opt for an antacid or other OTC treatment option.
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Don't take this supplement on a daily basis. Keep activated charcoal powder capsules in your home for emergencies or occasional use. You don't have any reason to take this medication unless you're suffering from bloating, or if you need to rapidly detox your body. Instead, use this powder sparingly, following the dosage instructions whenever you use it. [8] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- If you have a lot of issues with bloating and cramps, talk to your doctor. There might be a more productive, long-term solution that you can look into besides charcoal powder.
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Contact a poison control center or emergency room first for advice. Tell the poison control specialist or doctor about what poisonous substance you swallowed, how much you had, and how long ago you had it, if you know them. They will advise you how much activated charcoal you need or any additional steps you need to take for treatment. [9] X Research source
- If you’re in the United States, you can call 1-800-222-1222 to talk to Poison Control 24 hours a day.
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Mix a dose of activated charcoal with a glass of water. Use a standard 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) glass or water bottle to mix your solution. Pour a single dose of the powder into the glass or bottle and mix it together. If you’re using a glass, stir the solution with a spoon until it’s combined. If you have a bottle, put the cap on and shake it so the powder and water mix. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- If you’re a teenager or adult, use a 25–100 gram dose of activated charcoal.
- If you’re under the age of 12, take 25–50 grams of activated charcoal.
Warning: Don’t give an infant activated charcoal unless you’re under the supervision of a physician.
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Drink the entire glass of water to get the full dose. Take the whole dose as soon as you’re possible so it can start absorbing the toxins in your system. As you drink the mix, swirl and stir the glass so none of the charcoal settles on the bottom. If you still see charcoal at the bottom of the glass after you finish drinking it, fill the glass again and drink it to get the whole dose. [11] X Research source
- If you’ve been advised to take ipecac syrup as well as activated charcoal, take the ipecac syrup first and wait until you stop vomiting, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
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Don’t take other medications for 2 hours after a dose. Activated charcoal can absorb other medications in your system and make them ineffective. If you need to take a prescription medication, take it 2 hours before or after the activated charcoal so it has time to get into your system. [12] X Research source
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The Takeaway: Drinking Activated Charcoal
Mix a dose of activated charcoal powder with 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) of water and drink the entire mixture down. One dose of activated charcoal for adults and teenagers is 25-100 grams. For children under age 12, a single dose of activated charcoal is 25-50 grams.
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Things You’ll Need
- Medium-sized glass
- Water or juice
- Activated charcoal capsules
- Spoon
Tips
- Activated charcoal powder isn't as effective if you take it with chocolate syrup, sherbet, or ice cream, as these ingredients can cancel out the powder’s effects. [13] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- Contact a Poison Control center or emergency before using activated charcoal for accidental poisoning to get advice from a professional.Thanks
- Charcoal is not the same as activated charcoal. Activated charcoal has been treated with oxygen while regular charcoal has not.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/health/activated-charcoal-improve-health/
- ↑ https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/health/activated-charcoal-improve-health/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482294/
- ↑ https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/health/activated-charcoal-improve-health/
- ↑ https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09278
- ↑ https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/health/activated-charcoal-improve-health/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/mtm/activated-charcoal.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/269.html
- ↑ https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09278
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