Page 288 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Household Remedies

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is very fine and porous. It is an ef- the brown recluse, use a mixture of equal parts acti-
fective way to remove toxins and poisons from the vated charcoal and coconut oil. Mix them together and
body. It reduces bloating, traps toxins and gases so cover the bite and a wide surrounding area with the
they don’t get absorbed by the body, and acts as an an- mixture. Cover with a bandage to prevent staining
tidote to some poisons. clothes. The poison from the bites moves into the tis-
sue surrounding the bites, so a wide area around the
Medicinal Use. Detoxify the Body: Activated bite needs to be covered with the activated charcoal.
charcoal has tiny pores throughout that attract and After two to three hours, rinse the area well and reap-
traps toxins in the body. The toxins bind to the acti- ply. Repeat the application until the inflammation is
vated charcoal and pass through the body. To use acti- gone and the wound is healing. For insect bites, apply
vated charcoal to detoxify the body, take 10 grams of a small dab of the mixture, repeating every hour until
activated charcoal approximately 1 to 2 hours before the sting is gone. If it’s a serious poisonous bite be sure
each meal. Do this for two to three days. Drink 12 to 15 to seek medical attention.
glasses of water per day during your cleanse. If you be-
come constipated, drink a glass of warm water with Acne: Treat acne with activated charcoal mixed with
lemon and raw honey every half hour until the consti- aloe vera gel. Smooth the mixture over the affected ar-
pation is gone. eas and let dry. Then rinse off completely. I prefer to
treat the entire area, but it can also be used for spot
Poisoning: Activated charcoal is useful for removing treatments. Activated charcoal can also be mixed into
chemical poisons that have been ingested. Organic poi- soap and body wash for use in affected areas.
sons such as pesticides, fertilizer, bleach, and mercury
bind to the surface of the charcoal, preventing absorp-
tion in the body. It is also used it to prevent the absorp-
tion of an accidental or intentional overdose of drugs.
It is effective against the ingestion of overdoses of as-
pirin, acetaminophen, opium, cocaine, and morphine.
Charcoal must be administered quickly, within an hour
of ingestion, and in quantity. The sooner the better and
get medical help immediately. For adults, a large dose
of 50 to 100 grams is required and 10 to 25 grams for
children. Charcoal must be taken with a large quantity
of water. When to Avoid Activated Charcoal: Do not
use activated charcoal in cases of poisoning by petro-
Food Poisoning: Many people do not realize that leum, alcohol, lye, acids and other corrosive chemicals.
activated charcoal is useful for the treatment of nausea Do not take activated charcoal if you are taking pre-
and diarrhea in cases of food poisoning. Adults take 25 scription medications. It can interfere with some med-
grams of activated charcoal and children need 10 ications. Consult your doctor for more information on
grams. Take the charcoal with large quantities of water your medication.
immediately upon suspicion of food poisoning. Larger
doses may be needed. Warning: Activated charcoal is not the same as bar-
becue charcoal. Barbecue charcoal should never be
Snake Bites, Poisonous Spider Bites, and consumed. Drink 12 to 15 glasses of water daily when
Insect Stings: For snake and poisonous spider taking activated charcoal. The water prevents dehydra-
bites, including bites from the black widow spider and tion and constipation caused by the activated charcoal.

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