Soothe Your Tummy with CHARCOAL

With this beautiful, new day comes a bright start after a long night for me.  It seems I got food poisoning after attending a soup supper last night. :-(  Without going into the details, there were stomach cramps, chills, and vomiting.  However, this is a perfect time to introduce my dear readers to a wonderful natural stomach remedy called Charcoal.

"Wait, you're talking about the stuff in my grill, right?" Yes, I am speaking of the same. However, it would be in your best interest to purchase activated charcoal from your local health food store. ;P Actually, some Hy-Vee pharmacies happen to carry activated charcoal as well!  Make sure the bottle you are considering purchasing reads "ACTIVATED Charcoal".  Charcoal is an amazing stomach aid which removes toxins from the body.  This includes germs, bad enzymes, and even poisons!  When taken on an empty stomach, the charcoal spreads out and absorbs the enzymes in your stomach that are causing the trouble.  Then, as the charcoal and harmful germs travel through your digestive tract, the charcoal masks the upsetting properties.  Charcoal is something I carry in my diaper bag at all times.  If I or someone I am with complains of a stomach ache, I am able to help. 

Activated Charcoal is even safe for infants. It is especially useful if a stomach bug is suspected of being the culprit of diarrhea.  However, KEEP TRACK OF THE DOSES (below).

Try Activated Charcoal for your next stomach flu, bout of diarrhea, incident with food poisoning, bloating, etc.  Also, note that you or your child's stools will be black in color and looser than normal, which is going to be a result of the black charcoal itself and the upsetting enzymes.  You should feel significant relief within the hour of taking your first dose or 2. :-)

Dose:
Infants
-break open one capsule and pour HALF into baby's bottle of milk/water. It is best to feed activated charcoal to her on an empty stomach, so try to use as little milk as possible.
-give above dose every 3-4 hours while symptoms persist, NOT EXCEEDING six times in a 24 hr period

Children
-break open or administer 1 capsule on an empty stomach
-give above dose every 3-4 hours while symptoms persist, again on as empty of a stomach as you can, NOT EXCEEDING six times in a 24 hour period.

Adults
-take 2 capsules with a glass of water on an empty stomach
-a good rule for the above is either 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours following a meal
-repeat every 3-4 hours while symptoms persist, but DO NOT EXCEED six doses in a 24 hour period