This Momma is in a hurry, just tell me what the secret is already!
Activated Charcoal is my secret to stopping the stomach bug in its tracks! When the stomach virus (stomach flu or stomach bug or gastroenteritis) is visiting your home, and you need to kick it out immediately there are lots of ways to stop the spread in your home, but the one I have found most effective by far is to prevent the spreading by stopping the vomiting with activated charcoal.
FIRST THINGS FIRST – THIS IS JUST MY RESEARCH AND EXPERIENCE. I’M NO DOCTOR, AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS RELY ON THE ADVICE OF YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. IF YOU HAVE ONGOING STOMACH ISSUES ACTIVATED CHARCOAL MAY NOT BE FOR YOU.
THE STOMACH BUG AND ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
I used to loathe the stomach virus or stomach flu. I still do really, but now I don’t sweat it as severely. At the first sign of stomach bug symptoms, I would quarantine the house. All children were confined to different rooms, followed into the bathroom for supervised handwashing, and strapped to a vomit bucket for the next 48 hours.
The stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) is so contagious because there are large amounts of the virus in an infected person’s vomit and feces. Only a tiny trace is needed to infect the next kid. And it can even spread airborne after vomiting.
Your best defense is to stop the vomiting. Activated charcoal is my weapon of choice.
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HOW I USE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL:
- Add a pinch of the charcoal powder to 4 oz of a glass of water. You can get it in capsule form which you can break open or you can get it already in a powder form.
- The sick child takes a few sips and lies down.
- If they vomit again within 15 mins, I make them sip more.
- Repeat if you need to but generally, this stops vomiting for the next 4 hours while they sleep!
- At the 4 hour mark, give them a few more sips.
- After 12 hours have passed, they are done taking doses and just need rest.
The activated charcoal helps the virus or toxin pass through the digestive system and out of the body through feces.
One more tip, just in case your vomit clean-up job wasn’t very good, don’t forget to take some for yourself!
Super Mom Picks Tip
Finding activated charcoal powder supplement in stores can be difficult. For this use, I strongly recommend the powder versus the capsules. I have tried to cut open the capsules to add to water, but it can be messy. You can find the powder here on Amazon.
SO YES, ACTIVATED CHARCOAL REALLY DOES HELP STOP THE STOMACH BUG
This natural remedy for stomach flu may or may not work for you, but I have found it to work consistently with my children over the years. If it doesn’t work after just one dose chances are that your vomiting and abdominal pain is more than a stomach bug and may in fact be food poisoning in which case I prefer for my children to get the unwanted substances out of their digestive tract. Additionally if you believe that your child has ingested poisonous materials please contact the poison control center vs trying do a treatment for poisoning at home. Again, I am not a healthcare professional so please consult your medical doctor for medical advice.
I always make sure to have some charcoal powder at home and keep a bottle of the capsules in my car. Please keep in mind that taking just one charcoal tablet will cause black stools and that is normal.
Here is a video that shows how it works
HERE ARE A FEW OTHER TIPS TO BEAT THE STOMACH BUG:
- Essential oils can be used to treat the stomach bug and ease some of the symptoms. You can use them topically or diffuse them into the air.
- Daily probiotics for your kids can decrease the chance they will come down with the stomach bug
- Good cleaning habits around the house including good handwashing can limit the spread of the stomach bug around your house once the first person gets sick.
Other Uses of Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a very versatile product with many uses for home remedies. Check out my post that covers lots of its uses.
The Best Activated Charcoal Products for Home Remedies
What is Activated Charcoal?
This black powder has been used for centuries as a natural remedy, from the Greeks to the Ancient Chinese, activated charcoal is known as a terrific absorbing agent that rids the body of harmful substances as it binds to substances and passes them through the digestive track safely. Known for its dark color and toxin clearing properties, charcoal has been used to filter water, clean the digestive tract, preventing gas, skincare, teeth whitening, and more. This supplement can also be used to absorb gas, cure a stomach ache and reduce bloating.
In general, activated charcoal has only one ingredient, charcoal. It can be purchased as charcoal powder or charcoal capsules if you prefer to take pills. It is basically carbon with a sponge-like structure which gives it the quality of absorption.
Activated charcoal is not the same material that you use in your charcoal grill! Grill charcoal or charcoal briquettes has not been “activated” and has many other additives. The activation process is done using very high heat that develops the pores or sponge-like quality.
Have you used Activated Charcoal as a remedy? Have you tried it on bug bites as a topical absorbent? If so, let me know about it in the comments below!
Wow! I knew activated charcoal was good for getting folks who have swallowed something poisonous to puke, but I would have never thought about it to serve this purpose! This just goes to show that you learn something new every day, truly. Thanks for sharing.
I am thankful to have not had to deal with a stomach bug with my kids as of yet. I am sure it will come and when it does I can try these tips and tricks. We may have not had a stomach bug but both my 1-year-old and 2 year old both have Hand, Foot and Mouth currently. It’s definitely not fun having any kind of sickness at home.
Wow I never knew this. Where do you find charcol powder at?
I have never heard of this before! Really good info. Thanks for writing this. I will definitely keep this as a reference for when my kids get sick. Hopefully I won’t need it this winter.
This is so helpful! I’ve always been a bit afraid of activated charcoal… just sounds dangerous right? But I think this time I’m going to get some because everything I’ve read about it is super beneficial.
I’ve never heard of ingesting charcoal. I’ve been super fortunate so far, as my kids don’t seem to be pukers. (The eldest puked the first time when she was 8 years old… and was at Brownie camp so I didn’t have to deal with it. But I’ll be tucking away this tidbit for future use in case Monkey or Fang need it.
Never would have thought of this! Does the activated charcoal have a funky taste to it? Do you find it hard to get your kids to drink the charcoal drink?
It has no yaste at all. I drink mine with regular water. My kids I add it to grape juice.
Wow! This is such a wonderful tip! I had no idea charcoal could be used for this! Fantastic tip!
This is a tip I have never been given! I hope I don’t ever need it, but so thrilled to have this remedy!
It is the worst when the stomach bug hits, love these tips to help out!!
Totally saving this for the future!
Ugh the stomach bug is the worst!! Thanks for sharing!
I love these tips! We just got done with being sick in our house and it was a long two weeks! I will have to keep this in mind for next time!
Josephine | Better as Us
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I haven’t given activated charcoal to my children yet when they’re sick, but I’ve found it to be super effective at preventing myself from catching it after taking care of my kids! This stuff is a miracle worker.
I have heard such amazing things about charcoal, but have never tried it. Will definitely give it a go!
I didn’t know about the activated charcoal. I have a very sensitive stomach which means that I will get easily stomach bugs. I will make sure to get some activated charcoal for my medicine med.
This is a great post for me as I have a weak stomach. I have to be very careful when I eat outside especially during my travel. I don’t dare to try street food much as I have a weak stomach.
I have an immune system deficiency that affect my gut so I get every tummy bug that goes around. I am excited to try the charcoal to see if I can shorten my recovery time
This is a great post. especially during the festive season when many have the stomach bug. I have heard that the charcoal powder is great, but never tried it.
Though I have not heard of it earlier but it sounds effective. Does it help adults too?
Wow activated charcoal. I know charcoal as many benefits each day learning new benefits of it. Very helpful post.
I hate having a stomach bug and I will try anything that might help it clear off. I’ll keep this in mind but I hope that I never have to use it 🙂
wow I didn’t know you could use charcoal for so many things let alone a stomach bug! I will def keep this in mind Thanks you much for sharing!
thank yu fr sharing your practical tips on how to deal with the stomach bug. Imust admit that i wasnt aware of such trick nto until ive read it here.
A friend of mine actually told me about this. I tried to use it when I had food poisoning, but I’m not sure it worked.
This is very helpful blog. Stomach bug is very bad. I am sharing/bookmarked this post for future. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward for more such blogs.
What a cool post! I was very unaware of how this could help. Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
This is such a helpful tips! My mom has always given me activated charcoal since I was a kid whenever we gotta kick out stomach virus. Thankfully, it’s not hard to find here as it’s sold at lots of drugstores.
This sounds like a remedy that I would like to try. I would love to know more about its other uses.
I had no idea that charcoal could be used for treating stomach bug. Thanks for sharing this. Will use it when required
Wow! This is such an insightful post that could save one a lot of trouble, nice of you to share..
I did not know that charcoal can help on stomach bug, great info. Maybe I can think about stocking up some for my son just in case
Oh man, I need this this time of year. I teach dance to all ages of kiddos and they are ALL getting sick with the stomach bug right now! I don’t think I have ever washed my hands more 🙂 🙂
We give activated charcoal to overdosing patients in the hospital. It binds to toxins, so your body can’t absorb them and carries then out through the intestines. It causes massive diarrhea though. That is how it is removing the medications from the OD. I would definitely check with a doctor before using on a patient with the flu because it can dehydrate you more. Be careful.
Great post for everyone who has a weak stomach. Thanks for sharing.
NIce one! I also get stomach bugs but never thought of charcoal! What an interesting remedy… will need to suss it out more!
I love this. I’m always looking for natural and non toxic remedies for our health.
I’ve never seen someone with flu but I know it is serious. I’m happy you were able to get over it; your children must be very happy to have you. Thanks for sharing x
Activated charcoal!!! I heard about it but I didn’t know it helps getting rid of stomach bug!!! Very interesting.
I never considered using activated charcoal for an upset stomach. I need to buy it and keep it in my place just in case. I had a weird stomach bug couple of weeks ago and it was the worst!
I’m a pharmacist and I’ve never try this but it totally makes sense! I will absolutely try this next time the stomach flu rolls into town
Will keep this in mind! Thanks for sharing!
Love activated charcoal. I’m from the former Soviet block and charcoal has been a medicine of choice for many generations. It’s a bit funny to me the popularity it has gained here recently because Eastern Europeans have been using it for ages. But it is very good and safe for everyone to use.
there are Many efficacious medicines that have been used for generations in other countries and at one time in the united states. Unfortunately, we have allowed the medical mafia/big pharma , with the help of the media, to steer us away from them and follow the “science” of propeganda.
We use essential oils all the time they have been great to keep the bugs away. We also have taken charcoal when visiting foreign countries where the food and water is a bit suspect. works a treat. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
I used to loathe the stomach virus. I still do really, but now I don’t sweat it as severely. At the first sign of stomach bug symptoms, I would quarantine These Cinnamon Honey Glazed AIr Fryer Sweet Potato Bites are a super quick, easy side that goes with any meal! Toddlers love them too!
Are there any studies or research of any kind to that you could provide to back this up in anyway?