Charcoal pills : the answer to your indigestion

When we talk about charcoal, we mostly refer to the charcoal you cook with or what people use to clear their skin. I have also seen charcoal for cleaning teeth ( a bit strange).

But have you ever tried charcoal pills?

They are great for indigestion. I have used them several times and they provided me a lot of relief.

Charcoal Pills: A Must-Have for Your Home

Charcoal pills, often called activated charcoal, are a beneficial addition to your home health kit. While often used for various medical conditions, they are particularly handy for addressing certain types of poisoning and drug overdose emergencies.

Charcoal pills work by absorbing toxins and chemicals in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. This can be crucial in cases of accidental ingestion of harmful substances, providing a first line of defense before professional medical help is available.

Having charcoal pills at home is like having a safety net for unexpected situations. They are easy to store and can have a long shelf life if stored properly. While they are not a cure-all and should not be used without guidance, having them on hand can buy you some time in emergencies.

It is important to note the effect that some medication can have when consumed with activated charcoal.

A study published in the National Library Medicine found the potential correlation between administered antibiotics and activated charcoal in a different form to see its effect on the gut microbiota through a clinical trial. It was concluded that , in patients receiving intravenous antibiotics, oral activated charcoal in the form of a solution can be a good method to protect the gut microbiome against the fraction of the antibiotics that reach the intestinal lumen (e.g., via bile or direct transport). However, for patients receiving oral antibiotics, this strategy might not be as effective because oral activated charcoal can impair the absorption of antibiotics and reduce their desired systemic effect. Additionally, oral activated charcoal would not be appropriate for patients on other essential oral medications that can be adsorbed by oral activated charcoal.

In conclusion, charcoal pills are a valuable addition to your home first aid kit, offering a simple yet effective way to deal with certain types of indigestion. Always consult with a healthcare professional on how and when to use them, but having them available could make a real difference in a time-sensitive situation.

References

Rashidi A, Karuppiah S, Ebadi M, Shanley R, Khoruts A, Weisdorf DJ, Staley C. A dose-finding safety and feasibility study of oral activated charcoal and its effects on the gut microbiota in healthy volunteers not receiving antibiotics. PLoS One. 2022 Jun 14;17(6):e0269986. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269986. PMID: 35700156; PMCID: PMC9197061.