A stomach bug, often known as stomach flu, can disrupt your day. Let’s explore the benefits of using activated charcoal to address it. Since the 1800s, activated charcoal has been employed in emergencies to treat certain types of poisoning. It works by “trapping” chemicals and preventing them from being absorbed by the body. It can also keep the liver from processing certain toxins.
A variety of viruses can lead to a stomach bug, with norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus being the most common culprits. Using activated charcoal might help by absorbing the virus responsible for the bug, similar to how it absorbs poisons. It acts as a binding agent, taking hold of the toxin causing harm. However, scientific evidence supporting this claim is limited. That said, there are numerous success stories about the benefits of activated charcoal for easing stomach bugs. A study demonstrated that giving activated charcoal to a poisoned patient was more effective than inducing vomiting.
Activated charcoal operates differently from other medications. It isn’t digested or broken down by your body. Instead, it binds to various impurities and helps pass them out of your system through bowel movements.
Before using activated charcoal, it’s crucial to determine if you have a stomach bug or food poisoning as your expectations and recovery timeline will vary. Symptoms of a stomach bug usually show up within 24 to 72 hours of exposure and typically clear up in 3 to 4 days. Food poisoning symptoms, on the other hand, can appear within hours or days, depending on the cause, and generally improve within two days. While anyone can get food poisoning, it’s more common in babies, young children, and the elderly.
A general guideline for taking activated charcoal is 500 to 1,000 mg, two to three times a day. It’s important to take it a few hours apart from meals to prevent it from absorbing essential nutrients. Activated charcoal can be found in powder, liquid, or pill form and if taken early, it might help prevent viral infections, poisonings, and overdoses. People often find it highly effective for quickly stopping a stomach bug.
When dealing with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting, staying hydrated with water, sports drinks, or other clear liquids is crucial. Take small sips. The BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—is recommended as these foods provide energy, are easy to digest, and help replenish nutrients.
Probiotics like Lactobacillus casei GG and S. boulardii can also be beneficial in treating a stomach bug and they help with easing watery diarrhea. Yogurt is a good source of these probiotics.
Water leftover from boiling brown rice, rich in electrolytes, can also help ease diarrhea in babies, as a study has shown it works better than an electrolyte solution.
Apple cider vinegar contains soluble fiber pectin, which is effective at reducing vomiting and nausea, soothing an upset stomach. Chaga mushroom, known for its antimicrobial properties much like ashitaba tea, has traditionally been used for cleansing and treating stomach and intestinal issues.
Ginger is great for reducing inflammation, relieving nausea, vomiting, and alleviating stomach cramps and bloating.
Garlic, with its antibiotic qualities, is useful in combating viral infections in the digestive tract.
When battling a stomach bug, resting is vital as your body needs energy to fight off the infection, so make sure to get plenty of sleep and reduce daily activities. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps can really make your day difficult, but home remedies can help soothe your intestines and ease the inflammation in your stomach lining. Activated charcoal is a natural, convenient option for treating a stomach bug and its symptoms.
