Charcoal Health Dictionary

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Charcoal: From 2 Different Sources

A form of carbon used in medicine mainly as an adsorbent agent in the emergency treatment of some types of poisoning and drug overdose.
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Activated charcoal is a ?nely powdered material with a huge surface area (1,000 m2/g) prepared from vegetable matter by carbonisation. It is capable of binding a variety of drugs and chemicals and is used in the treatment of poisoning as a method of gastric decontamination. It is not systemically absorbed. It is also used occasionally for ?atulence and as a deodorant for skin ulcers.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Charcoal, Vegetable

 Pulverised wood charcoal. An inert substance but with healing potential. Has power to neutralise putrid smells of cancer, diarrhoea, gangrene, and a great capacity for absorbing gases. Its latent power is brought to life by prolonged trituration (grinding finely and diluting) with sugar of milk. To counter effect of dangerous drugs.

In the absence of sterile dressings and modern hospital amenities, powdered vegetable charcoal has an ancient reputation as an astringent dressing. It absorbs bacterial toxins and is useful for chronic bowel discharge. Powdered charcoal dressings were used during World War I. Rubbed in lard, was used for purulent foul discharging wounds to neutralise smell and promote healing.

Other indications: relaxed veins, stomach tense and full of wind, constant belching. For weak and cachetic individuals where vital powers are weak.

Available in biscuits, tablets and capsules for its purifying properties and as an aid to digestion. Tablets containing a high sodium content should be avoided. ... charcoal, vegetable


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