A charcoal poultice (aka charcoal compress) is made from a thick layer of moistened activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal works effectively to decrease pain and to adsorb toxins, poisons, heavy metals and other harmful substances from your body.
Poultices made from charcoal are great for inflammation, swelling and infections.
You can use a charcoal poultice for many conditions including:
Abscesses, bee stings, boils, bruises, bug bites, burns, bursitis, ear aches, eye inflammation, gangrene, liver disorders, pain relief, pink eye, sore muscles, sore throat, spider bites, sprains, tendonitis, and more.
You can leave these poultices on for several hours or even overnight, but DO NOT reuse them. Always start with a fresh poultice.
CAUTION: If you have a serious disease, infection, inflammation, or sprain, be sure to have it checked out by a qualified health care practitioner.
If you have any open wounds or skin that has been broken, DO NOT apply charcoal poultices to those areas. If charcoal gets in to the wound, it may leave you with a permanent mark or tattoo. Comfrey poultices are a much better choice for open wounds.
Mini Charcoal Bandage
This bandage is great for smaller areas, such as bug bites.
What You Will Need:
1 adhesive bandage
Water
Activated charcoal powder
Step 1: Add a few drops of water to the gauze portion of the bandage.
Step 2: Sprinkle charcoal on gauze until it is well blackened.
Step 3: Place bandage over the affected area.
Charcoal Poultice
What You Will Need:
1 - 2 tablespoons activated charcoal (use more or less depending on the size of the area you want to cover
Water
Paper towels, soft cloth, or gauze - cut to fit the area you'll be applying the poultice on
Plastic wrap that is at least 2 inches larger than the paper towel or cloth that you are using
Piece of cloth or bandages (to bind the poultice in place)
3 - 4 safety pins
Step 1: Mix the charcoal with just enough water to make a paste. Try to get the charcoal moist but not crumbly or runny.
Step 2: Spread the paste on the paper towel, cloth, or gauze. Cover the mixture with another paper towel or a second piece of cloth so that the charcoal mixture is between the paper towels or pieces of cloth. To make a smaller poultice, spread the charcoal paste on half of one paper towel and then fold the other half over the paste.
Step 3: Place the charcoal poultice on the affected part. Make sure the poultice completely covers the area.
Step 4: Cover the poultice with the plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will help it to stay moist.
Step 5: Bandage or wrap the poultice securely in place. Leave it on for several hours or overnight. You can change the poultice after 6 - 10 hours. Reapply as needed.
Charcoal And Flaxseed Poultice
When you add ground flaxseed to a charcoal poultice, it helps it to retain moisture. That's important because charcoal poultices work much better when they stay moist. The moisture allows the charcoal to adsorb much better.
This recipe makes enough to cover a large area such as your abdomen.
What You Will Need:
3 tablespoons ground flaxseed (you can easily grind up whole flaxseeds in a coffee grinder)
2 tablespoons activated charcoal powder
1 cup warm water
Paper towels or a linen or cotton cloth
Plastic wrap that is at least 2 inches larger than the paper towel or cloth that you are using
Piece of cloth or bandages (to bind the poultice in place)
3 - 4 safety pins
Step 1: Mix the ground flaxseed and charcoal powder together.
Step 2: Stir the flaxseed and charcoal mixture into the water.
Step 3: Set mixture aside for 10 - 20 minutes until it has thickened.
Step 4: Spread the charcoal mixture evenly (about 1/4 inch thick) over the paper towel or cloth.
Step 5: Cover the mixture with another paper towel or a second piece of cloth so that the charcoal mixture is between the paper towels or pieces of cloth.
Step 6: Place the poultice over the affected area and cover it with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will prevent the poultice from drying out too quickly.
Step 7: Wrap the bandage or old towel over the poultice and pin it securely in place. Leave the poultice on for 6 - 10 hours.
Step 8: Once the time is up, remove the poultice. Rinse off the area of skin and dry it completely. Repeat as needed.
NOTE: You can adapt these recipes to make your charcoal poultice whatever size you want.
These instructions for charcoal poultices were adapted from RX: Charcoal by Dr's Agatha and Calvin Thrash. I highly recommend this book if you would like to learn more about the healing abilities of activated charcoal.
Another book that will help you learn a great deal about activated charcoal and how to use it is Charcoal Remedies by John Dinsley. It's got lots of interesting and inspiring testimonies about how effective charcoal is.
Where To Buy Activated Charcoal
It's a great idea to have some activated charcoal powder on hand for times when you need to make up a poultice.
You may be able to find activated charcoal in some drug stores and health food stores. Not all stores carry may carry it though, so don't wait until you have an emergency to get a supply.
You can also buy activated charcoal powder and capsules online.
$$$ SAVING TIP: To save money, buy in bulk. Charcoal will last for years to come; it never expires. Be sure to keep it tightly sealed inside a container.
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