How to Make Activated Charcoal Taste Better

Activated charcoal is actually powdered charcoal. It is very absorbent--a small amount of charcoal will spread rapidly over a large area and acts as a sponge to absorb undesirable substances in the stomach. Many people use it for gastrointestinal upsets such as vomiting, indigestion or diarrhea. This form of charcoal has been used in emergency rooms for years for overdoses and accidental ingestion of toxins. Doctors recommend activated charcoal almost as much as syrup of ipecac, which induces vomiting. There are many tips to help the charcoal go down easier.

Things You'll Need

• Activated charcoal powder or capsules
• Orange or other fruit juice
• Carbonated cola

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Instructions

• 1

  Mix the activated charcoal powder with orange juice or another favorite juice. Activated charcoal only needs to be added to water to drink it down, but the black substance can be offensive to some. Adding the powder to dark, carbonated cola may help disguise the dark liquid.

• 2

  Close your eyes when drinking the mixture. There is very little taste in this helpful antidote, although it can be a bit thick and sometimes gritty. Not looking at the mixture may make it easier to swallow.

• 3

  Take activated charcoals capsules instead of drinking the slurry. The capsules dissolve quickly in the gastrointestinal system and work effectively. The capsules are large, however, so people who have trouble swallowing pills may find this difficult.