How to Prepare Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is a simple and effective antidote for several poisons. It mixes up with water and can be ingested with minimal discomfort to the patient. Activated charcoal works by attaching to chemical molecules before they are absorbed by the body and carrying them out through bowel movements. Charcoal must be taken soon after a poison is ingested to absorb the poison before it reaches the body's blood stream.

Things You'll Need

• Powdered activated charcoal
• Water
• Spoon
• Glass
• Bowl
• Paper towels
• Plastic wrap
• Gauze

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Instructions

Liquid Suspension

• 1

  Open a bottle of activated charcoal. Each bottle contains a standard dosage of 50 grams of powdered activated charcoal. If the charcoal has caked inside the bottle, shake it to break up the charcoal.

• 2

  Add 400 milliliters of water to the bottle for a full adult dosage. Some bottles have a small line on the side for you to fill it up to with water. A child size dosage is half a bottle. If the child has taken large amounts of poison give a full bottle.

• 3

  Place the cap back on the bottle. Shake to mix water and charcoal. Shake until all of the charcoal is well mixed.

• 4

  Pour charcoal suspension into a glass and have the patient drink the entire contents of the glass. Another dosage of charcoal may be required in an hour or two depending on the doctor's orders and type of poison ingested.

Charcoal Poultice

• 5

  Spoon two tablespoons of activated charcoal powder into a small bowl.

• 6

  Add a small amount of water, mixing it with the spoon until it forms a paste.

• 7

  Spoon the paste onto a paper towel until towel is saturated. Fold the towel in half to cover paste.

• 8

  Place the paste filled towel over the sting, bite or area to be treated. Wrap with plastic wrap. Cover this with gauze.

• 9

  Change the poultice every six to ten hours until the poisons are removed.