This week's blog was submitted by one of our alumni. Thanks Karen!
I woke up Ash Wednesday; the day after ‘Fat Tuesday’ with the worst stomach ache I’ve had since 1976 and the Halloween I bet my younger sister I could eat 26 wine gums in one chew. My stomach twisted and turned in a savage orgy of fruit twists, candy, cookies, and something that was hard and crunchy with a semi metallic taste that I’m still not sure could even be considered food; but I ate it anyway. ( I think it might have been a wrapper. )
Be it holiday gluttony, or the beginning of the spring cold and flu season the result is the same; sore belly, upset stomach and an issue with the ‘back door’ that needs no further discussion. For nearly 100 years a simple remedy of activated charcoal has been used in treating toxic issues that affect the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Natural absorbing properties of the activated charcoal can help calm the storm in any stomach even in cases of accidental poisoning; like when you eat a candy wrapper, or small plastic toy or some such.
Activated charcoal is a fine, black powder that is odourless and tasteless; which toxins out of the blood and binds them to the charcoal in the intestine; moving the toxins out and away through a normal bowel movement. Commonly used in food poisoning, accidental chemical poisoning or drug overdose; it is also given following a gastric lavage (stomach pump) and is used to treat mild diarrhoea. Name brand capsules of activated charcoal can be found on the shelf of your local pharmacy; usually in the section of remedies, vitamins and the like.
There is no need to take the raw form of the remedy; although I would have licked it off the side of a moving train to stop the party in my belly from raging on one moment longer.
Be Well!!