I've found several sources on the net for activated charcoal capsules. Prices are ~$15 for 100 capsules. I also understand that pharmacists can give you a charcoal & water 'premix'.

A couple of questions:

1. I would prefer to buy it in bulk - anywhere from 1 to 10 pounds of powder and mix it myself should the need arise. Where are the best sources for this kind of purchase - as opposed to the capsules sold by health food stores and pharmacies?

2. What is the shelf life of the dry powder form and what is the shelf life of the 'premix'?

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), November 08, 1999

Answers

Arnie, a number of months ago I found a source for granulated activated charcoal. The problem was that you had to buy $300 worth. (That was a lot of GAC, like 100 pounds or so). The only other person on the forum who expressed interest was in the Rockies, so no go. (I'm in the Raleigh-Durham area as is the GAC source.) I assume the GAC was only for filtering purposes, not for human consumption. Contact me if you want the name of that source. I can probably dig around and find it.

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), November 08, 1999.

I bought Activated Charcoal at GNC for $7.99 for 100 tablets. And their second bottle is half price. We always have it on hand for upset tummys.

If kept in the bottle, sealed, they should last for several years. Not sure about the powder tho. I think that would tend to absorb moisture once opened. We have had bottles on hand, which we already opened, and they have lasted for a year or more.

One caution: don't take activated charcoal with your vitamins. It washes all the nutrients with it thru your digestive system making them of no value.

We found it to be the best source for gas and stomach upset due to certain types of foods. It works quickly too. Actually, activated charcoal was how I met my husband. But that's another story.

Penda

-- Penda Zone (PendaZ@excite.com), November 08, 1999.

For filtration purposes, I can simply crush and used the leftovers from my woodstove. I'm more interested in the powdered form intended for human consumption. One hundred pounds would be a bit much - I'm thinking that 10 pounds would be closer to a lifetime supply!

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), November 08, 1999.

Arnie,

I'd pick up the phone & give a pharmacist a holler.

-- flora (***@__._), November 08, 1999.

flora: been there, done that. No one local seems to carry it. The pharmacist at Walmart just about came unglued when I asked him. Not sure why but it seemed to raise some kind of red flag with him though. At first he said they don't carry any it. Then he began to get nosy, asking a number of questions which, for someone who doesn't carry it, seemed quite inappropriate. I simply declined to answer his questions and left the store.

Walmart is rather curious on other things too. I stopped buying Sta- Bil there after they implemented a policy requiring my birth date before they would sell it to me. Dozens of places in town sell Sta- Bil and only Walmart wants my birth date? Sorry, I don't think so.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), November 08, 1999.

A thought about my Walmart experience... While searching for information on activated charcoal for human consumption, i did come across some good general info (see http://bewell.com/vit/vit35.asp

In addition, I came across a few pages like that explain how to use powdered charcoal in a number of not-so-nice and highly illegal constructions. I suppose the pharmacist at Walmart could have been trained to watch for people attempting to purchase such versatile products.

I guess it's good I wasn't thinking along those lines. I might have decided to yank his chain a bit and asked "Well, then where do you keep the potassium nitrate?" He'd have probably gone over the edge...next thing you know the FBI would be inquiring and I'd be attempting to explain my morbid sense of humor to people who simply wouldn't appreciate it.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), November 08, 1999.

close tag! darnit! Sorry.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), November 08, 1999.

I hope Wal-Mart starts checking ID of folks who try buying stationary for nefarious purposes, such as composing pornography. Busybodies!

-- Not Whistlin' Dixie (not_whistlin_dixie@yahoo.com), November 08, 1999.

First of all Arnie,

I've really appreciated your posts, and never taken the opportunity to thank you. Second of all, please give my best to Mrs. Rimmer.

I just called my pharmacy. Long ago when I began to raise my family miles away from my extended family, my most unwise sister gave me the sage advice to 'call and get to know my pharmacist'. She said "'flora', they are so bored - they are thrilled to get calls from people who want to know things that they are interested in and care about." I've got to say this is one instance where she was more than right. Even though the chain-stores have eaten up the independent pharmacies here as they have everywhere else, I still can usually find someone on the phone to help me hash something out.

The fellow I found tonight was not thrown by the question, he said they usually only stocked the capsules, though. I told him the last I'd heard of it was when a friend's adolescent had attempted suicide, and asked him what else it was used for. He said it is commonly used for gas.

Long ago on the classic forum someone posted this question - I can't remember if it was jolly or someone else. I think they were building a filter. Sorry I can't be of more help, good luck!

-- flora (***@__._), November 08, 1999.

Last thought here - I promise,

We've got pharmacists & spouses & nurses on board here {where are you Geo. rif raff, etc. ?}

How 'bout reposting this thread with a title to alert those that have the chops?

-- flora (***@__._), November 08, 1999.

The Pharmacist at my local Longs drug store ordered it for me. I said I was updating my first aid kit. I had no problems. I guess that the fact that I have Rx's for about $600/month and I am one of his best customers might help a bit. I think the dry stuff has a long shelf life. It is best in case of poisoning.

-- Homeschooling Grandma (mlaymon@glenn-co.k12.ca.us), November 09, 1999.