You know what I love?
Vomit.
…
Fine, you caught me. That was a complete lie. Vomit makes me want to crawl into a hole and never come out. Vomit makes me want to burn down cities, tear my clothes, and hit my knees weaping. Vomit is, quite literally, one of my least favorite things in the entire world.
So six weeks ago when our family fell victim to the stomach-flu that was spreading like wildfire throughout Stuart's school, I did many of those things. Sure, I didn't burn down cities, but pretty much everything else was spot on. When it passed, as it inevitably does, I gave thanks to the Lord that we would haven't have to go through that again. Well, at least for awhile.
And then Wednesday hit.
Wednesday, the day when my daughter was laying on her back, held her hands over her mouth, and vomited straight up into the air – her palms splattering it everywhere (TMI?). Wednesday, the day when I had to hold buckets and hair for over fifteen “episodes”. Wednesday, the day when Stuart felt great one minute and thirty minutes later was hugging the toilet. Wednesday, the day when I had to wash more blankets, sheets, pajamas, and hands than I could count.
Wednesday. The worst vomit day in the history of the Elliott clan.
It took over 48 hours for said stomach flu to pass. Not the most fun 48 hours in human history, for sure. Though, undoubtedly, not the worst (sure, maybe for me, but that's not the point).
By the grace of God, my pregnant-self and baby Owen were able to dodge the bullet – and I'm so thankful that we did. Not only because I loathe throwing up, but my services were in high demand for a sick toddler, sick husband, and energetic baby.
All that to say, I did find myself a very helpful product in flu prevention. At moments, I could feel myself falling into the abyss, but thankfully a handful of home remedies did help to shake it before it could take hold.
Well, a handful of home remedies and approximately 1,924,283 prayers that prayed. “Dear Lord, I know you have much more important matters, but please – please – pleeeeassseee- PLEEEEAASSSEEEE keep me from getting sick.”
Here's the home remedies that I found super helpful:
1. Elderberry syrup: a teaspoon an hour for three days straight. You can read how to make it at home and some health benefits of elderberry syrup HERE.
2. Colloidal silver: not only do we keep this on hand for ear infections but it's also useful taken internally! I took 3-5 drops in each dose of elderberry syrup.
3. Digestive Supporting Essential Oils: Rubbing a few drops on my stomach really helped with the nausea. I love this stuff!
4. Immune Supporting Essential Oils: Some of them are diffused in our humidifier, some of them are diluted with water and sprayed all over couches, pillows, doorknobs, and beds, some of them are rubbed on the bottom of feet, and some of them are rubbed on fingertips after a thorough washing with hot water and soap.
…and finally… for the newly discovered awesomeness…
Activated Charcoal.
I was a little skeptical at first, even though this home remedy came highly recommended on my Facebook page. Yet when I ran to the store for popsicles and our favorite post-sickness-cracker (love THESE for when I'm sick!), I found myself searching for it amongst the supplement aisle.
I was at the point, after all, pretty desperate.
So I grabbed a bottle and headed home – feeling hopeful.
As soon as I got home and the sickies were settled, I began to do a bit more research on activated charcoal and it's use in our bodies. Basically, they all had the same points about charcoal: Charcoal is not digested or broken down by the body. Instead, it binds to a variety of impurities and passes them through the body via bowel movements. For this reason, it's used successfully in drawing out toxins, poisons, bad bacteria, etc.
My experience
It's nearly impossible to say if it was the charcoal that kept me from getting the stomach bug. After all, I was pairing it with lots of prayer and a variety of other treatments. However, I used many of these treatments the last time I came down with flu-induced-nausea and still lots the battle in the end. This go round, I added in the charcoal, and was able to keep it at bay. So take my experience for what it's worth.
The result
Activated charcoal isn't something that needs to be taken on a regular basis but it is extremely to handy to have on hand for flu bugs, food poisoning, and even for topical use on bug bites and as a teeth whitener! I'm thankful to finally have a bottle on hand for use as we need it. Perhaps next time we hear of a stomach bug passing through all of the students at Stu's school, we'll start taking charcoal immediately to help prevent it from entering the home.
Because no stomach bugs are welcome in our home.
Ever.
For the history of time.
Thanks be to our Ultimate Healer who quickly recovered G-love and my homestud, faithfully protected Owen and I through it all, and provided us with all these wonderful natural, home-remedies in nature!
I'm ever amazed at His goodness to us – even amongst the vomit.
Allie
February 21, 2014 at 12:08 pmI have been using charcoal since I was a child. I have always had a very sensitive stomach, and when the ol’ tummy starts to rumbling I always go straight for the charcoal. My husband thought I was insane the first time I gave him some for an upset stomach, but he is a true believer in it now. A bottle lasts for quite a while, but it is an absolute necessity in our home!
marilee Applegate
December 20, 2017 at 8:46 pmWhat brand do you use? Do you purchase from a health food store? Trader Joe’s…Wholefoods….Sprouts?
jessica
February 21, 2014 at 4:47 pmHI Shaye
So i’m curious if you used the Digest zen on the sickies and if so did it help with their symptoms? Or did you just use it for yourself as preventative? I too live in fear of dreaded vomit and with 2 small children roaming around I have learned that it is much more prevalent that ever before. I am always searching for a lifeline when it comes to stomach bugs and enjoy hearing others success stories!
Thanks
jessica
Nikki
February 21, 2014 at 7:17 pmMy 3 year old just had a pretty nasty stomach bug and I was really tempted to give her some activated charcoal. But I really wasn’t sure if its okay for toddlers and if so, how much/how to give it to them. I couldn’t find much information on it in between puking sessions. Any idea?
Jana
February 21, 2014 at 10:28 pmI just found your blog via Pinterest 🙂 I have to say, we just discovered this little gem as well. I am the same way when it comes to vomiting. I•hate•to•vomit! I would rather walk over glass than vomit. YUCK! My husband a couple month ago that NEVER gets sick started to feel ill and I gave him some and it worked! Also my 5 yr old got the 24 hour stomach bug, but as soon as I gave her some she never vomited again. (Thankfully she only did once and none of the other kids caught it)
Kendra at New Life on a Homestead
February 24, 2014 at 1:56 pmAwww, sorry your crew was sick last week! Bleh! Been there, done that. I LOVE activated charcoal. Anytime my kids start complaining of feeling like they’re going to throw up (which rarely happens), I have them drink a charcoal slurry and so far (knock on wood) they’ve never thrown up after this drink.
Glad you didn’t catch it too!! Sometimes I think God spares the Mamas because the family needs them so desperately!
Amy
February 25, 2014 at 10:43 pmWe love charcoal here – not only for us but for our animals too! If I am concerned that our ruminants bellies might be a bit off, I add charcoal to their water or to their feed. Its also our number one go-to for wasp and yellow jacket stings (sometimes we combine it with Redmond Mineral Clay) and also ant bites.
Its definitely great stuff and worth having in bulk!
Becky
March 23, 2014 at 8:01 amHow do you administer it tochildren? Open the capsule and pour into a smoothie? Or would that cause the charcoal to bind to the food and not work in the gut? Thank you!
Shaye Elliott
April 3, 2014 at 4:11 pmI’d consult a Naturopathic Doctor.
kate b
May 3, 2014 at 9:23 pmLooking at reviews on Amazon for activated charcoal I ran across man who had reflux after taking it n supposedly had breathing trouble etc after. He didn’t say his suspicion was confirmed by drs tho. Also, another woman replied that the issues he suffered with were “rare side effects mentioned on web md”. Might be unrelated but definitely do some research before taking……God bless u all JMJ
Kristen
July 6, 2014 at 10:13 pmI am soooo thankful I read this a few months ago. My hubby ended up with a terrible tummy bug and my son soon followed behind him. I started my daughter and I on charcoal as soon as we felt a little yucky. We never got it! Just took a few pills each day. I decided to blend some into raw chocolate milk for my 3 year old son and within a day his symptoms were much, much better! Almost gone. My husband had this bug for a week! And it was a doozy. I will swear by charcoal from now on and will always keep it in the house. You are a genius Shaye. I owe you big time for saving my butt. Literally.
Shaye Elliott
July 9, 2014 at 12:31 pmSo glad!
AB
February 28, 2015 at 7:29 amFYI: DO NOT MIX activated charcoal with choc. syrup, ice cream, sherbet, milk, etc. as it vastly reduces effectiveness. This is according to 2 different M.D.’s (medical doctors) I asked about this. One being a poison control trained emergency physician at children’s hospital (Wash. D.C.) and ALWAYS check with your pediatrician before giving to small children. Also, adults may need much more than a couple of capsules, possibly 5 (five) grams a day. E.R. Docs routine ill give 50 -100 grams for poisoning.
Laura
June 23, 2015 at 12:56 amHi- I loathe throwing up too! The stomach bug has taken rounds in our family too many times. But the last time was about 4 weeks ago, and I was so thankful that the Lord has allowed someone to make this product because I took the recommended highest dosage of drops everyday along with hand washing until I was confident that that bug was long gone. It’s called agrisept- L and I order it off Amazon. Check it out! It’s antiviral!!!
DavetteB
December 11, 2016 at 1:07 amOne of the ways God answers us is getting our brains to work. I had read about charcoal for things like food poisoning, but I found a post on it being useful for IBS (all of the above symptoms, just not the flu and all the time). I told my mom and it helped her to cut down on her episodes frequency and severity Tremendously. Her internist approved them too. Definitely keeping some on hand at both of our houses.
Between that and my elderberry/rosehip syrup I haven’t gotten nearly as sick as others around me; I only got laryngitis and pink eye (when others have been homebound for weeks) and colloidal silver fixed that! (keeping that on hand too.) Very grateful to learn about alternatives to toxic drugs and antibiotics. (Truthfully I did ask about one for the pink eye because I was going to be flying across the country, but the P.A. said that this one was part of a virus going around so it wouldn’t help.)
kim
May 31, 2017 at 6:48 pmGreat read! We are 2 days post a laying on my floor, shivering on the tile nightmare episode. My son and husband both got it and I hit the jackpot and had it out of both ends SAME TIME. Thanking God my lil baby only got loose stools and tiredness. Thinking due to nursing! But everyone saying how much they dislike puke – come ON, WHO likes it!?!? Makes me wanna run for the hills! I will add charcoal to our arsenal, much thanks. Also heard this from 2 friends… blessings!
Christy Williams
August 30, 2018 at 9:29 amObviously this is many years later but had to add that my family has been using activated charcoal for over 30 years. It has so many uses but one use that I love is preventing family members from getting stomach virus that one family member brings home. IT WORKS!