Finding a stomach flu remedy is hard. Especially if you have kids that can’t keep anything down. These activated charcoal gummies are a great natural remedy to stop a stomach bug in its tracks. Don’t forget to try my easy and healthy homemade gummy recipe and elderberry gummies.
The stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) – a.k.a. stomach virus, a.k.a. stomach bug – is zero percent fun.
My family and I have caught the bug twice last year, and both times I thought it was never going to end.
We didn’t want to take Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, any medications, or antibiotics for the stomach flu.
But there was one remedy that actually worked: charcoal.
If you’ve never heard of activated charcoal, you’re not alone. After being on a natural living journey for several years, I had only heard of it in a detox face mask.
I didn’t know it was a natural stomach flu remedy until my sister-in-law told me about it!
How Activated Charcoal Works
I believe it’s important to know WHY you’re doing something, not just HOW, so before you jump in and make this miracle stomach flu remedy, let me explain how activated charcoal works.
- Activated charcoal does NOT come from the charcoal you use in a grill. It’s made from a substance (usually bamboo, wood, or coconut shells) that is burned without oxygen to create char. This char then goes through a multi-step process to make it extremely porous, i.e. “activated.”
- This porous substance – activated charcoal – pulls toxins into itself adsorption (not absorption) and is flushed out of the body as waste (the body cannot absorb activated charcoal).
- In fact, activated charcoal is so effective at removing toxins, that this study found that giving activated charcoal to a poisoned patient FIRST was more effective than the more common method of medically-induced vomiting!
Grape Juice for Stomach Viruses?
Just like any other illness, the top stomach flu remedies include lots of fluids and rest.
But what if this isn’t enough? What if your child can’t keep anything down, including water, and can’t sleep well because of the constant vomiting?
- My sister-in-law recommended grape juice, and it seems to be a common cure from moms across the internet, at least according to this blogger and this one too.
- While there’s no concrete science supporting grape juice as a remedy for the stomach flu, I can’t ignore the advice of moms – after all, we’re the ones in the trenches, right?
Stomach Flu Remedy: Charcoal Gummies
So here are my thoughts behind charcoal gummies as a stomach flu remedy:
1. They contain activated charcoal
As I mentioned above, activated charcoal is great at getting rid of the junk in our bellies. If you take it at the first sign of the stomach flu in the house – that means EVERYONE takes it even if they’re not sick yet – then you stand a good chance of not getting sick.
Your chances diminish slightly if you are already sick, BUT we used it anyway and it definitely shortened the length of the sickness.
2. They contain grape juice
Again, not a scientifically proven method, but all these moms can’t be wrong. Besides, when my son and I were struggling to keep food down, the grape juice didn’t come back up.
Note: Juice in general often contains added sugars. When you’re shopping for grape juice, read the ingredients to ensure it’s ONLY grape juice. From concentrate is okay, just avoid added sugars.
3. Activated charcoal is black
I don’t know about your kids, but mine weren’t keen on the idea of eating something black. Throw in the fact that they’re throwing up, and black food REALLY ranked low.
Making gummies with grape juice masks the fact that activated charcoal is black.
4. Activated charcoal stains
Even if you can get your kid to drink activated charcoal in a glass of water, this isn’t something you want them to drink while laying down on the sofa, on the living room carpet.
Charcoal gummies make dispensing charcoal as a remedy so much easier, and cleaner all around.
5. Gummies are fun!
When you’re not feeling well, food, in general, doesn’t sound good. Making charcoal gummies is an easier way to get a child (or adult!) to take the activated charcoal, even if it’s in small doses.
Besides, have you ever met a kid who didn’t like gummies?! When we’re not sick, we make our own using this homemade gummy recipe.
6. You control the dosage
I’m not a medical doctor, so I’m going to refer to the University of Michigan the Mayo Clinic for specific dosing suggestions.
However, by making gummies, you don’t have to mess with figuring out if you should dose ½ a capsule or ¼ capsule or even less.
- On a practical note, when you have one kid throwing up and dealing with black activated charcoal that stains, dealing with the capsules on the kitchen counter is just a pain.
- With charcoal gummies, figure out how much charcoal you put in the recipe, divide by the number of gummies you made, and then you know how much is in each one. I keep all the gummies in a bag in the freezer and write on the bag how many gummies equals one capsule.
- Activated charcoal is a great stomach flu remedy. We used these gummies to help stop the last bug that hit our house. No mess, and easy to keep in your tummy.
Charcoal Gummies Supplies
- 100% grape juice (no sugar added – read the ingredients!)
- unflavored gelatin (I use this grass-fed gelatin)
- activated charcoal, pre-measured (I have this kind and ended up opening 10 capsules)
- gummy molds (I used these, but you can use a 9×13 glass dish as well)
- whisk (I used this flat whisk)
How to Make Charcoal Gummies as a Stomach Flu Remedy
Step 1. In a small saucepan, measure grape juice and gelatin. Slowly bring the heat up to medium-low and whisk together to thoroughly dissolve the gelatin.
Step 2. Remove from the heat and add the activated charcoal. Whisk in the activated charcoal, taking care not to make too many bubbles. The charcoal will not dissolve entirely.
Step 3. Carefully pour the liquid into the molds and freeze for 10 minutes, or until the liquid has gelled.
Note: the longer they freeze, the easier it is to remove from the mold. They need 10 minutes minimum to gel, but I suggest leaving them in the freezer overnight so they’re easier to unmold.
Step 4. Store in the freezer and dose as desired.
Stomach Infection Remedy FAQs
According to Mayo Clinic, the length of time you’ll have symptoms with the stomach virus is one or two days. It is possible that it could last up to 14 days. Watch for signs of dehydration.
The stomach virus is actually not caused by the influenza virus. It’s an intestinal infection. You can get sick from parasites, toxins, bacteria, and viruses.
Viruses are the most common cause of stomach flu. The Norovirus is often the culprit for adults. The Rotavirus is often to blame for the stomach bug in children. These viruses make your stomach and intestines irritated and inflamed.
You need to let your stomach settle and take small sips of water. Take charcoal gummies. Ease your way back into eating and eat blandly.
The BRAT diet works great and consists of rice, bananas, toast, and applesauce. Avoid caffeine, this can make diarrhea and pain worse. Rest is very important as well. Rest is very important as well.
The stomach bug will usually heal itself within a few days. The pressing concern is for infants, toddlers, children, and the elderly, is dehydration. If you cannot rehydrate at home, seek medical advice from a doctor.
More Natural Home Remedies
- Homemade Elderberry Syrup
- DIY Whipped Magnesium Lotion
- How to Heal Chapped Lips Naturally
- 5 Simple Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter
Stomach Flu Remedy: Charcoal Gummies
Finding a stomach flu remedy is hard. Especially if you have kids that can’t keep anything down. These activated charcoal gummies are a great natural remedy to stop a stomach bug in its tracks. Don’t forget to try my easy and healthy homemade gummy recipe and elderberry gummies!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 25–75 gummies 1x
- Category: home remedy
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% grape juice (no sugar added – read the ingredients!)
- 8 tsp unflavored gelatin (I use this grass-fed gelatin)
- About 1 Tbsp activated charcoal, pre-measured (I have this kind and ended up opening 10 capsules)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, measure grape juice and gelatin. Slowly bring the heat up to medium-low and whisk together to thoroughly dissolve the gelatin.
- Remove from the heat and add the activated charcoal. Whisk in the activated charcoal, taking care not to make too many bubbles. The charcoal will not dissolve entirely.
- Carefully pour the liquid into the molds and freeze for 10 minutes, or until the liquid has gelled.
- Store in the freezer and dose as desired.
Notes
You will need:
- Gummy molds (I used these, but you can use a 9×13 glass dish as well)
- Whisk (I used this flat whisk)
The longer they freeze, the easier it is to remove from the mold. They need 10 minutes minimum to gel, but I suggest leaving them in the freezer overnight so they’re easier to unmold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 gummies
- Calories: 15
Dana
Hi i just read your blog. Im def trying the gummies. This is my first time buying activated charcoal and it came in powder form in a tub. No directions. So im not sure on the dosing i should be using for me or kids if im just too use it with grapejuicr as a drink. Do you have any ideas for me🤗
Tiffany
Hi Dana!! What does the nutritional label say a dosage is? If I have that, I can help you figure it out. 🙂
Debi
Great article thank you! Can I substitute homemade bone-broth for grape juice and gelatin?
Tiffany
You can for the grape juice Debi, but not the gelatin itself. Bone broth contains collagen, which is cooked gelatin. You need gelatin in it’s uncooked form in order to make the gummies “gum.” 🙂
Ashley
With the molds you used, how many gummies did this recipe make? Sorry if I missed this info when I read.
Tiffany
Hi Ashley! I think you’ll get around 120 gummies or so. I filled up two molds (each holds 53) and had some leftover liquid still.
Laura
Shouldn’t you note that activated charcoal can interfere with the absorption of food, supplements, and certain medications? One might hope people would fully research something before just giving it to themselves or especially their kids but everyone here doesn’t seem to question your suggestion, which I’m sure is great when you’re sick. BUT your body also needs nutrients to get better and prevent dehydration and for the least amount of interference activated charcoal should really be taken at least 90 minutes BEFORE or AFTER eating or taking supplements or medications. I feel like that’s kind of an important disclaimer to let people know.
Angela Forth
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I am planning on making these very soon! Would you mind telling me though how many you gave your children and how often, etc. Did you base it on body weight?
Thank you!!
Tiffany
Hi Angela! I give my kids about 5 gummies, twice a day. There’s no hard line for dosage (that I’m aware of), so I base it somewhat on what I take (and my weight) and what I’m comfortable with them taking (and their weight). 🙂
Dani
Do you take them as a preventative or only once someone shows a sign of stomach bug?
Tiffany
Both!
Katie Mae @ Nourishing Simplicity
Brilliant! I might make some for myself. 🙂 I’ve caught the stomach flu from kids at the school I work two falls in a row…
Tiffany
Yes!! Whip them up so you’re armed and ready! ♥
Eboni
Does the heat of the gelatin and grape juice interfere with how well the activated charcoal works? Worried about killing it’s natural properties.
Tiffany
I haven’t read any articles that discussing heat or mixing with other ingredients that negatively effect the charcoal Eboni. You’re good!
Sara H
Activated charcoal is new to me. Do you have any other posts about it or any websites that are trustworthy about activated charcoal?
Tiffany
I referenced this DIY in the post, Sara: https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2016/04/simple-diy-detox-face-mask/ But I don’t have any in-depth articles on my site. I’d recommend this one, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1306980/?page=2 and this one https://wellnessmama.com/247/activated-charcoal/ to learn more!
Janelle
This.is.GENIUS! I’ve been taking charcoal but couldn’t figure out how to give it to the kids. Thanks for the awesome idea!
Tiffany
You’re very welcome!
Melissa
Hi Tiffany… These look great! Do you have dosing info? I’m curious about kids 7-12 & adults. Thank you!
Tiffany
Hi Melissa! Because I’m not a doctor, I’m going to defer to http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-5203004 and http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/charcoal-activated-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20070087 for dosing. ♥
Brenda
Coca Cola syrup really works on sick stomachs.
Tiffany
Perhaps, but it’s certainly not the healthiest option. :/
M
How do the gummies taste? I keep a jar of distilled water and AC mixed up in the fridge for the ready, but it is difficult to get the kids to take it when they aren’t feeling well. We’ve made natural gummies before (I’m going to take a look at the one you linked) but they did not like them at all.
Tiffany
Honestly, they have a very faint flavor of grape juice. The flavor is very diluted by the time you get to the gummy stage, but my kids liked them and actually asked for more, LOL.
jessica wilson
How many gummies should they take and how often? My daughters’ daycare has the stomach flu running rampant and I want to try and prevent it! Do you just take one and you’re good, or do you take once a day, for a week, etc.? I haven’t seen it anywhere on how long it actually lasts. I looked on the mayo clinic and it showed that children 1-12 years can be given 25-50 mg at a time. But my question is, does that protect you then for a week, 2 weeks, etc.? Or do you have to take it everyday? And when do you know that it’s probably okay to stop using it? For the grape juice too – how much and how often? I’m terrified of the stomach flu and am desperate to find something to reduce the chance of getting it!
Tiffany
Here’s how to dosage gummies, “With charcoal gummies, figure out how much charcoal you put in the recipe, divide by the number of gummies you made and then you know how much is in each one. I keep all the gummies in a bag in the freezer, and write on the bag how many gummies equals one capsule.”
These are meant to be taken at the first indication of illness OR when they’re directly exposed. I’m not a doctor, but if my own kids were exposed daily, I’d give them the smallest dosage in the morning until the bug has come and gone. I’d also follow up with a multi-vitamin and probiotic at night. I’d offer 1-2 ounces of grape juice with the gummy. 🙂
Will
This is awesome! We can never get our kids to take AC when they have a stomach bug.
Kristina T
I just wanted to pass on a word of caution with activated charcoal. I was in the urgent care with my child this weekend. She looked like she was getting the stomach flu. I gave her some and I let the Dr. know. He informed me that it is used for detox and for those who overdose. He also said it was dangerous in case my child would throw up, because it could go down the wrong tube and be inhaled. The end result would be a trip to the ICU. I am just passing this on to keep others informed. I appreciate all the help that Tiffany gives us here.
Tiffany
Thanks Kristina! Activated charcoal is used for detox and overdoses – that’s a testimony to how powerful it is. A great reminder to always be careful!!
M
The doctor’s warning is laughable. Any vomit can be inhaled can cause an issue in the lungs. It has nothing to do with using AC. AC is the first thing ER’s will give in the event of poisoning. I always keep it on hand. If you make it into a paste (with water) you can apply it to sting/insect bites to help draw out the toxins injected and it can also draw splinters out 🙂
Sara
Do you have a suggestion to replace the gelatin with something vegetarian? Thanks!
Tiffany
Yes! This site has some great alternatives:
Rhonda
I had the same question – I don’t see the link you posted for alternatives to gelatin?
Tiffany
So weird that my link didn’t post!! Here you go Rhonda: https://www.thekitchn.com/vegetarian-and-vegan-substitutes-for-gelatin-tips-from-the-kitchn-189478
Grace
Activated charcoal was used a lot when I started nursing in Australia in the early 1960’s, then seemed to fall out of favour as more and more specific (and expencive) medicines took over. We used the activated charcoal particularly with any smelly wound care. People with colostomies and iliostomies can now buy charcoal impregnated dressings to put on to deodourise their ostomies.
Where I live we use tablets which are easier to take than loose powder, the capsules are a bit small when you are used to powder or tabs, but still have the same stuff that works. It is difficult to ‘overdose’ on activated charcoal.
Gummies are a great way to induce children (and adults) to take something that is hard to manage in the mouth and to swallow. Where I live I would have trouble getting the gummy moulds so I would probably substitute using and filling teaspoons, freezing and later ‘demoulding’ and then storing in a cool cupboard or back into the freezer.
Tiffany
Hi Grace! If you have a glass baking dish, you can use that instead of molds! I’d like with plastic wrap to make it easier to un-mold. Or do you have silicone muffin liners? That would work too. Your serving sizes would be different, but you can just do the math differently and write it on the bag. 🙂
M.
Thanks, Tiffany. This is a great idea. I’ve used activated charcoal with food poisoning. It works like a charm! This method of delivery will make charcoal ingestion appealing to the wee ones. Do the bears release readily? I don’t need to be frustrated with difficult dummies! Thanks again. Have a lovely day.
Tiffany
Release from the mold M? Oh yes, they popped right out!
M.
Thanks, Tiffany. I’m sold.
Heather
I am having a heck of a time getting mine out of the molds completely. Most are missing the tips of their legs and some are just mush. Do I just need to leave them in the freezer longer?
Tiffany
Maybe? They need to freeze for at least 30-45 min until solid, but I was multitasking so I likely left them in longer.
Heather
They definitely worked better when they were frozen. The recipe says 10 minutes do you may want to update that. Thanks for this! I am so glad to have this in my winter arsenal!
Tiffany
Oh wonderful. I’ll go fix the tutorial!
Pam
I’ve heard about using white grape juice to prevent stomach bugs. Does it make what kind of grape juice?
Tiffany
I’m not sure Pam, but I’d go with regular grape juice for the gummies since charcoal will make the liquid black anyway.
Ashley
You want purple grape juice and it works best if you start drinking it when you’ve been exposed but don’t have symptoms yet.
karen b
I have heard of activated charcoal but our family has never tried it. Our children are all 16 and above so not as much sickness now as when they were younger. We used apple cider vinegar to help get rid of it & that also works. You can either put a couple tablespoons in a cup & drink it straight or add some water to help it go down easier also some people adds honey.The amount does depend on age of person& we take it a couple times a day. I have done this when 1 of the children started getting sick & 99% of the time I didn’t get sick. Believe me charcoal gummies sounds easier to take 🙂
Sarah
We have used activated charcoal with stomach bugs and they have been an amazing success. This way is even better! My husband and I will take it but it’s been hard to get the kids to, so this will be perfect. Thank you so much!
Tiffany
You’re most welcome Sarah!
Sandra
Fresh garlic (can freeze to cut taste or burning mouth) eaten raw will soak up poisons in the stomach. A co-worker had food poisoning and was told by a nurse to do this.