What a salacious title!

Even so – it describes our last two weeks. Living on the outskirts of Nashville, we were hit by the torrential rains and flooding. Since we (used) to live on the banks of Cane Creek we knew we had a chance of flooding. One year ago – exactly – a “100 Year Flood” hit and our house had about 4 inches of water come into it. We were not living there at the time – but at least we knew our house had the propensity to flood. Many in the area had no idea.

So, when the rains began and the creek started to rise my husband wisely removed us and our vehicles from the property (our house is a lot higher than where we park the vehicles). After we were settled into an out of town friend’s home (on a hill!) he went back and lifted everything off the floor and carried many things to the upstairs office. All the while thinking “Well, it probably won’t flood into the house, but just in case.”

The next day when he went to check on everything – but on the way stopping to rescue several families – he saw 6.5 feet of water in our downstairs!! He literally boated to our place and saw our couch floating in the living room.
After helping many others – and after the waters receded we were left with mud mud mud! I used to think of flooding as just water, clean water even, but flooding usually involves about 3 inches of muddy slime on everything also.

Just so you aren’t too worried about us, I’ll let you know that so so so many people have been incredibly generous with the their time and resources and we really are okay! We are staying with family in South Carolina and our place was cleaned out and whatever could be was salvaged. Since it was a rental we don’t have the issues of replacing and repairing the structure.

So, what is in the flood water besides mud? Mostly poo! Septic systems overwhelm and break, the cow field next to us was cleaned off, and the waters running from the cave (think bats) was also freshly scrubbed. That is a lot of poo – and a lot of bacteria – and a lot of other human made products that spill and shouldn’t become mixed with water that goes and touches everything and everyone. While our little kids were not at the clean-up for very long, it’s hard to keep their hands out of their mouth – or even clean them with no running water and the soap covered in sludge.

That gets to where charcoal helped us out big time!
So, onto the day when we were leaving to drive to SC. My almost five year old daughter began throwing up, and throwing up, and throwing up. This is my kiddo that uses her digestive system to eliminate! Anytime she is exposed to something her system doesn’t like – her gut gets rid of it. If a stomach virus, or bad food comes her way – we know it because she throws it all up. It’s a good method! And what a lot of bodies should do, rather than writhing in pain for days.

Even though we knew she’d be okay within 24 hours or so, we couldn’t drive like that, but didn’t really have anywhere else convenient to go. So, my friend mixed up activated charcoal in applesauce. My daughter was completely cured within 10 minutes. Completely. Going from puking and diarrhea every 10-20 minutes to begging to go outside and play is a HUGE improvement.

So, how does Activated Charcoal work?

Mayo Clinic says this:
Activated charcoal is used in the emergency treatment of certain kinds of poisoning. It helps prevent the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body. Sometimes, several doses of activated charcoal are needed to treat severe poisoning. Ordinarily, this medicine is not effective and should not be used in poisoning if corrosive agents such as alkalis (lye) and strong acids, iron, boric acid, lithium, petroleum products (e.g., cleaning fluid, coal oil, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner), or alcohols have been swallowed, since it will not prevent these poisons from being absorbed into the body.

Bulk Herb Store says this:
This powerful substance has been used as an effective anti-poison remedy for centuries. It works as an adsorbent of toxins in the digestive system, relieves gases, can eliminate fungi, viruses and bacteria, and may promote recovery from food poisoning. Preliminary research shows that regular high dosages may lower cholesterol and fat levels.

And I believe them both! Activated Charcoal proves in our nasty flood water case to be extremely effective in absorbing whatever toxic substance my daughter came into contact with. And what a blessing to NOT have to drive 10 hours with a sick child. I assume that activated charcoal would not have worked if the throwing up was caused by a true stomach virus, even so, I’ll try it again next time!

Thank you Activated Charcoal! I have found a new emergency remedy.

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