Some unusual uses of charcoal

[Michaelangelica]

seed germination and charcoal

Implications

 

The study shows that prairie grass establishment by direct sowing is possible in the south of England, especially when soil temperature is elevated by either charcoal or clear polythene mulching. Overall the charcoal treatment was most successful as this mulch also reduced weed cover early in the first half of the summer. Management from 1998 onwards has been restricted to burning the dead grass leaves in spring each year with a propane gas flame gun a technique which is less laborious than hand weeding, and could be used in larger scale plantings without the use of herbicide. Five years after establishment the plots that supported a high density of prairie grasses in October 1997 (mostly charcoal and clear polythene mulch) are still the most successful, and are largely weed free. This shows that prairie grass planting can be achieved cost effectively using seed sown in open ground, in southern UK. The management regime for this planting could be adapted for the amateur horticulturist.

Royal Horticultural Society - Research Projects: Horticulture & Soil Science

 

for african violets

Hortense Pittman's Texas formula: 5 gallons sterilized fine peat moss, 5 gallons coarse horticultural grade vermiculite, 2 gallons coarse horticultural grade perlite, 1 cup crushed horticultural grade charcoal, 5 quarts of water, 1 teaspoon frittered trace elements, and 1 cup of pulverized dolomite lime.

 

Marie Burns' Show mix: 5 gallons Baccto African Violet Soil, 3 gallons coarse horticultural grade perlite, 1 gallon sterilized fine peat moss, 2 gallons coarse horticultural grade vermicu lite, 6 cups horticultural grade charcoal, 1 cup dehydrated cow manure, 2 tablespoons Ferban, and 10 tablespoons dolomite lime.

 

Fisher's Soil Formula from Canada: 2 quarts sterilized clay loam (garden loam or top soil), 2 quarts perlite, 2 quarts medium or coarse vermiculite; 2 quarts fine chip horticultural charcoal, 8 quarts sphagnum peat moss (screened to remove sticks or buy fine screened). Mix separately the following: 1 cup bone meal, 1 cup calcium carbonate OR dolomite lime powder (not granular), and 1 tablespoon Fermate or Ferbam. Combine the above ingredients with about a half a gallon of water.

http://www.richmondavs.org/culture.html

[Michaelangelica]

Bamboo charcoal vinegar is extracted when making charcoal and is used for hundreds of treatment on almost all aspects. This liquid contains 400 kinds of chemical elements and can be applied in many purposes such as cosmetics, insecticides, deodorants, food processing, and agriculture. Its functions are to expel smell, kill bacteria, keep health and to nourish facial and body skin.

Health benefits of Bamboo and Bamboo Charcoal Vinegar | Alejandra Neri

 

bamboo charcoal product-vinegar deodorant washing-prwder sheet soap shampoo

Abstract;The effects of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar on growth of some plants were examined from a practical viewpoint. 1. The rooting of Camellia sinensis cuttings was enhanced by the application of bamboo vinegar solution at 20-fold concentration to the rooting substrate. A tendency of increased yield and higher quality was observed in the first harvest of tea when bamboo vinegar was applied by foliar spray at 1000-fold concentration on 30 days before the harvest. 2. Bamboo vinegar did not stimulate seed germination and initial growth of some herbaceous ornamental plants. Conversely, in tulip and gladiolus, stimulated stem elongation as well as increased bulb weight when bamboo vinegar was applied. 3. A synergistic promotive effect in growth of Ophiopogon japonicus forma nunus hort. was observed when bomboo vinegar solution was applied at 1000-fold concentration into soil mixed with manure. 4. The elongation of shoot from dormant buds was enhanced in Fagus crenata and Prunus mume when 1000 ppm of the bamboo vinegar was added in a forcing solution. 5. No significant effect was observed in the application of bamboo charcoal in all experiments. (author abst.)

Science Links Japan | Effects of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar on growth of agricultural plants.

 

Medicinal Benefits of Bamboo Charcoal

Infrared Ray

Charcoal flame produces infrared rays not visible with our eyes. The place it hit will become warm regardless of air temperature. This warmth promotes proper blood circulation and renewal. Fish, meat, and vegetables will taste better and other nutrients will be produced.

 

Negative Ionization

Charcoals generate negative ions. Negative ions begin to work in the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the mind and body.

 

The above-mentioned effects are just a few of several benefits you can obtain from charcoals. During the process of charcoal making, you can have more products for health and good living.

Medicinal Benefits of Bamboo Charcoal

Strange but true?

Should this be in the strange claims forum or not?

I am reminded of someone's signature here by Asimov that says science is advanced not by Eureka but by "thats funny/strange".

 

 

PS

I have some Black Bamboo, happy to swap with anyone with any interesting variety. Preferably in Australia due to our Feral Customs.

[Michaelangelica]

Gardeners starting to use char

Metropolitan Rural | The Garden is In!

 

Char very much a part of this community's life

International Chat: International Chat

[Michaelangelica]

This has been mentioned before but not quite in this context

 

Avoiding food poisoning on vacation

Dust your food with the contents of activated charcoal capsules to short-circuit intestinal bugs.

. . .

Calling activated charcoal "kind of an old-time remedy," Dr. Gittleman said it is her "favorite remedy when you think you have food poisoning."

SouthCoastToday.com: Avoiding food poisoning on vacation

[freeztar]

This has been mentioned before but not quite in this context

 

SouthCoastToday.com: Avoiding food poisoning on vacation

 

That's interesting M, but it doesn't sound quite right to me. I've of course heard of using activated charcoal for chemical poisonings, but not bacterial ones. Maybe it's the same as wee beasties in condos though. :)

[Michaelangelica]

That's interesting M, but it doesn't sound quite right to me. I've of course heard of using activated charcoal for chemical poisonings, but not bacterial ones. Maybe it's the same as wee beasties in condos though. :shrug:

MMMmmmmm

On second thought you may be right.

Although it would be nice to think you are wrong!

( I (we) had a post card from a friend who said she had caught Montezuma's Curse in S. America.

As she was A Good Catholic Girl we were a bit shocked and surprised, but it turned out to be diarrhoea-not what we had imagined :hyper:)

 

Do we have a medico or micro-biologist to help out here?

 

Where is Monomer when you need him (her?)

[freeztar]

MMMmmmmm

On second thought you may be right.

Although it would be nice to think you are wrong!

( I (we) had a post card from a friend who said she had caught Montezuma's Curse in S. America.

As she was A Good Catholic Girl we were a bit shocked and surprised, but it turned out to be diarrhoea-not what we had imagined :shrug:)

 

Do we have a medico or micro-biologist to help out here?

 

Where is Monomer when you need him (her?)

 

She's a her. :naughty:

I'd really like to know for sure as well because I'm travelling to Mexico in 5 months.

[Michaelangelica]

Charcoal, rain sustain trapped pig for 36 days after quake

(Xinhua)

Updated: 2008-06-23 16:47

BEIJING -- A 330-pound hog survived 36 days in the ruins of its sty, destroyed by last month's Sichuan Province earthquake, by chowing down charcoal and drinking rainwater, local media reported.

. . .

The pig ate charcoal, which although contains no nutrition, is also non-toxic and filling. The charcoal had been stored on the second story of its collapsed shelter.

. . .

 

The pig's rescue initially met with disbelief. "It is unbelievable that the pig was still alive after 36 days," a local vet said. "No matter how fat a pig is, it cannot live for five days without food and water."

Charcoal, rain sustain trapped pig for 36 days after quake

[Michaelangelica]

Gold Mining

Carbon in Pulp (CIP) is a technique for recovery of gold which has been liberated into a cyanide solution as part of the gold cyanidation process, a gold extraction technique.

Introduced in 1985, Carbon in Pulp is regarded as a simple and cheap process.

 

Currently, activated carbon acts like a sponge to aurocyanide and other complex ions in solution. Hard carbon particles (much larger than the ore particle sizes) can be mixed with the ore and cyanide solution mixture. The gold cyanide complex is adsorbed onto the carbon until it comes to an equilibrium with the gold in solution. Because the carbon particles are much larger than the ore particles, the coarse carbon can then be separated from the slurry by screening using a wire mesh.

 

Pharmaceutical

The Eco Carbon powder may be used in helping to clear stomach upsets, particularly poison ingestion.

 

Food Purification and Colouring

 

Eco Carbon beads can also be used in the purification and colouring of foods. There are other applications within the chemical industry too numerous to list here.

 

Eco Carbons Other Applications

Could the chemists please translate this gold thing for me please

Will it make me rich?

[Michaelangelica]

From an intersting article on old Dew or mist ponds.

The amount of dew collected by different materials is largely due to their nature.

W.C. Wells gives a list of materials according to their capacity for collecting dew.

By far the highest effect was found with swan's down, then flax and cotton, followed by silk, paper, straw, wool, earth, charcoal, glass-sand, river-sand, chalk powder --- a list which runs roughly parallel to the specific heats of the materials names.

Wolf Klaphake: "Practical Methods for Condensation of Water from the Atmosphere" ~ Proc. Soc. of Chemical Industry of Victoria (Australia) 37: 1093-1103 (1936)

 

'the specific heats of the materials names' ? what's that?

[Michaelangelica]

Building Indoor Gardens

The Importance of Carbon Air Filters

 

Although "hydroponics" literally means "water gardening," air purification is an important component. One of the challenges maintaining indoor hydroponic systems and indoor gardens is eliminating the many airborne contaminants that can cause your plants to sicken and even die. It's a good idea to have a blower of some kind that brings in plenty of fresh air to the space, but carbon filters are necessary in order to remove various potential toxins from the environment as well.

 

There's another important reason why when engaging in activities related to indoor horticulture, carbon filters are important, and that is to keep odors at a minimum.

 

 

Types of Carbon Air Filters

 

There are several types of carbon filters available:

 

- Powdered activated carbon (PAC)

 

- Granulated activated carbon (GAC)

 

- Extruded activated carbon (EAC)

 

- Impregnated carbon

 

- Polymers coated carbon

 

- Activated carbon fiber

 

Each of these has a specific use, not all of which are appropriate for hydroponic systems and indoor gardens. Indoor air filters are of the GAC type. Used on U.S. Navy submarines, granulated activated carbon filters contain a form of that element of which the granules are relatively larger than that found in powdered activated carbon air filters.

 

 

How Do Carbon Filters Work?

 

It is not possible to see the process by which activated carbon purifies air and water, nor even under any but the most powerful electron microscope. Carbon is activated by treating charcoal with oxygen, which opens up millions of "micropores" in the surface of the granules on the atomic level.

Building Indoor Gardens

 

The Benefits of Taking Activated Charcoal Supplements

By: Fabiola Castillo

Charcoal is used for removing toxins from the digestive track, alleviating digestion, and helping to treat cases of poisoning.

. . .

Some swear on charcoal effects on chronic flatulence.

However, this is still anecdotal and has not been medically proven.

Charcoal is mainly used as an absorbent of toxin in the stomach and intestinal tract. However, charcoal also absorbs some nutrients thus, weakening the effect of other food supplements. For this reason, charcoal should only be taken with the approval of your physician.

 

Activated charcoal lowers cholesterol level and lessens the danger of heart disease by absorbing fat.

Users also claim that charcoal cleans the body of environmental toxins, although this fact is yet to be established.

 

Form wise, activated charcoal comes in pills and powder. Experts advise that if you are using powdered charcoal then mix it with a tall glass of water and drink it with a straw. This will prevent your teeth from getting stained.

If your teeth do get stained, there have been some instances, then brush your teeth and rinse with water. The stains will wear off.

Do not consume activated charcoal with milk as dairy products lessen the effectiveness of charcoal.

 

For flatulence, mix two tablespoons of activated charcoal powder in a glass of water and drink with a straw, thirty minutes before a meal.

You may also take it by a 500 mg capsule after meals or every two hours; whichever is suitable.

Care should be taken not to ingest more than 4,000 mg within the period of 24 hours.

The Benefits of Taking Activated Charcoal Supplements

 

5 Effective Home Remedies to Help You Stop Sweating In Excess

2. Harness the Power of Activated Charcoal

 

This home-made remedy can be used to treat your problem, from the inside out. Results can be seen within two days and you can expect your sweating problems to be reduced to a significant amount. However do take note of a few precautionary measures. It is advisable to take charcoal on an empty stomach. However if it results in some undesirable conditions such as vomiting or tummy pain, change your time of intake to midday or even before you retire to bed.

5 Effective Home Remedies to Help You Stop Sweating In Excess

[Michaelangelica]

• There is evidence dating back to circa 1500 BC that the ancient Egyptians used charcoal to adsorb malodorous vapours from putrefying wounds.
  
• charcoal has also been found in ancient Chinese tombs, where it is thought to have been placed so as to regulate moisture in the air.
  
• Charcoal was used in gas masks during both world wars
  
• Charcoal today it is used in various commercial contexts including in the automotive industry, where it is used to help control exhaust emissions.
  
• Charcoal is well-known as a medicine which aids digestion and treats acute toxic poisoning.
  

Its properties were demonstrated in dramatic fashion by a pharmacist called P F Touery in 1831, who proved the effectiveness of charcoal in cases of poisoning by swallowing 15 grammes of strychnine (apparently, 10 times the lethal dose) and three tablespoons of charcoal.

He survived, but we don't recommend you try...

http://www.charcoalpeople.co.uk/diary

 

Our Products

 

Bamboo charcoal for water filtration (made in Japan)

 

* 4 piece pack (35g approx) £4.00

* 8 piece pack (70g approx) £7.80

* 12 piece pack (105g approx) £11.40

* 16 piece pack (140g approx) £14.80

 

How much charcoal do I need?

1 litre jug 4 pieces

1.5 litre jug 6 pieces

2 litre jug 8 pieces

 

(NB We recommend to use for 2 months as water filters and then to reuse around the house.)

 

--

Is this expensive?

It is activated

SEE

Unlike many filters, the water is not poured through the charcoal, but the charcoal remains in the water for several hours, so giving it time to filter the water fully. The difference in temperature between different parts of the jug will cause a convection current which keeps the water circulating, even though its movement may not be noticeable to the eye.

http://www.charcoalpeople.co.uk/how-it-works

Directions for Use

 

1. Wash the bamboo charcoal in running water until all black powder has been removed.

(NB: Do not use soap or washing-up liquid.)

 

2. Boil for ten minutes in a pan of water to sterilise it and let it dry completely.

3. Place in a jug and fill with tap water.

 

4. for best results leave for 8 hours or more.

 

Your water is now ready to drink!

 

5. Repeat 2. to re-sterilise once a week.

 

6. Replace your charcoal with a new piece approximately after two months.

Products

 

You would think they could, at least, do steps 1 and 2 for you, at that price?

What do ya reckon? Doggy?

[freeztar]

It's obviously a scam. Char is char, doesn't really matter where it comes from (if it's activated). And yes, I agree, they could at least do steps 1 and 2 for the consumer. :)

[Michaelangelica]

The suitability of a mixture of plaster of Paris and charcoal as a means to regulate the moisture content of coffee berries and the relative humidity (moisture conditions) of the rearing environment and its impact on rearing the coffee berry borer

Development of an improved laboratory production technique for the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei, using fresh coffee berries

 

Authors: Jaramillo, Juliana; Chabi-Olaye, Adenirin1; Poehling, Hans-Michael2; Kamonjo, Charles1; Borgemeister, Christian1

 

Source: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Volume 130, Number 3, March 2009 , pp. 275-281(7)

 

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

 

The suitability of a mixture of plaster of Paris and charcoal as a means to regulate the moisture content of coffee berries and the relative humidity (moisture conditions) of the rearing environment and its impact on rearing the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was evaluated under laboratory conditions using two types of coffee.

Coffee berries were kept individually in vials with a 1-cm layer of the mixture, and the fresh weight of the berries was assessed, as well as the penetration of CBB into the berries, its survival, and its progeny production over a period of 55 days.

Significantly higher survival and progeny production was achieved when using the mixture regardless of the coffee type.

Compared to the vials without plaster of Paris/charcoal, a six- to sevenfold increase in survivorship of the F1 was recorded when using plaster of Paris/charcoal and in the latter treatment berries harboured on average more than 100 individuals, whereas only 1.7 in the vials without plaster of Paris.

 

Keywords: rearing; borer; total progeny; Coleoptera; Curculionidae; survival; fecundity; sex ratio

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1570-7458.2008.00820.x

Affiliations: 1: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), PO Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya 2: Institute of Plant Diseases and Plant Protection, University of Hanover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hanover, Germany

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

 

$42.40 plus tax

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Why would anyone want to encourage the health of such a vile critter, first off

Secondly who the f*** would blow 40 some bucks for an article on it....wierd.....

[freeztar]

Why would anyone want to encourage the health of such a vile critter, first off

Secondly who the f*** would blow 40 some bucks for an article on it....wierd.....

 

An efficient way to test the effectiveness of various controls for the borers in the lab is to raise them in situ.

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Hmmmm.....K that makes perfect sence....Hope they is figurin out how to anihilate them damn bastards....My 3Gal. a day habit depends on it:hihi:

 

BTW no that ain't a typo or an exaggeration on average I drink three gallons of coffee a day.