• Charcoal pills can relieve the symptoms associated with GERD.charcoal image by Sergey Kolesnikov from Fotolia.com
  
  Charcoal is best known in America for cooking steaks and hamburgers, but charcoal pills have many different uses. Charcoal pills have been used as a poison control measure and to to battle indigestion and reflux disease. Those who wish to reap the benefits of charcoal should contact a doctor first, as charcoal can interact with some medications.
  
  

Gastrointestinal Benefits

• Taking charcoal pills from your local health food store can greatly reduce gastrointestinal symptoms such as indigestion, intestinal problems and digestive trouble. According to the website Wellsphere, charcoal is thought to absorb gas and neutralizes stomach acids that cause gastrointestinal distress. Those suffering from more severe gastrointestinal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may find relief from charcoal supplements as well.
  
  

Poison Control

• Charcoal pills are a must in any first aid kit or for those who have children. The benefits of charcoal for poison control are well known. In the event of an accidental poisoning, contact your local poison control center. Operators are trained to recognize serious poisoning symptoms and may instruct you to use charcoal pills to reduce symptoms until medical help arrives. Using charcoal pills for poisoning is effective, but the pills must be administered quickly for maximum benefits.
  
  

Detoxification

• Charcoal is a nutritional supplement that is often used in detoxification of the body. Taking charcoal pills can help rid the body of toxins from pollution, water, food and infectious agents. Detoxifying the body with charcoal can reduce the signs of aging, reduce allergic reactions and increase immune function. Charcoal has also been used to clear intoxicants such as alcohol from the liver. Taking activated charcoal pills shortens the amount of time it takes for alcohol to exit the body and can decrease the duration of symptoms.