What are the benefits of drinking ashes? A Critical Look at a Dangerous Practice

While some online rumors and historical practices suggest benefits, there are absolutely no legitimate health benefits associated with drinking ashes. In fact, ingesting ashes of any kind is a dangerous practice that can expose the body to serious toxins and heavy metals, leading to severe health complications and even death.

Quick Summary

Ingesting ashes from any source—be it cremated remains, wood, or tobacco—offers no health benefits and is exceptionally hazardous. The practice can expose the body to heavy metals, carcinogens, and other toxins, leading to serious medical issues like heavy metal poisoning, organ damage, and long-term health problems.

Key Points

• No Health Benefits: There are no proven health benefits to drinking ashes of any kind. The practice is based on misinformation and is exceptionally dangerous.

• Not Activated Charcoal: Ash from burnt wood, cigarettes, or cremated remains is not the same as activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is a specially processed medical product, while regular ash contains harmful toxins.

• Risk of Heavy Metal Poisoning: Ash from fireplaces or cremains can contain heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic, which can cause severe and lasting organ damage if ingested.

• Psychological and Cultural Factors: The compulsion to eat non-food items like ash can be a symptom of pica, a psychological disorder that requires professional attention. Historical rituals involving ash are distinct and not recommended today.

• Immediate Medical Attention is Required: Anyone who ingests ashes should seek immediate medical help. Do not attempt self-treatment, as the specific contaminants can vary widely.

• Causes Digestive and Organ Damage: Ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal distress, chemical burns, and long-term damage to the digestive system, kidneys, and liver.

Debunking the Myth: Why Drinking Ashes Has No Benefits

There is no scientific basis for the claim that consuming ashes offers any health benefits. This dangerous idea may stem from confusion with activated charcoal, a medically processed substance used under strict supervision. Unlike activated charcoal, which is purified carbon, common ash from burnt materials contains various harmful substances.

The Composition and Risks of Common Ashes

Different types of ash contain dangerous elements that make them unsafe for ingestion.

The Dangers of Wood and Wildfire Ash

Wood ash often contains heavy metals absorbed from the environment and concentrated during burning, as well as potential toxins from treated wood. Wildfire ash can include chemicals from burnt synthetic materials.

• Heavy Metals: Can cause severe organ damage.
• Carcinogens: Burning can create cancer-causing agents.
• Other Contaminants: Wildfire ash can contain toxins from burnt plastics and other materials.

The Harm of Consuming Human Cremated Remains

Cremated remains are primarily bone fragments, not ash. They are high in calcium phosphate and contain trace minerals and metals from dental work or implants.

• High Alkalinity: Can disrupt the body's pH balance and harm the digestive tract.
• Heavy Metals: Trace metals from implants or fillings are not safe to ingest.
• Lack of Bioavailability: The body cannot absorb or utilize the minerals effectively.

Why Activated Charcoal Is Fundamentally Different

Activated charcoal is a purified medical product used to treat certain poisonings by trapping toxins in the digestive system. It is created through a specific process to be highly porous. Regular ash lacks this structure, contains impurities, and is dangerous to consume.

Psychological and Historical Contexts for Ash Consumption

While not medically beneficial, ash consumption can occur for psychological or historical reasons.

• Pica: A disorder involving eating non-food items, sometimes linked to deficiencies or mental health.
• Ritual Mourning: Some historical cultures practiced ingesting remains as a ritual.
• Historical Uses: Ancient accounts mention gladiators consuming plant ash, but this is distinct from modern ash consumption.

Health Risks of Ingesting Ashes: A Symptom Breakdown

Ingesting ashes can cause various negative health effects.

• Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, vomiting, pain, and diarrhea.
• Heavy Metal Poisoning: Can cause organ damage and neurological issues.
• Chemical Burns: High alkalinity in some ashes can irritate or burn tissues.
• Respiratory Issues: Inhaling ash particles can cause irritation.
• Cancer Risk: Long-term exposure to carcinogens in ash increases cancer risk.

A Comparison of Ash and Activated Charcoal

Feature	Common Ash (Wood, Cremains, etc.)	Activated Charcoal (Medical Grade)
Composition	Impure carbon with heavy metals, minerals, and toxins.	Highly porous, purified carbon.
Toxicity	Potentially very toxic due to contaminants like lead, mercury, and arsenic.	Non-toxic in controlled, medical doses.
Purity	Unregulated and highly variable, contains harmful impurities.	Regulated, purified, and designed for medical use.
Purpose	None for human ingestion. Extremely dangerous.	Medical treatment for poisoning and overdoses.
Absorption	Poorly and unpredictably absorbed by the body.	High surface area for adsorbing toxins in the GI tract.
Recommendation	Never consume.	Use only under professional medical supervision.

What to Do If Someone Has Drunk Ashes

Immediate medical attention is necessary if someone has ingested ashes.

1. Seek Medical Help Immediately: Contact poison control or emergency services.
2. Provide Context: Inform medical staff about the type and amount of ash ingested.
3. Do Not Induce Vomiting: Do not cause vomiting unless advised by a medical professional.
4. Monitor Symptoms: Observe and report any symptoms.

For more information on toxic exposure, consult the American Association of Poison Control Centers: https://www.aapcc.org/.

Conclusion: A Clear Verdict on a Dangerous Idea

Drinking ashes offers no health benefits and poses significant risks due to toxins and heavy metals. This practice is a dangerous myth distinct from the medical use of activated charcoal. Ingesting ash can lead to severe health problems, including organ damage. Anyone considering this or exhibiting pica symptoms should seek professional medical and mental health help immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to drink diluted wood ash?

No, it is not safe to drink diluted wood ash. Wood ash contains heavy metals and other toxins that can be harmful when ingested, even in small or diluted amounts. The concentration of these dangerous substances can vary widely and is unpredictable.

Are there any health benefits to drinking human cremated remains?

There are no health benefits to drinking human cremated remains. The remains are primarily pulverized bone (calcium phosphate) with no nutritional value. Ingesting them can expose the body to heavy metals and cause digestive problems due to their high alkalinity.

What happens if a child accidentally ingests ash?

If a child accidentally ingests ash, especially from a fireplace or cigarettes, you should seek immediate medical attention. Call a poison control center or emergency services. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, and more severe health issues depending on the ash's composition.

Why is activated charcoal different from regular ash?

Activated charcoal is a medically processed and purified form of carbon with a large surface area designed to trap specific toxins in the gut. Regular ash is impure, contains toxins and heavy metals, and lacks the proper structure for safe and effective medical use.

Could consuming ashes lead to heavy metal poisoning?

Yes, consuming ashes can absolutely lead to heavy metal poisoning. Ash often contains concentrated amounts of heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium from the source material, which can accumulate in the body and cause severe health complications.

Are there spiritual or cultural practices that involve drinking ashes?

Yes, in certain historical and non-Western cultures, rituals involving the consumption of human remains (often ground bone and ash) have existed. These were typically done for mourning or spiritual reasons, not for health benefits, and are not recommended today.

Can I use ashes for a 'detox' cleanse?

No, you should never use ashes for a detox cleanse. This is a very dangerous and ineffective practice. The body has its own detoxification system (liver, kidneys). For a medical detox, a healthcare professional may use activated charcoal in specific scenarios, but never regular ash.