Coffea carbo

Coffea carbo, also known as coffee charcoal, is a drug monographed by Commission E.

CommissionE monograph: Non-specific, acute diarrheal diseases and for mild inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa

HMPC: not processed

ESCOP: not processed

Note: The combination of myrrh, chamomile flower extractand coffee charcoal (Myrrhinil intest®) is recommended in the guidelines for ulcerative colitis.

Coffea carbo contains decaffeinated vegetable charcoal, which is produced by roasting and then grinding the green, dried fruits of Coffea arabica and other Coffea species.

Coffea carbo has an antibacterial effect against bacteria in the mouth area and is also absorbent and astringent.

Coffee charcoal is used for the treatment of non-specific, acute diarrhoea and mild inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.

The average daily dose of the drug is 9 g. The ground coffee charcoal can be taken in suspension and administered for local application.

There are no known adverse effects. The absorption of simultaneously administered drugs can be reduced. If administered in too large quantities and/or for too long, important food components can also be irreversibly bound.

There are no known contraindications. Caution with constipation.

No data available for pregnancy and lactation, as well as children under 12 years of age.

Due to the absorption capacity, the absorption of other drugs administered at the same time may be impaired.

1. Hermann PT et al. (2014) Hunnius, Pharmaceutical Dictionary. Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston, p.430
2. Schilcher H (2016) Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, p. 172 f.
3. https://register.awmf.org/assets/guidelines/021-009l_S3_Colitis-ulcerosa_2023-03.pdf