Carbo Vegetabilis is a homeopathic remedy prepared from vegetable charcoal. In homeopathic practice it is traditionally associated with sluggish digestion, marked bloating and belching, and a run-down, air-hungry state where a person feels weak, cold and craves being fanned. It has earned the nickname the corpse reviver in classical texts.
This page explains its source, the complaints it has traditionally been linked to, the symptom picture that points to it, and the forms and potencies you are likely to find.
The short version: A charcoal remedy classically linked with heavy bloating, belching and a weak, cold, air-hungry feeling.
What is Carbo Vegetabilis and where does it come from?
Carbo Vegetabilis is made from vegetable charcoal, traditionally prepared from charred wood such as beech or silver birch. The charcoal is triturated and then diluted and succussed to make the homeopathic remedy.
Charcoal has long been associated with gas and digestion in folk use, and the homeopathic remedy is proved for a picture of stagnation, poor circulation and low vitality.
What is Carbo Vegetabilis traditionally used for?
Remedy selection in homeopathy rests on the whole picture. Carbo Vegetabilis is traditionally associated with:
- Bloating and trapped wind, especially in the upper abdomen, relieved a little by belching.
- Sluggish, weak digestion after rich or fatty food, even simple food disagreeing.
- Feeling faint, cold and exhausted, with a craving for fresh, moving air and to be fanned.
- Coldness of the body with, at the same time, a desire for open air.
- Low vitality after illness or after being run down.
Who typically reaches for it?
The classic Carbo Veg picture is someone bloated and belching, feeling weak and cold to the touch yet desperate for air, often asking for a window open or a fan. Digestion feels stalled, and the person seems slow to bounce back after being unwell.
Symptoms are typically better for belching and fresh air, and worse from rich food, warmth and lying flat.
What forms and potencies does it come in?
Like most classical remedies, Carbo Vegetabilis is prepared by serial dilution and succussion from its source material. You will most often see it in small lactose pillules or tablets, and sometimes as liquid drops or in combination formulas alongside complementary remedies.
In home self-care it is commonly used in low to medium potencies such as 6C or 30C. Lower potencies are often chosen for more physical, everyday complaints, while 30C is a popular general-purpose strength. Higher potencies are usually reserved for guidance from an experienced homeopath.
Your natural toolkit — and which to reach for
You'll find Carbo Vegetabilis presented as a single remedy in the pick below, prepared as ampoules.
Carbo Vegetabilis Injeel - Ampoules — reach for this if you want Carbo Vegetabilis as a single-remedy ampoule preparation.
Featured products
Carbo Vegetabilis Injeel - Ampoules
A single-remedy Carbo Vegetabilis preparation in ampoule form.
Explore the full United Remedies range — blending homeopathy from Heel, Guna and Sanum with Weleda’s plant-based topicals and Zooki’s liposomal supplements.
Common questions
What is Carbo Vegetabilis made from?
It is prepared homeopathically from vegetable charcoal, usually charred beech or birch wood, which is triturated and diluted.
What is it best known for?
Traditionally, heavy bloating and belching alongside a weak, cold, air-hungry state, which is why classical texts nicknamed it the corpse reviver.
What potency is typical?
Low to medium potencies such as 6C or 30C are common for home use; a homeopath may advise differently.
Note: This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Homeopathic remedies are used within a long tradition of self-care; they are not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, or if you are unsure, please speak to a qualified health professional.