What are smelling salts?
The main ingredient of smelling salts which is also called ‘sal volatile’ is ammonium carbonate, a white crystalline solid, which was earlier obtained from the horns or hooves of the male deer and its perfume which gives them an interesting aroma. Nowadays, the smelling salts that are available in the market are made by mixing ammonia with water and ethanol and has the smelling salt formula ((NH4)2CO3H2O). The combination of these ingredients gives rise to certain fumes that irritate the mucus membranes of the nose, lungs and throat, thus making the person breathe normally. Inhaling smelling salts also helps in increasing oxygen supply to the brain relieving a person from headaches. How to Use Smelling Salts Smelling salts are easily available in medical shops or can be purchased from Internet sites that sell first aid supplies. Whenever someone faints or feels dizzy, open a packet of smelling salts and keep it below his/her nostrils. Once the person takes in the fumes released by the
