Smelling salts, also referred to as fragrant ammonia, are a stimulant that’s inhaled by the nostril. They’re usually used to revive somebody who has fainted or is feeling faint. Smelling salts work by irritating the mucous membranes within the nostril, which triggers a reflex that stimulates the respiratory and circulatory techniques. This may help to extend coronary heart price, blood strain, and respiratory.
Smelling salts have been used for hundreds of years to deal with a wide range of circumstances, together with fainting, shock, and nausea. They’re additionally generally utilized by athletes to enhance efficiency. Nonetheless, smelling salts must be used with warning, as they’ll trigger unwanted effects comparable to dizziness, headache, and seizures.