Smelling salts, also called fragrant ammonia, are a stimulant that’s inhaled via the nostril. They’re sometimes 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 programs. This may help to extend coronary heart fee, blood stress, and respiratory.
Smelling salts have been used for hundreds of years to deal with a wide range of situations, together with fainting, shock, and nausea. They’re additionally typically utilized by athletes to enhance efficiency. Nevertheless, smelling salts must be used with warning, as they’ll trigger unwanted side effects reminiscent of dizziness, headache, and seizures.