What are the effects and functions of potassium nitrate?

There is another name for sodium sulfate, which is called Glauber's salt. Potassium salt can be said to be a chemical crystal, commonly found in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi and other regions. Potassium saltpeter has many functions and effects. It is often used as a heat-clearing and detoxifying drug, a laxative, etc., and is very effective.

Pharmacological Action

1. Laxative effect: Mangxiao is sodium sulfate containing impurities, while Xuanmingfen is pure sodium sulfate. After oral administration, its sulfate ions are not easily absorbed by the intestinal mucosa, and remain in the intestine to become a hypertonic solution, which increases the water content in the intestine, causes mechanical stimulation, and promotes intestinal peristalsis. Salts also have a chemical irritating effect on the intestinal mucosa, but do not damage it. When an overly concentrated solution reaches the duodenum, it can cause pyloric spasm, thereby delaying the emptying of all drugs from the stomach. At the same time, it can absorb water from the tissues into the intestinal tract. Therefore, you should drink plenty of water to dilute it when taking it. The laxative effect occurs 4-6 hours after taking it, and liquid stool is discharged. If used to treat tissue edema, drink less water.

2. Relieve appendicitis: For rabbits with experimental appendicitis and appendix perforation, applying a paste of rhubarb, silver carnation, garlic and an appropriate amount of vinegar to the abdomen has a significant stimulating effect on the reticuloendothelial system of the appendix and spleen, enhancing their proliferation and phagocytic ability, and significantly reducing appendicitis compared with the control group.

3. Inducing intestinal nerve reflex: When garlic and mango paste is applied externally on the right lower abdomen of normal rabbits, the local skin will experience irritation symptoms such as fever, redness, and blistering, and the motility of the small intestine, appendix, and pouch-like colon will be enhanced; after local ring sealing with 1% procaine, the intestinal motility will be weakened. Therefore, its action is caused by a neural reflex. Due to the enhanced peristalsis, abundant blood supply, and enhanced phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system, the body's intrinsic disease resistance is mobilized.

4. Reduce swelling and relieve pain: Applying 10-25% sodium sulfate solution to infected trauma can accelerate lymphogenesis, reduce swelling and relieve pain.

5. Diuresis: Intravenous drip of 4.3% sterile sodium sulfate solution can be used as a diuretic to treat anuria and uremia.