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Title: Smelling Salts? Post by: EJ on September 07, 2009, 11:36:05 PM I keep a bottle of Mackenzie's Smelling Salts in the car - handy if i get that "nodding off" feeling which can come even if I'm not tired.
However they're not always available here so I did wonder about making them. Ammonia and menthol? But would the crystals be menthol or a salt - would either of these be dissolved by the ammonia? Or is there a solid form of ammonia? Title: Re: Smelling Salts? Post by: zuriua on September 07, 2009, 11:51:10 PM I'm afraid i don't have the answer to your questions Elaine but wanted to say that that is a great tip about keeping smelling salts in the car.
Thanks for sharing! Title: Re: Smelling Salts? Post by: Honey on September 08, 2009, 07:23:59 AM Don't think I've ever smelt smelling salts. Didn't even know you could still buy them.
Title: Re: Smelling Salts? Post by: Scott on September 08, 2009, 08:23:13 AM Smelling salts used to be made from ammonium carbonate, which gently decomposes to give a little ammonia gas in the top of the bottle. Ammonia liquid would be far too strong and would need to be stabilised - not sure I would recommend making these at home, but, if I wanted to make a product with a similar function I would mix some ammonia (few drops) into some fullers earth (I would use cat litter actually) - the FE would absorb the ammonia and gently release ammonia gas (by gently release, I'm talking in chemical terms, I might still blow your head off!) A few menthol crystals could also be added.
Take care! Title: Re: Smelling Salts? Post by: EJ on September 08, 2009, 11:28:29 AM Thanks Scott - I didn't think liquid ammonia could be the answer and wasn't aware of ammonium carbonate.
Would coarse pumice grains work ('cos I don't think cat litter is available in small amounts and our cat doesn't use/need a tray). Title: Re: Smelling Salts? Post by: corrie on September 08, 2009, 12:14:06 PM We've a bottle of Mackenzie salts in the first aid box, bought not that long ago. I can't stand the smell but John swears by them when he's stuffed up. Think they are still fairly easy to get hold of.
Title: Re: Smelling Salts? Post by: EJ on September 08, 2009, 01:08:53 PM Quote Think they are still fairly easy to get hold of They are generally - but not necessarily in Corwen. I've often wondered how to make them though. (just looked up sal volatile: Quote A hydroalcoholic solution containing approximately 2% ammonia and 4% ammonium carbonate and the aromatics: lemon oil, lavender oil, and myristica oil. Used mainly by inhalation to produce reflex stimulation in persons who have fainted or are at risk of syncope. Synonyms: sal volatile, smelling salts. |