Nitrum, Saltpeter, Niter, Potassium nitrate, Xiao Shi 硝石 Kali nitricum, Nitrum depuratum, Nitrum prismaticum, Sal petra Xiao Shi (TCM) Yavakshara, Saindhava, Ushara or Sora (Ayurveda) Shora Qalmi (Unani) Ze tsha  ཟེ་ཚ  (Tibetan)

Ortus Sanitatis, Beck, 1517

The preparation of Saltpeter
(Museum Museorum, Valentini, 1704)

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

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Mineralogical Name:
Nitrum; Potassium nitrate

Parts Used:
Salt

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Bitter, Salty, Pungent. Slightly toxic.
Salmon said Cool, but the Lexion of Alchemy said Warm and dry in the second degree.
Some Daoist texts said it could be Cold or Hot.

Classifications:

2A. APERIENT MEDICINES    2B. ATTENUATERS    2F. PURIFYING.    2M. DRAWING
3E. DIURETIC
4k. ARTHRITIC

Uses:

1. Promotes Sweat, Clears Heat and Poison (West, TCM, Ayurveda):
-‘much used in inflammatory diseases’.
-Previously much used in Fevers and Sore Throat: ‘It is sometimes given in Tonsillitis, which, if given in large doses, it will abort’ (Ellingwood).
-Small Pox, Measles, Influenza; various other acute Fevers including that of acute Rheumatism.
-An old remedy for Snakebite is 1 teaspoonful of Saltpeter taken in water. (Larger doses are necessary for these purposes)

2. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-heat-type bleeding of the Lungs, Stomach, Bowels, Uterus and other organs when associated with Fever. (Ayurveda)
-Hematuria (TCM)

3. Promotes Urine, Clears Damp, Opens Obstructions:
-Edema and urinary obstructions; burning, frequent, urgent or dribbling urine
-Gravel, Stones; also Gall Stones
-Jaundice
-Long used for both acute and chronic Rheumatism, Myalgia, Lumbago and Sciatica.

4. Clears Phlegm, Opens Obstructions (West, TCM, Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine):
-obstructions including solid abdominal masses, intestinal obstruction, constipation and chest congestion;
–Salmon listed it for Pleurisy and Peri-pneumonia, and said it is excellent against Coughs and Asthma.
-Catarrh in Ayurveda;
-In ‘Diospoliticum’, it is used for ‘such whose meat is putrified in their stomachs’.
-in Tibetan Medicine for indigestion and Stomach disorders.
–Paracelsus noted it reduces ‘too obese bodies’.
-Painful Lumps

5. Stops Wind (West, TCM, Ayurveda):
-Headache due to general weakness, depression and Kidney deficiency. (TCM)
-has been used for Madness (West).
-stop the upwards movement of Wind in Ayurveda also.
-has been used for Hypertension.

6. Kills Worms. (West, Ayurveda)

7. Used in the Preparation of Metals and Minerals:
-Niter is used in the preparation of metals and minerals: it opens these hard bodies enough to extract their Yin essence, often in the form of an Oil or Tincture.
-Softens Metals, fixes and refines Minerals (Daoist text)
-‘It brings the 72 minerals into aqueous solution’. (Daoist text; Explorations in Taoism, Ho Peng Yoke, 2007)

8. Externally:
-in solution for Bruises, Abrasions and Contusions
-remove skin blemishes and Freckles
-Carbuncles, Abscesses, Pimples
-used externally as a wash for Headaches from heat, as well as to cool the body in Fevers (50 grams per liter of water)
-Severe Headache, use as a snuff (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
-Corneal Opacity (TCM)
-acute Rheumatism, saturated cloths of the above liquor are applied constantly to the inflamed joints.
-Gangrene
-applied to Leeches to cause them to fall off

Comment:

1. ‘Note that Salt peter is the special key and chief agent that opens most bodies and the most solid things, as well stones and metals, and brings (dissolves) Gold and Silver into liquor with the proper waters’ (Salmon). It has been used universally for this function in preparing gems, metals and stones fit for medicine. Medicinally, it is used to ‘Open’ obstructions including: stones, masses, congealed blood, jaundice, edema and constipation, chest tightness and congestion etc. Ayurveda says it is easily capable of spreading throughout the body.
2. ‘The drug is an active eliminating agent. It neutralises excess of acidity in the blood and urine, and rapidly relieves the blood of morbistic material’ (Ellingwood)

Dose:

1. The traditional Salt was usually only 45-75% Potassium Nitrate, and therefore traditional formulas using this salt can have one-third to one-half less of the modern refined product; but this depends on whether the source of the formula was an old source or a modern source.
2. It can be given in rice congee or Barley water during fevers and in heat conditions. It may be sweetened with sugar or honey, and lemon or lime juice can be added to taste.

SALTPETER: 200 mg-1300 mg (up to 2, 3 grams has been used), 2 or 3 times daily. It is powdered and taken with water, with 1 gram being the average dose. Traditionally, 0.5–1 scruple, up to 1 and rarely 2 drams was used (of the impure product)
Of BURNT SALTPETER: 250–500mg, twice daily.
SPIRITS of NITER (Nitric Acid): only the Dilute Acid (10% strength) is used internally: 1-6, or 8 drops in water, with 3 drops every 3 hours being the usual dose.

Main Combinations:

Urinary, Jaundice:
1. Edema:
i. Saltpeter with Oxymel
ii. Saltpeter with Rhubarb and Sal ammoniac (as in Pills of Rhubarb of Unani)
iii. Saltpeter with Decoction of 5 Roots (Ratier)
2. Diuretic, and acute Urethritis:
i. Saltpeter with Gum Arabic, Licorice, Marshmallow root (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)
ii. Saltpeter with Oyster shell, Gum Arabic, Licorice, Marshmallow (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)
iii. Saltpeter with Decoction of Cough grass, Oxymel of Squill
iv. Saltpeter with Barley Water, Oil of Almonds, Syrup of Marshmallow (Formulaire Magistral et Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1823)
v. calcined Niter (8 parts), Swallow-wort root (6 parts), Squill (1 part). (Pharmacopoeia medici practici universalis, Bruxelles, 1817)
vi. with Distilled Waters of Pellitory of the Wall, of Parsley, of Bean skin (1 oz. each), Nitric acid (1 scruple), Syrup of Lemon (1 oz.). Mix for a dose. (Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1824)
vii. Saltpeter with Decoction of Asparagus root and Oxymel of Squill
3. Stones:
i. Saltpeter with Gum Arabic and Oil of Juniper
ii. Saltpeter with Alum, Talc, Turmeric, Licorice (TCM, Barefoot Doctors Manual)
4. Jaundice:
i. Saltpeter with Rhubarb, Sal Ammoniac, Turpeth, Iron oxide (as in Pills for Jaundice of Unani)
ii. Saltpeter, burnt Alum, taken in Barley wort for Black Jaundice (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

Infection, Poison, Heat disease:
5. Fever and against Epidemics:
i. Saltpeter (10 grains), Camphor (4–8 grains), Gum Arabic (1 scruple).
ii. Saltpeter (1 ½ oz.), Crab’s Eyes saturated with citric acid (1 oz.), Armenian Earth (1 ½ oz.), Camphor (1 dram). Powder, dose from 1–2 scruples. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
iii. Saltpeter with Myrrh, Saffron, Aloe, Flowers of Sulphur and Bezoar (Sennertus)
iv. Saltpeter with Camphor and Saffron
v. Intermittent Fever, Saltpeter with Cranberry juice (Niemann)
vi. Saltpeter with Decoction of Barley, Oxymel
vii. inflammatory Fevers, Saltpeter with Barley Water and Syrup of Vinegar
viii. Saltpeter with Barley Water and Lemon juice
ix. Saltpeter, Potassium sulphate (2 drams each), Cream of Tartar (1 oz.). Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoonful every 2–3 hourly. (Hufeland)
6. Influenza:
i. Saltpeter with Sulphur to prevent and cure
ii. take Saltpeter in a decoction of Barley
7. Erysipelas, Saltpeter (2 drams), Decoction of Couch grass (6 oz.), Oxymel (1 oz.). Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoonful. (Sobernheim, 1840)
8. Diarrhea, Dystentery, Saltpeter, Sulphur, Alum, Talc and flour are formed into pills (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
9. Syphilis and Strangury, Saltpeter with Cardamon (Elettaria), Rhubarb, Cumin, Cubeb (as in Powder Andari Julab of Unani)
10. Gonorrhea:
i. Saltpeter with Melon seed, Camphor
ii. Saltpeter with Cardamon, Cubeb, Olibanum, Turmeric (Ayurveda)
iii. Saltpeter with Sulphur and Alum (as in Electuary for Gonorrhea of Unani)
iv. form an emulsion with Hemp seed, add Saltpeter (10 grains), Camphor (6 grains), Syrup of Water Lily. (Nouveau Formulaire Medicale et Pharmaceutique, 1820)
v. irritation of the Urethra from Gonorrhea: Saltpeter (1–2 drams) dissolve in emulsion prepared from ½ oz. of Poppy seed (6 oz.), extract of Henbane (½ scruple), Syrup of Almond (1 oz.). Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoonful every 2 hours. (Sobernheim, 1840)

Joints:
11. Gout:
i. Saltpeter, Rhubarb, Guaiacum
ii. Saltpeter with Potassium bicarbonate
12. Rheumatism:
i. Saltpeter with Sulphur, Epsom salts, Ginger
ii. Heat-type rheumatism: Saltpeter (2–4 drams), Elder Flower water (5 oz.), Oxymel (1 oz.), mix. Dose: 1 teaspoonful every 2 hours.
iii. Saltpeter with sublimed Sulphur, Guaiacum, Rhubarb made into an electuary with Molasses (as in Chelsea Pensioner)
iv. Saltpeter with sublimed Sulphur, Guaiacum, Nutmeg, Colchicum mixed with Syrup to an electuary.

Lung:
13. Catarrh, Saltpeter with Orris root (Pharmacopoeia extemporanea, Augustin, 1822)
14. Lung inflammation in children, Saltpeter (2 scruples), Fennel water (2 oz.), Henbane extract (5 grains), Syrup of Marshmallow (1 oz.). Dose: 1 teaspoonful every 2 hours. (Sobernheim, 1840)
15. Pleurisy, Saltpeter with Red Coral, Red Poppy flower, Sugar of Violets

Other:
16. Poor digestion with engorgement of the abdominal organs (Decoctum Stomachicum Resolvens): Saltpeter with Bitter Decoction and Dandelion
17. Madness, Saltpeter with Pearl and Camphor
18. Painful Lumps, Saltpeter, Sulphur, Citrus peel (Chen Pi), Green Citrus peel (Qing Pi) (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

Externally:
19. Acute Sore Throat:
i. mix Saltpeter with honey and vinegar, use as a gargle
ii. mix Saltpeter with Barley Water and Oxymel (Nouveau Formulaire Medicale et Pharmaceutique, 1820)
iii. Saltpeter, Borax, Dead Silkworm (Bai Jiang Can) blown directly on the throat (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
20. Gangrene, dissolve Saltpeter in vinegar and use as a wash
21. Obstinate Leukorrhea, Saltpeter with Alum (internally). (Ayurveda)
22. Cooling Enema for Fevers:
i. Saltpeter (½ dram), Decoction of Linseed (5 oz.), Linseed oil, Oxymel (1 oz. each). (Saunders)
ii. Saltpeter (1 dram), Barley Water (10 oz.), Honey (1 oz.) (Pharmacopoeia extemporanea, Augustin, 1822)
iii. Saltpeter (1 dram), Decoction of Barley (5 oz.), Simple Oxymel (1 oz.). Dissolve and use warm. (Sobernheim, 1840)
iv. Saltpeter (1 dram), Whey (4 oz.), Oxymel (1 oz.)
23. Enema for excess Phlegm in the Intestines, dry Figs, Dill, Honey and Saltpeter. (Avicenna)
24. Furuncles, Aphtha, dissolve Saltpeter in Honey water and apply (Avicenna)
25. Watery discharge from the Ear, prepare an ointment with lanolin, honey, wine and Saltpeter. (Avicenna)
26. Obesity, Edema, add a good proportion of Saltpeter to the bath

Major Formulas:

Powder for Catarrh
Lesser Cumin Composition (Diospoliticum) (Galen)
Compound Guaiacum Confection (Chelsea Pensioer)
Electuary for Asthma (2)
Pills for Retention of Urine (Wirtzung)

Greater Salt Combination (Tshwa sbyor chen mo) (Tibetan)
Greater Universal Women’s Disease Conqueror (Mo nad spyi ‘joms chen mo) (Tibetan)
Pills of Rhubarb for Edema (Unani)
Powder of Tribulus (Goksuradi Churna) (Ayurveda)

Cautions:

1. Do not overdose; do not use for more than 2-3 weeks without a break.
2. Large doses can cause gastric and renal irritation. This can be avoided by keeping doses to a minimum, and with the administration of demulcents, or by adequate dilution in a suitable liquid.
3. Toxic effects can include gastroenteritis with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, vertigo, muscular weakness, irregular pulse, convulsions and collapse. The Toxic dose varies greatly, ranging from 15-30 grams in some people, while much larger doses have been taken with no serious side-effects in others.
4. More recently, there has been much concern over the use of Nitrates (which are still often used as food additives). The concern is the transformation of Nitrates to Nitrosamines, which are Free Radicals and Carcinogenic.

Main Preparations used:

Sal Prunellae (Fused Potassium Nitrate), Crystal Mineral, Nitric acid

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• Extra Info
  
• History
  

Salmon, Seplasium:

‘It is called in Hebrew Nether; in Greek, Nitron; in Latin, Nitrum, Salpetrum, Sal Infernalis; in English Nitre, Salt Peter; vox autem est Aramaea, and therefore it is called in the Chaldean language Nithra.’ ‘It is reported to be brought first from Nitria, a region of Egypt (whence its first name), which is a natural kind, and so dug out of the Earth; but it is brought to us out of the East Indies, and now indeed is made (out of a fat, bitterish, and sulphurous Earth) in most places of the World’. ‘The best is the reddish, or white, Light and Spongy; but some for medicinal uses, commonly chose the Lump Salt Peter, whence seems finer to the Eye, but is truly not so good and pure as the other’. ‘It brings forth tumors that stick in the Belly, and eases the pain thereof; dissolved in Hydromel, and drunk with Cumin seed, it discusses Inflammations and expels Wind. It resists Putrefaction, quenches Thirst, incides Tartarous Humors, resolves coagulated Blood, and eases Pain.’ ‘Dissolved in and Liquor (chiefly Water) from 1 scruple to 1.5 drams to a pint of Water, and so given (very well sweetened) in burning putrid Fevers, of any kind whatsoever, as also in the Pleurisy, Peripneumonia, Stone and Gravel in the Reins and Bladder, Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Womb, and Mesareum; and dissolved in Wine well sweetened with Sugar, and drunk, it is said to help the Jaundice‘. ‘Mixed and melted with Saccharum Saturni, and given from 5 to 10 grains in any proper Liquor, it is found good against the Asthma, obstructions of the Lungs, and shortness of Breath’. ‘Being used for sometimes, it removes all Obstructions of the Urine, loosens the Belly, provokes Stools, and expels the tartarous matter which breeds both Stone and Gout; but this it performs much better, if it be mixed with the extract of Rhubarb and Senna or extract of Aloes. For then it opens Obstructions more powerfully of the Mesentery and Spleen, removes Melancholy, and destroys the very essence of all Intermitting Fevers and Scurvy’. ‘Nitre contains in it much of a volatile Sulphur and Mercurial Spirit, sealed up in a saline matter proceeding from Earth and Water; and therefore has a complicate operation and more wonderful Virtues than other ordinary Salts, being one of the most admirable and powerful agents among all natural things’. ‘The factitious [artificial] is thus made: Take Fat, Urinous, Lixivial, and Saline Earth, put it into large cauldrons, with a large quantity of Water, make a strong Lye by long standing and boiling, decant, and strain, or filter; boil or evaporate till a pellicle is formed, and then set it to shoot into Nitrous crystals’. ‘The true signs of the goodness and purity of Sal Nitre, are the length of its crystals or needles, their whiteness and Transparency, and their Hexagonal Figure, which they always take upon them in Crystallizing; the taste also is harsh with a saltine bitterness; and a very sensible coldness; but the true way to try the goodness of it is, to take a dram or two thereof, and lay it upon a live [hot] Charcoal, letting it burn and evaporate into Air; if nothing remain upon the Coal (when the burning is over) it is a true, good, and pure Nitre; and according to the greater or lesser quantity of fixed Salt left upon the Coal, such is the value and goodness thereof’. ‘Pure Nitre resists Putrefaction in the highest and largest sense, and therefore is the greatest of all Antidotes, against the Plague, or Pestilence, and Pestilential Fevers, all which it resists and overcomes from the quickness and subtlety of its parts and incorruptible Sulphur, which immediately insinuates if self into the whole mass of Blood and Humors, even from the center to the circumference; and because of the Penetrability and subtlety of its Spirit, is so strengthens and recreates the Archeus as to make it resist the greatest Pestilential Infection that can be. I used it in the last great Plague in London, Anno 1665, and

not one that I gave it to (who were not fixed with the Tokens [of infection]) died; and such who before hand constantly used it as a preventative, never had the sickness at all, which are experiments worth the observing’. ‘And as in the Plague, when the humors and juices of the Body tend to purefaction, they first become slimy and mucilaginous, from whence arises Obstructions, with a Stagnation and Congelation of Blood; so in taking of the Medicine, that tartarous Slime, through begun, is dissolved and carried off, the Obstructions are removed, the first Principles or putrefaction destroyed, and the congealation and stagnation of the Blood removed, whereby the Flamula Cordis is excited, the Spirits invigorated, the Juices and Humors made thin and fluid, and the Poisonous Arsenical Acid, causing the said congealation, perfectly annihilated, from the Antipathy and mighty force of its Spirit’. ‘And from this reason it is profitably given in the Pleurisy, and all hot, sharp, biting and putrid Fevers; and is very commendable against Gonorrheas, and Scalding of the Urine; in Gargles, against Inflammations of the Throat and Quinsie [Tonsillitis]; and the constant taking of it for some time, destroys the very root and essence of the matter causing the Gout, Sciatica, Stone, Gravel, and other diseases proceeding from a Tartarous matter’. ‘If Nitre is long boiled in water over a great Fire, its volatile part will fly away; and at last therefore will remain nothing but a common Salt, or Salt like to Sal Gem; which demonstrates that Nitre is only a Sal Gem, filled with Volatile Salts’. ‘Nitre is accounted among the number of Acid Salts, being a volatile joined with a fixed; and by reason of its acidity it cools much the inflamed Blood and Humors, and by an intimate mixtion with them, causes the Crudities or morbisick matter to precipitate, and to be carried off by Urine, and sometimes both by Urine and Stool too’. ‘To purify Nitre, viz. to take away from it its fixed or common Salt, and Earthy parts: Nitre 10 lbs., dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of fair water, let it settle, and filtrate; then evaporate in a Glass or glazed Earthen Vessel, to the diminution of half, or till a pellicle or thin skin appears upon it; then remove the Vessel from the fire, and set it in a cellar to be cool and quiet, and in 24 hours the Crystals will shoot, which separate from the Liquor; this is the only pure Nitre‘. ‘Outwardly, it is used in intermitting Fevers, before the coming of the fit, being applied to the Wrists and Pulses, strewed upon a Fig, or an Orange slit in halves. It is mixed in Plasters which draw, and discuss, and cleanse; and so is profitable against the Leprosy. Dissolved in Water or Wine, it cures Inflammations, running Ears, Noise of the same, &c. being dropped in. Mixed with Hogs lard, it is good against the bitings of Dogs, or other venomous Bites. Applied with Figs, it helps the Dropsy; the impalpable Powder mixed with Honey clears the Eyes, and is good to remove Clouds and Films, and helps their Inflammations. In Cerots, it is good against Luxations; dissolved in Water or Vinegar, it is good against Inflammations of any part, chiefly of the Jaws, and used in a Gargarism, it helps the Quinsey. Applied with the white of an Egg and Bole [Armenian Earth], or Terra Sigillata [Sealed Earth], it is good against Burnings, or any pain proceeding from a Hot cause: mixed with Turpentine, and applied Plasterwise, it ripens and opens Felons, and cures Ulcers; held in the Mouth it immediately helps the Toothache. If burnt and used in a Dentrifice, it cleanses and whitens the Teeth. Dissolved with Alum in water, and used hot, it is good against the Itch, and the stink of the Arm-holes; as also Morphew, Scurf, Leprosy, Tettars, Ringworms, &c. It is a most admirable thing also against the Gout, and all Arthritic pains, being given inwardly to dissolve the Cause, and outwardly applied to give present ease’. ‘For all the Purposes aforesaid, it may be given inwardly being made into a Syrup with Canary, or other Wine; and outwardly used in a warm Bath, in Waters, wherein the Sick may sit up to the neck in it, half a pound or less being dissolved in every Gallon of Water’.