Pharmacology does not stand still. Pharmaceutical companies produce more and more new preparations based on the latest achievements, while old ones are forgotten. So, until recently, women in the Soviet Union who wished to lose weight quickly knew about Glauber’s salt, which was sold in any drugstore for mere pennies. Today a pharmacist will shrug only in response to such a request. As it turned out, the only place where this substance can now be bought is a veterinary pharmacy. And all because in the human pharmacy market it has been successfully replaced by magnesium sulfate. However, there is still a difference between these laxatives.
## Brief information
[Glauber’s salt photo]Full chemical name: sodium sulfate decahydrate.
Other names:
Glauber’s salt
Siberian salt
mirabilite
sodium sulfate
gujir
Chemical formula: Na2SO4 10H2O.
Release form: powder, coarse crystalline, white.
Characteristics:
large transparent crystals
crystal shape – geometric, prism
taste – bitter-salty
smell – absent
melts quickly in the mouth, dissolves instantly in water
non-flammable
in air during prolonged contact weathers, loses weight when heated
after complete weathering transforms into simple sodium sulfate
Main purpose: laxative.
Route of administration: orally, after dissolving in water.
Pharmacokinetics: not absorbed in the intestine.
Sources:
extracted as a mineral in Canada, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Western Siberia
sea water
mineral water from Karlovy Vary and Marienbad resorts (Czech Republic)
efflorescence and crusts on rock salt and gypsum deposits
Historical reference: for the first time it was discovered in the winter of 1626 by German alchemist, chemist, pharmacist, physician Johann Rudolf Glauber in the composition of mineral water.
[Quote] Origin of the name. Glauber called the substance he discovered mirabilite, since “mirabile” in Latin means wonderful. This salt cured him of typhoid, when he was in serious condition.[/Quote]
## Main question
In medicine and veterinary science Glauber’s salt is used as an effective laxative drug with fast action. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is so popular for weight loss. The problem is that not long ago it was excluded from the register of medicines for people and remained only as a veterinary drug.
Therefore, many people who wish to lose weight with mirabilite are concerned about the main question: can a person drink a solution of the powder sold in veterinary pharmacies and pet stores?
Many sources claim that Glauber’s salt, which Soviet doctors prescribed to their patients as a laxative, is no different from the one now used in veterinary medicine. Yes, on the one hand it is true – both drugs are available in the form of pure powder, without any impurities. But, on the other hand, it is necessary to understand that the requirements for medications intended for treatment of humans and animals are different.
[Glauber’s salt photo]Glauber’s salt
Today, no doctor will officially prescribe this drug for treatment of his patient. Although you can find a huge number of positive reviews about weight loss with its help. Therefore, when deciding on such a method of weight loss, it is necessary to understand that all responsibility for the consequences will have to be taken on oneself. Are you ready to take a drug that has the following inscriptions on the package: “for veterinary use”, “for animals”, “veterinary medicine”?
For weight loss, you can use a number of other laxatives, which are functional analogs, but are approved by official medicine, e.g. magnesium sulfate. Yes, mirabilite works faster, but it also irritates the intestinal wall more aggressively and causes much more side effects.
Moreover, do not order bright jars with the inscription “Glauber’s salt for people” or “Glauber’s salt for weight loss”, etc. from shady online resources. This is a fraud.
## Action
Health benefits:
relieves constipation
improves digestion
normalizes metabolism
stimulates production of bile
alleviates symptoms of poisoning
neutralizes toxic substances entering the digestive tract with food, prevents their absorption into the bloodstream
The main indications for use of Glauber’s salt in Soviet medicine were constipation and severe forms of poisoning.
Effect on weight loss:
activates intestinal peristalsis, providing a laxative effect
thereby, clears the digestive tract from stagnant feces
binds with toxic substances in the intestines and removes them from the body
improves lymph drainage
removes excess fluid from the body, being a diuretic
