Epsom salt, which forms half of the base of aromatic aromatherapy salts, is not a real salt, but a natural compound of magnesium and sulfate heptahydrate. Synthetic cathinone products that are marketed as bath salts should not be confused with products such as Epsom salt that people use while bathing. These bath products do not contain mind-altering ingredients. It means that the aromatic salts are not intended to be used in endurance sports such as long-distance running, marathons, or distance swimming.
Other more traditional aromatic salts must be removed from the container and dissolved in water to work. Respiratory rate is one of the ways doctors judge the severity of a concussion, so applying aromatic salts can skew your assessment and make it difficult to treat it in the short term. Some alternatives to aromatic salts include non-ammonia salts, which contain simple solutions of Epsom salts, sea salt, and preferred essential oils. The reusable containers and the distinctive design of the Native Salts product give it an advantage over other aromatic salts in terms of sustainability and shelf life.
Once opened, the shelf life of aromatic salts can range from 1 to 6 months, depending on how often they are used or opened. Recently, doctors have largely abandoned aromatic salts and have opted for simpler techniques to prevent or reverse fainting. When a person who has fainted contains aromatic salts in their nose, ammonia vapors irritate the inner membranes of the nasal passages. Another unique feature of native salts, besides being natural and aromatic, is the fact that these aromatic salts are reusable.
In the case of a concussion, aromatic salts would also be ineffective, because concussions are caused by brain injury, not lack of oxygen. We have proven the effectiveness of aromatic salts when used to treat and prevent fainting and dizziness. Aromatic salts have beneficial effects, but the user may still experience side effects if the concentration or dose is too high. Since at least the 13th century, ammonia, the active ingredient in aromatic salts, has been a key component of the medical medicine cabinet.
The ingredients in aromatic salts have something to do with the effects they leave on users and on their lifespan.