Cream of Tartar (Potassium Hydrogen Tartrate) – Medicinal Uses, Substitute, Side Effects

Cream of tartar (chemical name potassium hydrogen tartrate) is an acidic natural by-product of winemaking. It is a white, odorless powder.

During the wine making process, a layer of residue forms at the bottom of the barrel. However, it can also form in wine bottles too.

This residue is the cream of tartar in its natural form. After, it is filtered and purified to get the white powder which we see in stores.

Uses

In baking, it is used to prevent the formation of sugar crystals and stabilize egg whites.

In addition, potassium hydrogen tartrate is used to give baked goods and sugary desserts more substance and texture.

Furthermore, it is used to keep away mites and ants from your immediate surroundings as well as it is useful in the kitchen (especially as a cleaning agent).

Medicinal Uses Of Cream Of Tartar

Skin Health

Our skin is a reflection of our internal health. Glowing, beautiful skin shows hydration, proper care, and a healthy diet.

Currently, acne affects at least 85 percent of the population at some time during their lives.

In its various forms of severity, this skin disorder (usually associated with the consumption of dairy and saturated animal fats) is so common that it is sometimes considered a normal process of development.

This compound has strong acidic properties which make it a good cleaning product for your skin and a great acne-fighting agent.

Lowers High Blood Pressure

It has a high content of potassium (about 495 mg per teaspoon), an essential mineral for cardiovascular health.

High blood pressure (better known as hypertension, which usually has no symptoms) is a common condition in which the blood against your artery walls is high enough to eventually cause life-threatening problems, like heart disease.

In addition, high blood pressure can cause kidney disease and is strongly associated with some forms of dementia.

Home Remedy For Edema

Many people use it as a natural remedy for edema.

This condition occurs when part of the body becomes swollen (usually the feet, legs, and/or hands) because fluid gathers in the tissue.

Edema can appear suddenly, nevertheless, it frequently develops subtly – the sufferer may first gain weight, or wake up with puffy eyes.

Infections, prescription medication, pregnancy, and many other medical conditions can cause this problem.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Treatment

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common clinical bacterial infections in women and are accounting for approximately 25% of all infections. A urinary tract infection can affect the ureter, kidneys, urethra, or bladder.

A lower UTI is the most common and it involves the urethra and bladder.

This substance is a traditional treatment for urinary tract infections. One reason for its effectiveness may be due to the fact that it can change the pH of the urine.

Prevents The Formation Of Gallstones

Gallstones are solid “stones” that are produced from concretions within the gallbladder.

Approximately 1 in 10 people in the United State have gallstones, but the vast majority experience no symptoms and need no medical treatment.

Around 10-15 percent of individuals with this condition have simultaneous gallbladder and common bile duct stones, whereas intrahepatic stones occur less frequently.

Using this compound may prevent the formation of gallstones.

Nicotine Withdrawal

According to the CDC, cigarette smoking tobacco is the second cause of the preventable disease (after heart disease) and death in the US, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths per year.

Smoking-related illness in the US costs nearly $170 billion in direct medical care for adults and $156 billion in lost productivity, with a total cost of more than $300 billion every year.

You can add a ½ tsp of this substance to a glass of orange juice and it helps you quit smoking easier. Some say it causes a dislike in the taste of cigarettes, too.

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Substitute Of Potassium Hydrogen Tartrate

The two of the closest substitutes would be lemon juice and vinegar.

Side Effects Of Cream Of Tartar

Individuals taking prescription medicines that can increase serum potassium, such as – angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics as well as sufferers who have mild to moderate renal insufficiency are commonly told to avoid ingesting potassium supplements and dietary salt substitutes to prevent hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia is a medical problem in which you have too much potassium in your blood.

The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).

Having a blood potassium level higher than 7.0 mmol/L can be dangerous. For example, having too much potassium in your blood can lead to dangerous changes in heart rhythm.

Image source – Shutterstock

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References

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Acne/acne_ff.asp
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/