glauber's salt

Glauber's salt is the common name for sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na₂SO₄·10H₂O), a colorless to white crystalline mineral also known as mirabilite. It acts as an osmotic saline laxative by drawing water into the intestines, softening stool and increasing intestinal volume to stimulate bowel movements. It is used in medicine for short-term relief of constipation and for bowel evacuation prior to procedures. In cases of drug overdose (e.g., paracetamol/acetaminophen), it can help accelerate elimination of drugs from the body[1][4][8][9]. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used topically or orally for its purgative and anti-inflammatory effects[3][6]. Beyond pharmaceuticals, Glauber’s salt has wide industrial uses including textile dyeing (as an auxiliary agent), thermal energy storage due to its high heat capacity during phase change, glass manufacturing, detergents production, wastewater treatment (phosphate removal and heavy metal precipitation), water softening, soil remediation, and environmental applications[5][7].

Brand names

Bombastus Glauber's Salt

Other names

sodium sulfate decahydratemirabiliteNa2SO4·10H2Ománg xiāo