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Cecil replies: The official word is that potassium nitrate (KNO3), more commonly employed as an ingredient in gunpowder, has no therapeutic value as an anaphrodisiac, contrary to legend. Cecil of course believes this. Still, when you look at what the stuff does do, you can see where the idea got started. Saltpeter can cause relaxation of involuntary muscle fiber (for which reason it's used to treat asthma) and it's occasionally prescribed to lower body temperature in cases of fever.
Saltpeter is a common chemical, used for many products and science projects. Here's a look at what exactly saltpeter is. Answer: Saltpeter is the natural mineral source of the chemical potassium nitrate, KNO 3. Depending where you live, it may be spelled 'saltpetre' rather than 'saltpeter'.Before systematic naming of chemicals, saltpeter was called nitrate of potash. It has also been called 'Chinese salt' or 'Chinese snow'.Pure saltpeter or potassium nitrate is a white crystalline solid, usually encountered as a powder. Most potassium nitrate is produced using chemical reaction of nitric acid and potassium salts, but bat guano was an important historical natural source.nswer: Saltpeter is the natural mineral source of the chemical potassium nitrate, KNO 3. Depending where you live, it may be spelled 'saltpetre' rather than 'saltpeter'. Before systematic naming of chemicals, saltpeter was called nitrate of potash.