To this day, cream of tartar, which is actually a powder, is known mainly to bakeries, as it's used to stabilize whipped cream and desserts. Cream of tartar is a byproduct of wine production, and if you have never heard of it you should know that it can help you treat a variety of health problems from smoking cessation through to lowering blood pressure and healing arthritis, and it can do wonders for cleaning items around the house. After reading the following information, ask yourself how you never made use of this wonderful powder before!
If you have ever encountered the word "tartar" it may have been in regards to tartar sauce. But cream of tartar is a lesser-known byproduct of the wine industry created during fermentation of grape juice in barrels. Tartaric acid crystallizes as a sediment at the bottom of the barrel during the fermentation of the grapes but is not alcoholic. The residue is purified and turned into a white powder known as a cream of tartar.
Professional bakers use cream of tartar to stabilize egg whites, creams and ice cream, and to maintain the white color of whipped cream. Even the baking powder we all know is made up of cream of tartar and baking soda. Cream of tartar is usually labeled with the code E336i, on the list of ingredients. Cream of tartar (which comes as a powder) can be found in spice shops, nature stores, and specialty bakery stores, and is sometimes also available in large retail chains.
The medicinal properties of this unique powder stem from the large amount of potassium and magnesium hidden inside of it. The combination of these minerals and the natural acidity of the cream of tartar helps to balance deficiencies of them, leading to a significant improvement in the variety of disease symptoms associated with such deficits. Potassium and magnesium are important minerals for the functioning of many systems: enzyme activity, insulin secretion system, metabolism, regulation of blood pressure and more, and cream of tartar helps to balance their levels.
Health benefits of cream of tartar:
Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe pain in the wrists and legs and may even distort them. In a study of people with the disease, researchers found that subjects were deficient in magnesium essential for maintaining cartilage around the joints. Cream of tartar can balance and regulate magnesium deficiency because it is abundant in the mineral and can significantly alleviate the pain associated with arthritis. This is more important for women since they are 2-3 times more likely to have the disease than men. The most effective way to treat arthritis with cream of tartar is by soaking in a bath with 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar and 3 tablespoons of super beneficial English salt (Epsom salt) for 30-40 minutes, once a day.
People with frequent heartburn are often forced to take antacids after every meal and lying down to prevent their stomach juices from reaching the esophagus. Because cream of tartar balances the pH of our body, it can serve as a cheap natural home remedy to get rid of heartburn. To prepare a solution to treat heartburn, mix ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar and ½ teaspoon of baking powder in a glass of water. Take a ½ teaspoon of the solution the second the first signs of heartburn occur to prevent deterioration of the condition.
Many people who have been smoking for years struggle with addiction and dependence on nicotine, which reduces the chances of successful detoxification. Cream of tartar has a wonderful ability to remove the addictive nicotine from the bloodstream, resulting in a reduced desire to smoke, and there are even smokers who testify that cream of tartar caused them to dislike cigarettes. In order to make a nicotine detox drink, dilute a teaspoon of cream of tartar in a glass of fresh orange juice and drink before bedtime. Vitamin C, which is found in orange juice, works with the potassium in the tartar to remove the toxins in the body, including nicotine and strengthens the immune system that has been damaged as a result of smoking.
Cream of tartar has the ability to cleanse toxins and pollutants from our bodies, which makes it effective in treating acne caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands. To treat acne, do not apply the powder directly to your face, rather drink a solution of a teaspoon of cream of tartar mixed with a glass of water or fresh orange juice. Your skin will look much better and the number of breakouts you have will go down within a month.
The use of cream of tartar as a remedy for urinary tract infections is ancient and known in various parts of the world. Cream of tartar changes the pH of our urine in a way that doesn’t allow the inflammation causing bacteria to multiply. The recipe for a cream tartar drink to treat this problem consists of ½ a cup of water, a teaspoon of cream of tartar and a few drops of lemon juice. This drink can be drunk several times a month to ease the problem.
Cream of tartar is a diuretic, which means that it increases the amount of water coming out of our bodies through the kidneys. People who suffer from an edema resulting from fluid accumulated in the tissues may find using cream of tartar very beneficial in removing excess fluids and toxins from their bodies. Another advantage cream of tartar has in removing the waste products from our bodies is the properties of its dendrites, and various studies have even discovered the effectiveness of cream of tartar in treating constipation. It is important to note that, like other supplements and laxatives, it is recommended to avoid prolonged use of cream of tartar without consulting your doctor to avoid the risk of bowel injury, dehydration, and acid imbalance.
Gallstones are cholesterol crystals formed in the gallbladder when the acid balance in this organ is disturbed. Gallstones cause great pain, and when the condition is severe, there is even a need for surgical intervention. The high-fat, cholesterol-rich western diet increases the risk of developing gallstones, and in order to prevent medical intervention, it is recommended to use a cream of tartar solution that will increase the flow rate of the bile fluid and prevent the formation of stones in the organ. To prepare this anti- gallstone solution, mix 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, a ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar in a quarter cup of warm water. Drink the solution every morning for 5 days to cleanse your body of toxins and prevent stones from ever occurring.
Infections develop in our bodies because of bacteria that enter it and multiply uncontrollably. The way the body reacts to infections is by becoming inflamed, hot, swollen, along with other symptoms, and can occur anywhere in our bodies. In order for bacteria to survive and multiply, they need an environment with a specific acidity, and since cream of tartar balances our body's pH level and makes it more basic, it’ll do the work for us and fight the infection efficiently. If you develop a bacterial infection, drink a solution of ½ a teaspoon of cream of tartar with ½ a cup warm water to feel relief from pain and other symptoms.
Many people are unaware that they lack potassium, although this is a common phenomenon. Lack of potassium mineral in our bodies increases the chances of developing high blood pressure, which is considered to increase the chances of heart attack and stroke. If you have high blood pressure, see your family doctor and ask to check your body’s potassium levels. If you find a deficiency of this mineral, use cream of tartar to restore potassium levels to normal and reduce the risk of disease development. In 100 grams of cream of tartar, there are 16.5 milligrams of potassium, so you need only a small amount of it to supplement your body’s deficiency. To prevent high blood pressure, drink 1 teaspoon cream of tartar mixed with a glass of water before bedtime
Please Note!
Cream of tartar contains sodium and potassium - minerals essential for the functioning of our body systems in small amounts, but their excessive consumption can be dangerous and lead to undesirable side effects. To avoid physical problems that occur due to an excess of these minerals, you should consult your doctor and avoid prolonged consumption of cream of tartar.
You can clean stains from a variety of clothes by using wonderful cream of tartar. To do this, add a little 3% hydrogen peroxide to a small dish with cream of tartar until you get a paste and apply it to the stain that you want to remove. Leave the paste on the stain for 5-10 minutes then wash in the washing machine. The paste is good for all stains, even those that you’re not too sure where they came from. Note that it’s best to check that the paste won’t damage the garment fabric first by doing a patch test.
In order to restore your bathroom’s gleam, mix an equal amount of cream of tartar with baking soda, add a few drops of lemon juice, and you’ll have an awesome homemade bathroom cleaner. The solution is effective against traces of limescale that stick to baths, sinks, and toilets. Apply the solution to the dirty areas of your bathroom, wait about 30 minutes, rinse with water and wipe with a dry cloth.
Stainless steel and aluminum appliances sometimes accumulate water stains and dirt that distort their appearance. To remove these stains, mix cream of tartar with a little water to create a thick mixture and use it to clean the stainless steel in your home. The paste can be used to clean jewelry, cutlery and large kitchen appliances such as sinks and ovens. Additionally, you can mix cream of tartar with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to make a cutlery polish and a rust remover.
To remove scratches from plates and cups, mix cream of tartar with a little water to form a paste, and apply it to the damaged areas with a cloth. After a slight wipe and a short wait, you’ll see a significant improvement in the condition of your kitchenware.
In addition to all its other qualities, cream of tartar’s make up repels insects in general, and ants in particular. To keep ants out of your house, all you have to do is sprinkle a little tartar powder near where they come in from.
Cooked vegetables tend to lose their natural color during cooking and steaming. However, sprinkling a minimal amount of cream of tartar on vegetables before cooking them will preserve their color and leave them looking fresh and tasty.
image source: Lee Health
