Ammonium chloride is a white, crystalline solid with a number of uses. Industrially, the substance is utilized in soldering and textile printing and as a component in the manufacturing of dry cell batteries. It is used medically, however, as an expectorant, a cough remedy and a dietary supplement. It occurs naturally in most volcanic regions, and it can be produced synthetically in an efficient manner.

The primary use of ammonium chloride in the medical field is as an expectorant. An expectorant is a drug that stimulates, depresses or modifies the secretion from the bronchial or laryngeal mucus membranes and promotes its expulsion. This simply means that expectorants are used to stimulate the production of phlegm and ultimately cause the phlegm to be coughed up.

A common ingredient in many cough medications, ammonium chloride is considered a safe, effective treatment and remedy for coughs. Symptoms of an overdose of ammonium chloride include nausea, vomiting, thirst, headache, hyperventilation and progressive drowsiness. If a large overdose of ammonium chloride has been taken, a physician should be consulted immediately.

Another medical use of ammonium chloride is as a dietary supplement. It is used to help maintain proper pH levels and correct any situation where the blood contains too much alkaline or too much chloride. It also is used to support the bodily mechanisms involved in the retention of nitrogen and the regulation of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid.

Ammonium chloride used to be known by its historical name, sal ammoniac. The manufacturing of sal ammoniac, the earliest known salt of ammonia, began in Egypt and Europe in about the 13th century. The term “sal ammoniac” as a reference to ammonium chloride fell out of common use during the 20th century.

The natural materialization of ammonium chloride occurs around the vents of active volcanoes. Crystal particles are produced during the chemical reaction between the volcanic, hydrochloric acid gas and the nitrogen-rich vegetation found in the soil and sediment around the volcano. Mount Vesuvius in Italy is one of the most notable volcanic locations where ammonium chloride is formed naturally.

Ammonium chloride also can made synthetically by bubbling ammonia gas into water. This will form ammonium hydroxide. Then, the ammonium hydroxide is combined with hydrochloric acid, which in turn produces ammonium chloride.