The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Louise (Utah) on 12/03/2015:
To Ann of La, Ca--Yes, a teaspoon of cream of tartar equals or contains 5 grams of cream of tartar, not potassium. A teaspoon of flour is also 5 grams of flour. No dangerous information was given. You misunderstood. It wasn't 5 grams of potassium. A teaspoon or 5 grams of cream of tartar contains 495 mg of potassium.
Catherine (Wellington, New Zealand) on 04/13/2010:
Reply to EC: 30 years ago I had a friend (now deceased) who was crippled as a young woman 20 years before with polio. She told me she took a teaspoon of cream of tartar in water every morning on rising and that this kept her "water" flowing in good order. I regret now I didn't clarify exactly what she meant, maybe having partial paralysis (she could manage on crutches) meant her bladder needed better control or to prevent any edema. She did mention that it was a remedy well known among her contemporaries. Hope this helps a bit.
For your minimum daily requirement of potassium take one level teaspoon of CREAM of TARTER - ABOUT 5 GRAMS as compared to 99 milligrams in a tablet. You will have to mix it in your favorite soda to cut the very tart taste. You would have to take 50.5 tablets to obtain the same amount of potassium.EC: Has anyone used cream of tartar medicinally? It's an old time remedy and we're discovering interesting information while researching it right now. Only side effect noted is gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea) if too much consumed in one day.
http://chestofbooks.com/health/materia-medica-drugs/Treatise-Therapeutics-Pharmacology-Materia-Medica-Vol2/IV-Bitartrate-Of-Potassa-Cream-of-Tartar-Crystals-of-Tart.html
