What is sodium sulfate decahydrate?

Sodium sulfate decahydrate is a highly chemically stable derivative of sodium chloride, commonly known as Glauber's salt. It is typically found in its natural form in mirabilite, which is a mineral found in lake beds.

Sodium sulfate decahydrate is a solid, taking form as colorless crystals or granules. It may be found naturally or produced industrially. Treating sodium chloride with sulfuric acid results in the creation of sodium sulfate decahydrate as well as through causing a reaction between magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride. The chemist Johann Rudolf Glauber discovered the substance and named it "sal mirabilis," which means "miraculous salt," in reference to its application in medicine.