Have you seen that transparent, salt like substance? My son confuses it with Rock Sugar.. Hey Hey this salt and rock sugar like substance is a very useful and medicinal stuff, which is called Alum or Phitkari. There are various types of Alum such as Potassium Alum or Potass, Ammonium, Chrome, Selenate. It comes from a plant based source and is extremely useful for a lot of things.

Sometimes alum is seen in its crystalline form, although it is most often sold as a powder. Potassium alum is a fine white powder that you can find being sold with kitchen spices or pickling ingredients. It is also sold as a large crystal, as a “deodorant rock” for underarm use.

It is one of the most common coagulants used in water treatment, especially for waters with low colour. They are easily soluble in water and have the nature of crystalline. They have an astringent, sweetish and acid taste. They crystalline when heated and when heated continuously they turn to an amorphous  powder. 

Types of Alum

Sodium Alum – It occurs as the mineral “Mendozite”. It is commonly called Soda Alum. It is highly soluble in water and very difficult to purify.  It is used in the manufacturing of baking powder and as an acidulate in food.

Ammonium Alum – It is used for water purification and is a white crystalline double sulphate of aluminium. It is also used in vegetable glues, tanning and dyeing. It is also one of the ingredients used in making natural deodorants.

Potassium Alum – It is chemically the potassium double sulphate of aluminium. Commonly known as Potash Alum, it is used in a similar way like ammonium alum. It is very effective to use this as an aftershave treatment. 

How to Store

One can store the crystalline alum or powdered alum in an air-tight container in a cool, dark and dry place.

Synonyms of Alum

Potassium Aluminum sulphate, Bulk potassium Alum, Sulphate of Alumina and Potash, Aluminous sulphate, Phitikhar, Phitkar, Phitkari, Phatikari, Surashtraja, Kamakshi, Tuvari, Sithi, Angda, Venmali, Phatkiri, Phatkari, Patikaram, Adikharum, Shinacrum, Pattikaramu, Tawas, Trae phitki

Ayurveda and Alum

In Ayurveda, Alum is used in the form of Bhasma named Sphatika bhasma which can be taken orally to manage various diseases. This shiny element has a lot of skin and healthcare benefits to offer us. A lot of us must have seen our grandfathers using an alum block to produce lather for shaving. Well, back then, shaving cream was an expensive bet and alum or phitkari was readily available for the purpose. Not only this was inexpensive but also natural which leaves the skin moisturised after shaving. Its antiseptic properties prevent skin infection in case of a razor cut.

Benefits of Alum

1. Removes foul odour – Do you face the problem of smelly feet even if your socks are new? Well, just put a small block of alum in a bucket full of water. When it dissolves completely, soak your feet in the same for 5-15 minutes and voila! you will be rid of the bad odour. It also removes the bad odour from sweat. Just mix alum water in your bath water and take a bath to remove the unwanted sweaty smell.
2. Treats acne and pimples – For all the girls who have acne or pimple problems, this one is for you. Just mix alum powder with water and make a fine paste. Apply this paste on the affected area and leave for 20 minutes and wash it with water. To get rid if acne, do it on a daily basis. 
3. For Skin Tightening/ Wrinkles – Do you know, using this simple thing can give you a tight shiny skin. Make a paste of phitkari powder with water and apply it on the face. Leave it for half an hour and wash it with water. You can also use rose water and egg white for more amazing result. Or you can take a piece of it (solid), wet it and rub it on your face slowly for some time. Wash your face with rose water and use a moisturiser.              IMPORTANT NOTE: We all have different skins and their sensitivity is also different. Before using any remedy, make sure you check whether your face is accepting it or not, if you feel any kind of irritation or burning, wash your face immediately. In order to check the product, always use paste on a small part of the face and then cover the entire face if your face accepts it.
4. For Oral Health – If you have the problem of yellow teeth, start using alum and you will have white pearl like shiny teeth. Just put a little alum in a glass of water and leave it for a while. When it completely dissolves in water, rinse your mouth with the same. Doing it on a daily basis helps to remove the yellowness from the teeth, bleeding gums, toothache and stench of the mouth.
5. For Dark Underarms – Do you have dark underarms? Using a paste of phitkari with rose water (weekly) on the affected area can bring back your white underarm.
6. Helps in fighting Dandruff Problems and Lice Problems – Phitkari can fight dandruff which is another big problem for the ones suffering from it. Mix a small pinch of phitkari and salt with shampoo and use it to wash your head. You will feel a drastic change in your hair. You can also just wash you hair with alum water. Note : Do not overuse phitkari.
7. For Cough – If you are suffering from asthma or chronic cough problem then alum is very beneficial for you. You mix alum powder in honey and lick it. By doing this, you get relief in cough and your health does not get worse.
8. Relieve from Urine Infection – By just taking bath with alum water, one can get rid of urine infection and get some relief.
9. Treats any infection after injury – This transparent looking substance can work magically for any kinds of wounds, cuts or injuries. Though, one should always consult a Doctor. But in case of an emergency, always keep alum handy. Due to its Raktastambhak (hemostatic) properties, Alum helps to control bleeding and accelerates the healing process. Due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Ropan (healing) properties, Alum helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin.

• Just press the crystal alum on the wound for 5-10 minutes and the bleeding will stop (This I am sharing from my personal experience. Recently, I had a deep cut while using a knife and the bleeding didn’t stop even after applying ice and turmeric. But Alum worked magically and stopped the bleeding. Note- I did go to the doctor for a complete check up and took a tetanus injection)
• You can also Take 1-2 pinch of Alum powder. Mix it with coconut oil. Apply on the affected area to control bleeding and for quick healing.
• Or take 1/4 teaspoon Alum powder. Mix with water and heat it for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool. Wash the wound with this water 2-3 times a day. Repeat daily for quick wound healing.

Recommended Dosage of Alum

Alum Powder – 1-2 pinch of Alum powder or as per your requirement.

Always remember, never consume too much quantity of anything as it might cause side effects.

So do choose wisely the amount to be consumed and always try in a small quantity when applying externally to see if there are any side-effects.

Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu..