Health Benefits Of Alum : 27 Reasons To Try For

Alum is an amazing ingredient with an array of uses and health benefits. It is used since ancient times for a variety of reasons.

The most common use of Alum is water purification. Further, it is also useful in treating canker sores, healing cracked heels, tightens skin, cures wounds, useful in muscle cramps, urinary problem and many more.

However, before using Alum you should know the correct way of using it so as avoid any kind of adverse effects.

Here are some health benefits of Alum.

Health Benefits Of Alum

1. For Canker Sores

Alum treats canker sores by acting as a moisture squeezing agent. When you use alum for canker sore it removes all the moisture from the ulcer. With no moisture content, the chances of it to heal increases.

For canker sores, grind a small piece of alum and then press a pinch of it over the canker sore. It stings for a while, but the next day you will feel relieved.

Moreover, you can also prepare an Alum rinse for faster relief. To make the rinse, grind the alum. Boil water in a pan along with little salt, once the salt dissolves remove from the heat and stir in the alum powder. Then, strain and use it as a mouth rinse at least 2 to 3 times a day.

Salt is also very effective in treating canker sores, and this mouth rinse can be safely used by both young and old. If you use raw alum powder, make sure not to swallow it while applying and use only a tiny bit.

2. Alum For Eye Abscess

Alum is wonderful for treating eye abscess.¹ It works by removing the pus and also it gives your eye a cooling and soothing effect.

First, rub alum on a sandalwood stone along with little water. Rub it nicely to get a paste.This paste is very effective, and it stings initially when applied.But the boil breaks on the same day of use, giving an instant relief from eye abscess

3. Cracked Heels

Alum powder is beneficial in treating cracked heels. It works by removing the dead skin cells from the skin.For this, heat alum in a small empty pan. When we heat alum, it liquefies and foams.

Once all the water evaporates, let it cool.Once it cools down, grind it and mix with coconut oil and apply on the heels. Carry this out for few days for good results. Grind the mixture smoothly; else it will be difficult to apply it.

4. For Shaving

Alum has been used for shaving treatment for centuries. It works to stop any bleeding from minor cuts after shaving.To use, after shaving, rub a piece of alum block over the wet face for few seconds. You may wash it off or leave it on the skin as it is.For the first time, you might not like it. But if you continue to use it, you will find improvement in your skin tone.

5. For Water Purification

Alum is used for water purification for ages. It works by reacting with the bicarbonate alkalinities present in raw water. It forms a gelatinous precipitate after the reaction. Further, this precipitate attracts other fine particles and suspended material in raw water, and settles down at the bottom of the container.

To purify muddy water, add about 1 gm of alum powder for every liter of muddy water. You can even add alum to water tanks. ² You will find the muddy particles settling down, leaving the clear water.

6. Alum As A Deodorant

Alum is wonderful as a deodorant due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.To make the deodorant, powder alum along with little myrrh and use it as a dusting powder. Or you could simply wet an alum block and use it. It is advised to use it every alternate day instead of every day.

7. For Hair Removal

Alum can be used efficiently for body hair removal.Make a mixture of alum powder and water. You can even use rosewater for better results. The solution can be applied all over the body. Regular application to alum retards the hair growth over time.

8. For Wrinkles

Alum tends to tighten the skin and can be used for wrinkles. Take a piece of alum and wet it in water. Rub it on your damp face. Wash your face with water and apply moisturizer.

9. For Pimples

Alum has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.³ It works for pimples and acne by killing of the bacterias and reducing the swelling associated with pimples.

Make a face pack of 2 egg whites, 1/2 a teaspoon powdered alum and 1 tablespoon fuller’s earth. Apply it all over your face and wash it once it dries. Do it daily for maximum results.

10. For Lice Treatment

Alum can be used to get rid of hair lice as it has anti-bacterial properties to kill these tiny insects.To make the alum lice treatment powder, mix powdered alum in water along with little tea tree oil. Applying this mixture on the scalp for some time and then rinse it off. Do it twice a week for good results.

11. Alum Usees For Teeth

Alum can be used for preventing gum diseases.Grind alum with Reetha (Sapindus Mukorossi) pip. Apply the mixture on the teeth and gums to get quick relief.

12. For Piles

Alum has astringent properties. So, its application on the hemorrhoids (results of piles) stops rectal bleeding and shrink hemorrhoids and thus give a permanent cure aginst piles.⁴

For this, mix a pinch of powder alum in lukewarm water. Prefer preparing this mixture in a big tub so that its easy for you to soak your genitals inside it. Sit in the mixture for a few minutes. This is a temporary quick method to provide relief.

13. For Tonsillitis

To treat tonsillitis, there are two methods. The first one is simple. You need to roast a piece of alum and mix it in lukewarm milk. Drink this milk before bedtime for quick relief.

The second mixture consists of alum, turmeric, and warm water. You need to mix a tablespoon of turmeric and a teaspoon of alum to a cup of warm water. Gargle with this mixture twice a day for desired results/

14. For Cold, Cough, And Fever

Alum has anti-inflammatory properties. So, it works on cold and cough by reducing the inflammation in the lungs and thereby by reducing cough

Here, you need a tablespoon of roasted alum. Grind the alum with six tablespoons of sugar. Store it in a container. Take a quarter teaspoon of the ground mixture and mix it with lukewarm milk.  have it before your bedtime.

15. For Wounds

For external wounds, alum provides antiseptic property. It soothes prickling and puffiness like bee stings. It also helps to prevent blood loss. Directly apply some alum on the affected area.

For internal wounds, you can have a mix of turmeric and alum in milk. Otherwise, you may drink a mixture of 1 gram of alum and ten tablespoons of curd in a cup of water.

16. Alum For Skin Lightening And Skin Whitening

Alum tighten up the skin, tightens the pores, and remove dead skin cells which further gives a glowing lighter skin.

For this, add alum to boiling water. Cool the water. Then, use it as a face wash. Wahs your face twice a day with this for immediate results/

17. For Jaundice

This one is an Ayurvedic remedy used since ancient times.Grind 5 grams of alum. Then, divide it into ten equal portion or doses. Mix one dose in a cup of warm milk. Drink this three times a day. It treats jaundice within a week.

18. For Leprosy, Eczema etc

Alum works wonderfully against skin diseases like leprosy and eczema. It is because it has anti-bacterial properties that kill the microorganisms causing the issue.

For this, burn about 200grams of alum. Collect the ash. Make a paste of 2 grams of the alum ash with honey and some extracts of carrot. Apply this on the affected area regularly for permanent relief.

19. For Muscle Cramps

Alum has blood thinning property. When it mixes with the antiseptic property of turmeric, it can ease muscle cramps as well as inflammations.

20. For Athlete’s Foot

Alum has anti-inflammatory properties so it works on athlete’s foot by reducing the pain and inflammation associated with it.Boil water with alum in it. Soak your feet in the water till the water is warm. You should soak it for at least 20 minutes. Do this daily and avoid synthetic fibers.

21. For Skin Tightening

Alum is an astringent and hence can contract any part of the body it contacts. Washing the face with alum mixed water tones it.

But, these days it is used to tighten loose vagina. Dissolve alum in hot water, let it cool. Use it to wash. Its effect last for 2-3 hours. Or else you can soak a tampon in the water and place it in the vagina. Remove after a few minutes.

Don’t keep it in for long. Also, never use direct alum. You shouldn’t repeat the process without breaks. It is because it can dry and scar the inner tissues.

22. For Diarrhoea And Dysentery

Alum had drying property. The alum root helps in dealing with diarrhea and dysentery.Take alum root to boil it in a glass of water. Drink the decoction two times a day for relief.

23. For Blackheads

Alum works for blackheads by cleaning the pores from the inside and eventually removing the blackheads and whiteheads.Combine a pinch of alum powder with water or rose water. Apply it around the area of the blackheads. Do not rub it. Daily use may result in the removal of blackheads.

24. For Nosebleeds

Alum has astringent property. This helps in stopping nosebleeds. Add a pinch of alum powder in half a teaspoon of lukewarm ghee. Mix it well. Put a drop of the mixture in the nostrils to stop the bleed.

25. For Ears

Sometimes a condition known as Purulent Otorrhea can result in pus in the ear. In such a situation, it may also lead to hearing impairment.

Apply alum powder on the interface, and it can do wonders. It can heal the ear.

26. For Throat Hoarseness

Alum works for throat hoarseness by clearing the nasal passage and the voice passage of any inflammation or any bacterias.Mix equal quantity of alum, baking soda, and salt. Grind them together. Take one teaspoon of the mixture in lukewarm water and gargle with it.

27. For Itches

Alum works for itches as it has a cooling effect.For itches, mix two teaspoons of alum with two tablespoons of ground alum. Make it into a paste. Apply the paste in the area of the irritation.

Side Effects Of Using Alum

Below are some of the side effects of alum. However, these side effects are rare and uncommon.

• Potassium alum may be a weak irritant to the skin.
• A higher dose of alum use affects the human semen and fructose level in men.
• Prolonged use in higher amount might cause cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc.
• Astringents, for example, potassium alum can dry your skin excessively, making the skin peel and look dry and flaky. If you have delicate skin, astringents can bring about rashes, redness, consuming and disturbance.

Final Talk

Alum is an amazing ingredient with lots of health fortifying properties.However, you have to be careful with its amount and form. Make sure you never use it in excess as it might lead to adverse effects. Moreover, if you face any side effects with its use immediately discontinue the use and consult a doctor if requires.