The Benefits of Alum for the Body

The Benefits of Alum for the Body

The medicinal and healing potential of alum.

Alum, or potassium alum, is a naturally

occurring mineral with an abundance of applications in health and wellness. Alum takes the form of crystals or powder form and has been cherished throughout the ages for its antiseptic, astringent, and antibacterial qualities. Let's look into a few of the prominent benefits of alum, and its contributions to body well-being.

They help in oral health and fresh breath

One of the most popular applications of alum is in oral care. Thanks to the antibacterial capabilities of alum, it can help reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth; it is quite effective against bad breath and oral hygiene. Gargling with a mixture of alum and water diminishes bad breath and brings a soothing action to the ulcers in the mouth. Also, because of its capacity to keep gums healthy and its antibacterial activity against cavity-causing bacteria, alum is sometimes included in mouthwashes and some kinds of toothpaste.

Wounds and cuts healing

Because of its astringent properties, alum is sometimes used to treat small cuts and wounds. When applied to the wounds, alum acts as a coagulant, halting bleeding almost immediately. Due to its antibacterial effect, alum also prevents the possible infection of cuts or abrasions to allow the wound to heal better. A small crystal of alum may be rubbed on clean wounds to speed up their healing.

Acts in skin tightening and acne treatment

Alum is getting attention these days as a natural skin-tightening agent. The astringent property works very well for tightening and toning the skin, which is why it is widely used in many face masks. Diluted alcohol solution can be applied to the skin to control acne. Alum inhibits the action of bacteria that cause acne while absorbing excess oil--hence, recommended for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin. Just a bit of caution: don't go overboard with it, for alum can be somewhat abrasive. 

Natural deodorizing

Being a natural deodorizing agent, alum is fast becoming popular to replace commercial deodorants. It acts by killing odor-causing bacteria from the skin, especially in underarms. When the crystal or dilute alum is smeared over the skin, body odor is reduced without blocking the pores, which is one side effect of several commercial deodorants. It is non-hypoallergenic and devoid of artificial fragrance, thereby making it safe for sensitive skin.

Shaving-soothing Irritation

Alum is largely used in post-shaving lotions to soothe and preserve the skin. Its antiseptic property does not permit the irritation, nicks, and cuts to get infected. Rubbing of alum on the skin after shaving has a calming effect on redness or swelling and will seal small cuts. Traditional barbering still carries this practice with them and is advised for men suffering from irritation after shaving.

Water purification

Beyond its uses in cosmetics and personal care, alum plays a very important role in the purification of water. The addition of alum powder to water leads to the coagulation of suspended impurities or jelly-on water, enabling the filtering or removal of such impurities. This process called flocculation is of great importance in rural areas for the population with limited access to clean water. Drinking alum-treated water can significantly decrease the risks of diseases spread through water and hence will bring about marvelous health benefits, especially in communities with limited sewage systems.

Reducing bodily inflammation and muscle pain

Alum is used in certain traditional medicine systems for the treatment of muscle pain and bodily inflammation. With a compress or in a bath, alum may soothe sore muscles and reduce swelling. While scientific studies on this are probably not that abundant, this view exists: some believe that the anti-inflammatory attributes of alum provide very mild-reduced pain of sore muscle and satisfy inflamed areas. 

Some Precautions While Using Alum

• Though there are many advantages of alum, one has to be fairly cautious while using it.

• It generally causes dryness and irritation of the skin if applied excessively, particularly on sensitive areas.

• When used in oral care, alum should be mixed in water; in large quantities, alum could be toxic to swallow. 

• Its application needs to be pre-determined by way of a patch test for any irritation before being applied to skin or open wounds.

Conclusion

Alum provides several health benefits, from oral hygiene to skin care and wound healing. Its many natural properties make it an emerging shade to cover an ensemble of home remedies. However, to prevent potential irritation or toxicity, alum should be used with care fairly. If used carefully, it may touch a chord in what constitutes good personal care consistent with healthier skin oral health, and general wellness.