Alum, whose scientific name is “potassium alum”, is actually a kind of salt. It is available in chunks or in powdered form. If you cannot find powdered alum, you can simply pulverize chunks of it with the help of a mortar and pestle.
Traditionally, alum is used for folk healing and even magic. Having alum in your home means you have easy access to something that offers a lot of beauty uses. Here are some of the benefits offered by alum:
It Speeds Up the Drying of Pimples and Acne
Because it’s a kind of salt, alum has the ability to dry out pimples and acne. You can come up with a blemish-fighting paste by adding a few drops of water to a little alum powder. Allow the paste to stay on your pimples or acne for several minutes. Afterwards, thoroughly wash your face with water and pat dry.
It Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Alum is known to have skin-tightening properties. It’s exactly for this reason why you may employ it as an alternative to those highly expensive anti-aging creams and gels. What you need to do is combine equal amounts of powdered alum and raw honey, and apply on your face. Wash off the anti-aging paste with water after 15 minutes.
It Lessens the Appearance of Dark Circles
Do you have dark circles under your eyes? Then get your hands on a teaspoon of alum powder. Dissolve it in 2 teaspoons of water, and apply on dark areas under your eyes with the use of a cotton ball. Ensure that you don’t get the solution in your eyes because it will definitely sting! After about 5 to 10 minutes, rinse off with cool water.
It Helps Keep Body Odor at Bay
No matter how stunning you look, it accounts to nothing if you smell terrible. An all-natural way to keep body odor at bay is by gently rubbing a chunk of alum on your underarms after taking a shower or bath. Alum keeps your underarms smelling nice by preventing them from sweating and keeping bacteria from multiplying.
It Also Treats Athlete’s Foot
Due to the fact that alum is capable of killing off microbes, it can be employed for treating athlete’s foot. You simply have to combine 1 part alum powder and 2 parts rose water. Apply on problem areas and let it stay there for several minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water afterwards, and then pat dry.
It Smoothens and Soothes Cracked Heels
Alum may also be used for dealing with cracked heels that can keep you from pulling off certain types of footwear. To smoothen as well as soothe cracked heels, simply massage them with a paste out of 2 parts alum powder and 1 part olive oil or coconut oil. Leave it there for a few minutes, and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
It Stops Nicks From Bleeding
One of the most popular uses of alum is for putting an end to bleeding of minor wounds. Having a small chunk of it within your easy reach can come in handy while you are shaving and you accidentally nick your skin. Simply press alum on the wound for a few seconds, and you can expect the bleeding to stop right away.
It Accelerates the Healing of Canker Sores
Smiling can be a challenge when you have a canker or oral sore, which then leaves you looking less attractive. Luckily, you can lessen the pain as well as speed up the healing process of such with the help of alum. All you have to do is apply a little alum powder on the sore — expect for some stinging! After about 5 minutes, rinse your mouth.
