Ever wondered how women in the ancient times removed unwanted hair? They used a magical ingredient easily available to us (think: grocery shops) called “Phitkari/Alum.” You may have heard of Phitkari being used for water treatment where a pinch of alum is added to water to remove the solid impurities. This is perhaps the most ancient method of purifying water. But this powerhouse of an ingredient possesses infinite health and wellness benefits.
If you’ve Googled about concerns regarding its safety, you’re not alone. In our experience, a number of other questions that circle the user’s mind about using Alum include:
Q1. Where can I buy Alum powder?
Q2. Is Phitkari safe to use?
Q3. What is the Alum stone made of?
All valid questions if you ask us. So in this blog, we will provide a holistic overview of the Alum block and outline how you can integrate it into your daily lifestyle to leverage its diverse benefits and uses.
Phitkari by Formula:
A lot of people wonder whether this “chemical” compound is safe to ingest/apply, and rightly so. So here we will break down what this natural stone comprises. Simply, it’s a naturally occurring salt that’s a combination of Aluminium Sulphate and Potassium Sulphate with the chemical formula KAl(SO4)2·12H2O.
Typically, Alum is found in the crystalline and white powder form. It is considered safe to use and hence, often used in kitchen spices/pickling ingredients.
Fun Facts:
- Wet alum block is used as a “deodorant rock” for the underarms due to its anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties. Ideally, it should be used on alternate days instead of using it daily.
- It is also used in the styptic pencil to stop minor cut bleeding.
- It is one of the primary components in after-shave lotions and anti-septic creams.
- Alum is considered as potent as epinephrine – a drug which helps in cases of bleeding due to tooth extraction!
- It was also used in ancient Egypt to treat cataract and clear eye abscesses.
Phitkari By Appearance
This translucent, white crystal is a water-soluble compound. It is an astringent and has a sweet-and-sour taste.
Phitkari By Other Names:
- Chinese: Bai Fan, Ming Fan Shi
- Sanskrit: Sphatikari, Surashtraja, Kamakshi, Venmali.
- English: Alum, Potash, Sulphate of Aluminium, Ammonium, Aluminous Sulphate
- Hindi: Phitkari, Fitkari
- Bengali: Phatphadi, Phatkiri
- Marathi: Phatki
- Sindhi: Patki
- Tamil: Patikaram, Padikharam, Shinacarum, Padikara Kal
- Telegu: Pattikaramu, Patika
- Kannada: Phatikara, Patika
- Malayalam: Fatakadi, Phatakadi
- Gujarati: Phatakadi
Phitkari by Multi-Purpose Uses
In its natural form, Alum has been in use for the last 2000 years which includes the household, industrial, and health domains. It was and is still used as:
- A pickling agent to help keep pickles from softening
- An effective flame retardant (used in fireproof textiles).
- A primary ingredient in hair removal waxes.
- A chemical component in baking powder
- As an effective salt for skin-whitening.
All in all, it is most widely used to save your skin (pun intended) and treat skin-related ailments.
All About Alum: Top-10 DIY Home Remedies
Phitkari For Teeth / Bleeding Gums / How To Use Fitkari For Tooth Pain?
For toothache and pain relief, there are three ways you can use phitkari
1. Combine powdered Phitkari and Reetha. Apply on teeth for immediate relief.
2. Mix Phitkari powder and coal powder of Jamun/Jambul wood, and massage affected areas.
3. Take 1/2 tsp of phitkari powder and dissolve in 1 glass of water. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with this water twice a day. Only after a few uses, the pain will be significantly reduced.
In case of bleeding gums, make a paste of 1gm Alum, a pinch of cinnamon, and rock salt. Massage your gums and wash your mouth.
Fitkari For Teeth Cavity
There is a renowned method of using alum and mustard oil for teeth which is especially useful in case of cavities.
In a tsp of mustard oil, add half tsp of alum powder and make a paste by mixing properly. Apply on the tooth with a cavity with the help of a cotton ball. Keep the cotton ball on the cavity for minimum 15 minutes twice a day. You will experience relief in a few days of use.
Bad Breath
Add 1 gm Alum and a pinch of rock salt to warm water. Rinse the mouth and be extra careful to not drink it or you may end up feeling nauseous.
Kidney Stones
For a blocked urinary system, dissolve Fitkari alum in water and drink it for a period of 4-5 days.
Head Lice / Dandruff
For treating lice, dissolve 10g of Alum crystal powder in 1ltr water and apply on the forehead to get rid of lice. Alternatively, you can also mix phitkari dissolved in water in your favourite oil and apply on your scalp. For treating dandruff, add a pinch of Phitkari powder and salt to your shampoo and wash your hair.
Cough (Wet / Dry)
Take 10gm Fitkari and 100gm sugar in the powdered form. Divide into 14 parts equally and store in a dry place. For a dry cough, take 1 part with 125gm hot milk every night before going to bed. For wet cough, take one part of the mixture with 125gm hot water.
Nose Bleeds
Take a cotton ball soaked in cold water and sprinkle 1 gm Alum powder. Apply on nose bleed one side at a time.
Acne / Pimples / Open Pores / Acne Scars & Pigmentation
Mix Alum powder in water and make a paste. Apply on the affected area, leave it for 20 mins, and wash off. Repeat this daily for long-lasting results.
Alternatively, take a pinch of Phitkari, add a spoonful of Multani mitti, few drops of lemon juice, and rose water to make a paste, and apply on skin. Leave for 15-20 mins and rinse. Apply moisturizer/coconut oil post rinsing to avoid dry skin.
Important: Please do a small tester before applying on your face as different skin types may have a different reaction to it.
Skin Tightening
Make a fine paste with Phitkari powder and water. Add rose water and 1 egg to it. Mix thoroughly and apply on face. Keep it for at least 30 minutes and wash off.
Delaying Wrinkles
Take a solid piece of Phitkari and rub your face with it gently. Then wash your face with rose water and finally finish the routine with a moisturizer.
Conversely, you can try this face pack: Take a pinch of alum, add 1 teaspoon of Multani mitti, one egg white, and few drops of almond oil. Apply on the face and wash off after 20 mins. Make sure to be gentle when using this face pack.
Dark Underarms And Dark Circles
Make a paste of Phitkari with rose water and apply in your underarms on a weekly basis. For people having dark circles, add a few drops of lemon water to it and apply under the eye.
Phitkari For Unwanted Hair Removal
Mix 1/2 teaspoon Phitkari and 1 teaspoon rose water and apply on the skin. Leave for 30 mins and wash off. In case you feel that the paste has become too dry, add more rose water to it. This paste can also be applied post-waxing as it reduces hair growth. This is especially useful for reducing facial hair growth above the lips and on the sides of the face.
Does Alum Remove Hair Permanently?
Phitkari does not remove hair permanently but it simply reduces the hair growth by shrinking the hair follicles.
Cracked Heels
Heat Alum in a bowl till all the water has evaporated and you are left with a crumbly mixture. Mix this mixture with coconut oil and apply on your heels. Massage gently.
DIY Deodorant
Heat alum with water until the crystals dissolve completely. Once it cools down, add your preferred essential oil (Lavender, Tea Tree, etc.) to it. Pour the solution in a clean, dry bottle that comes with a spray nozzle. Voila, you have your own low-cost deodorant!
Eye Abscesses
For people suffering from a stye, take 1 teaspoon of alum powder, add 1 spoon of sandalwood powder, 2 spoons of rose water and make a paste. Apply on stye, keep for 10-15 mins, and wash off. Repeat for 3-4 days, once a day.
Important: Please make sure to consult your doctor before using Alum for any allergies, side-effects, or unknown complications.
Phitkari’s Fruitful Benefits: In a Nut Shell
Alum’s benefits are multi-purpose in nature and manifold in execution. Let’s take a closer look at its benefits:
Phitkari For Face Skin Whitening / Acne / Open Pores
Primarily, Phitkari is applied topically for facial skin whitening purposes and preventing infections. It comes with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and acts as a natural toner, lightens the skin colour, and delays wrinkles.
Due to its antibacterial and astringent properties, it also aids in healing cuts/wounds, fights off acne by constricting and closing open pores and washing out bacteria from your skin, adding a natural glow to the skin.
Regular application can also get rid of old acne scars, sunburnt skin and pigmentation. The remedy is described above.
Regulating Urine
For people who are unable to pee and kidney stones, consuming Phitkari dissolved in water acts as a “Ram Baan.” Phitkari directly impacts the kidney and clears the urinary tract of excess water and toxins.
Inflammation Of Fingers / Pain Relief
For people suffering from finger and toe inflammation – especially during the winters – Alum can be effective. Boil Alum in water. Let it cool to a lukewarm temperature. Then wash off your hands and toes and see the pain and inflammation disappear.
Internal Wounds
One of the most difficult wounds to treat, Phitkari added to a glass of warm milk and turmeric works wonders in cases of internal wounds.
Oral Health
Alum has amazing benefits when it comes to maintaining oral health. It gets rid of oral cavities, gingivitis, pain in the gums, mouth ulcers, bleeding and receding gums. This is due to its anti-bacterial properties. It constricts blood vessels in the gums and reduces bleeding – a side effect of tooth extraction or gum infection.
Plus, using Potash Alum as a mouthwash is known to reduce dental plaque and mouth ulcers, whereas when it is used as fluoride toothpaste, it helps reduce the risk of dental caries in children.
Side Effects Of Alum On Teeth?
Alum does not have any side effects specifically for teeth. If consumed internally in large quantities, it can cause toxicity in the liver and decrease sperm count so it should always be used with care and doctor’s advice.
Phitkari For Vaginal Tightening
Many females suffer from loosening of the vagina after delivery. Washing the intimate parts with alum water (boil 1/2 tsp powdered alum in 2 to 3 cups of water and then cool), make the vaginal walls tighter and maintains the pH balance of the intimate area. It also removes redness, itching and rashes.
Mosquito Larvae
Come monsoons and the mosquitoes start breeding left, right, and centre. This is where Alum can be used to get rid of mosquito larvae which are responsible for diseases like malaria, dengue, etc. Basically, potash alum combines all the salts in water and destroys larvae skin as soon they come in contact with it.
Increasing immune Response
As an adjuvant, Phitkari can be used along with vaccines for developing a strong immune response against diseases. Simply, it offers enhanced immunity. Some of the vaccines in which it is used include DPT, Hepatitis A, and Pneumococcal, etc.
Phitkari’s Side-Effects & Precautionary Measures
- Pregnant and lactating mothers should consult their doctor before using it.
- Alum taken in excess to treat fever can become toxic and cause liver damage and reduce sperm mobility.
- Prolonged use of Alum in the Bhasma form can cause mouth dryness, gastritis, intestinal inflammation, ulcers, and nausea.
Important: As with all-natural ingredients, care must be taken to apply/consume the right dosage. Alum should only be taken for a shorter duration. Also, please consult your doctor before taking alum in any form.
Did you find this post useful? Would you like to get back to it later? Save THIS PIN below to your Pinterest Natural Living or Ayurveda board!
