Hey there, Grass to Gains fam!
Imagine if you could transform your skincare, hygiene, and even internal health—all with a tiny, overlooked stone hiding in your bathroom cabinet. Sounds unbelievable, right? Well, that’s exactly what alum can do!
This humble $0.12 powerhouse has been secretly working behind the scenes for centuries, from ancient water purification to modern medicine and cosmetics. And today, I’m revealing how you can harness its incredible benefits to tackle everything from stubborn acne scars and sagging skin to body odor and unexpected health concerns.
Stick around till the end, because I’ll be sharing one surprising alum trick that most people don’t know—but once you do, you’ll never look at Alum the same way again!
Your Skin’s New Best Friend: From Pigmentation to Pimples
If you’re battling hyperpigmentation, those annoying dark spots and uneven skin tone, alum can be a game-changer.
DIY Brightening & Scar Treatment:
- Grab some alum stone (you can find it in solid form).
- Grind it into a fine powder. You can use a mortar and pestle or even a mixer. You can also find alum powder readily available in the market.
- Mix one part alum powder with four parts Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) powder.
- Add a bit of rose water or plain water to create a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste to areas with acne scars, dark spots, or where you tend to get pimples.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes until it dries, then rinse with water.
Important Tips for Application:
- Always stick to the 1:4 alum to Multani Mitti ratio. More is NOT better with alum.
- Apply and remove gently; no need to rub aggressively.
- Use this pack twice a week (e.g., Sunday and Thursday) or a maximum of three times a week, with at least two days in between.
- You might start seeing results in as little as a week, but most people notice a significant difference within a month or two of consistent use.
Sensitive Skin? Try Alum Bhasma! If your skin is particularly reactive, you can use “Fitkari Bhasma” (calcined alum), which is even more potent and gentler.
- Heat a piece of alum stone on a cast iron pan or tawa over medium flame.
- It will melt in about a minute. Once it melts, turn off the gas.
- Once cool, it will re-crystallize. Grind this into a fine powder. This is your alum bhasma! Ayurveda often uses alum in this purified, bhasma form for medicines.
Blackheads? Alum to the Rescue! For blackheads, simply mix alum powder with rose water to make a paste. Apply it gently to the affected area, leave for 15 minutes, and then wash off. The Multani Mitti pack works too!
Dealing with Dryness: Alum is an astringent, meaning it tightens the skin, which can sometimes feel dry or tight. Simply moisturize with a little coconut oil after washing your face.
Beyond the Face: A Full-Body Alum Glow-Up
Goodbye, Dark Underarms & Body Odor! Many antiperspirant deodorants can actually contribute to dark underarms by blocking sweat glands and trapping toxins.
- Ditch those chemical-laden antiperspirants!
- After showering, simply wet an alum stone and rub it gently on your armpits for 10 seconds on each side.
- Alum acts as a natural deodorant, killing odor-causing bacteria without stopping perspiration (which is a natural detox process!). Your underarm skin will also start to lighten!
If you struggle with general body odor, try adding half to one teaspoon of alum powder to a 20-liter bucket of bath water. This helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria all over your body.
Foot Odor & Fungal Fighters: Soak your feet in alum water for 10-15 minutes if you have smelly feet. Alum creates an environment where bad bacteria can’t thrive.
Intimate Hygiene: Instead of harsh chemical intimate washes, consider using alum water to clean private parts. It’s naturally antiseptic and can help prevent infections like leucorrhea, vaginal itching, and UTIs.
Tighten, Firm, and Reduce Wrinkles! For sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines, or open pores:
- Wet your face with normal water.
- Wet an alum stone and gently rub it directly on your wet face for a minute or two.
- Leave it to dry for 5-10 minutes. You’ll feel a tightening sensation, which means it’s working!
- Rinse with water.
- Do this every other day. Alum’s astringent properties shrink pores and tighten skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help brighten your complexion by removing dead skin cells.
Itchy Skin & Eczema Relief:
- For itchy skin, rub wet alum on the affected area. Its antiseptic properties will kill bacteria and fungus causing the itch.
- For eczema, mix half a teaspoon of alum bhasma powder with a little water to form a paste. Apply it to the affected area with cotton, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse. Do this every other day.
Unwanted Facial Hair? Regularly rub a wet alum stone on your wet face after dipping it in warm water. Over time, this can help reduce unwanted facial hair growth.
After Shave & Wound Healing: Alum is a classic aftershave for a reason! Its strong antibacterial and coagulant nature helps heal minor cuts quickly and prevents infection. Plus, it leaves your skin glowing! For any minor cuts or wounds on your body, mix alum powder with coconut oil to make a paste and apply it. This combination is excellent for wound healing. Many commercial wound-healing creams even use alum as an active ingredient!
Oral Health & Beyond: Surprising Internal Uses
Healthy Gums & Fresh Breath:
- Add half a teaspoon of alum powder to half a glass of water.
- Swish this solution around your mouth for 10-15 seconds daily.
- This prevents bad bacteria from growing, eliminating bad breath, preventing tooth decay, helping to fill cavities, and reducing tooth pain. It can also reduce the frequency of mouth ulcers. Why spend on expensive, alcohol-based mouthwashes when this natural, effective option is so cheap and without side effects?
Bleeding & Swollen Gums (Gingivitis): Mix 1 gram of alum with a pinch of cinnamon powder and a little water to form a paste. Gently massage this paste onto your gums for 2-3 minutes. This can significantly help with bleeding and swollen gums.
Chronic Cough & Piles:
- Chronic Cough: Mix two pinches of alum bhasma and honey in half a glass of lukewarm water. Drink this twice a day (morning and evening) for 2-4 days for relief.
- Piles: Drink half a glass of normal water mixed with two pinches of alum bhasma. You should see a difference in a few days. Doctors sometimes use alum solutions for piles treatment.
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding can also benefit from drinking alum water in this way.
Cracked Heels: Make a paste of alum powder and coconut oil. Apply it to your cracked heels every night before bed. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it heals!
Red vs. White Alum: What’s the Difference?
You might come across both red and white alum in the market. Both are beneficial. Just like Himalayan pink salt has more minerals than regular rock salt, red alum tends to have a slightly higher mineral content. However, you can use either!
Final Thoughts
This simple, inexpensive stone is truly a powerhouse of benefits. From boosting your skin’s health and appearance to addressing common ailments, alum offers a natural and effective solution. It’s a testament to the wisdom of traditional remedies and the power of nature.
Which of these alum uses are you most excited to try? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
