PTI Phatkadi Red (alum) is a wonderful crystal when it comes to skin tightening. Alum or Phitkari, is a transparent salt-like substance that is using in cooking as well as for medicinal purposes. There are various types of Alum such as Potassium Alum or Potass, Ammonium, Chrome, Selenate. In Ayurveda, Alum (Phitkari) is using in the form of Bhasma (Pure Ash) called Sphatika Bhasma. The Sphatika Bhasma along with honey is using to manage whooping cough by reducing the accumulation of mucus in the lungs. Taking Alum Bhasma two times a day might also provide relief from dysentery and diarrhea due to its drying property.

PTI Phatkadi Red is mixed with wax has been used by women to remove unwanted hair. It is also beneficial for tightening and whitening of the skin due to its astringent property. But Alum causes cells to shrink and removes excess oil from the skin making it effective for the reduction of acne scars and pigmentation marks. The topical application of Alum is found to be beneficial for mouth ulcers due to its strong healing activity.

Benefits of Alum:

1. Bleeding piles

Piles are popular as Arsh in Ayurveda which is caused by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. This leads to the impairment of all the three doshas, mainly Vata. An aggravated Vata causes a low digestive fire, leading to constipation. This causes swelling in the veins in the rectum area leading to piles mass. S ometimes bleeding can also occur in this condition. Alum (Sphatika bhasma) helps to control bleeding. Because of its Kashaya (astringent) and Raktastambhak (hemostatic) properties.

Tips:

a. Take 1-2 pinch of Alum (Sphatika bhasma).

b. Mix with one teaspoon honey.

c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to manage piles.

2. Whooping Cough

Alum (Sphatika bhasma) helps to control the symptoms of whooping cough. It reduces mucus in the lungs and controls vomiting in some cases of whooping cough. This is due to its Kashaya (astringent) property.

Tips:

a. Take 1-2 pinch of Alum (Sphatika bhasma).

b. Mix with one teaspoon honey.

c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to control whooping cough.