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Alum, known as fitkari in Hindi, is a naturally occurring salt that offers several benefits to its users. A combination of aluminium sulphate and potassium sulphate, it is a translucent, whitish-coloured crystal that has been used for its beneficial qualities over centuries. In ayurveda, it was named ‘shubhra’.

Here are five benefits of alum:

As an aftershave lotion: Fitkari helps stop bleeding from shaving cuts, helps to heal the skin and adds a natural glow to it. It also has a naturally toning and skin tightening action, which is good for people older than 50 years of age and that’s when the skin begins to sag with age.

For bad breath: Add one gram of alum and a pinch of rock salt to a glass of warm water, stir till they are dissolved, then rinse the mouth with it. Do not drink it: as it can make you nauseous.

For bleeding gums, weak teeth, and dental caries: Make a paste of one gram of alum, a pinch of cinnamon and some rock salt. Gently massage this on the gums and then wash the mouth. Along with this treatment, drink barley grass juice daily for its gum-healing antioxidants and calcium.

For nose bleeds: Soak a cotton ball in cold water, sprinkle one gram of fitkari (alum) on it, and press it to the site of nose bleed for few seconds. Do not close both nostrils at the same time.

As a water purifier: Alum is one of the most ancient ways to ensure that drinking water is clean. A pinch of alum added to water removes the solid impurities. Once the sediment is thrown away, the water is boiled to kill bacteria.

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