Alum (Fitkari) Benefits, Side Effects, and Uses

By growing up in an Indian household, you might surely have seen a white crystal stone called “Fitkari” lying around somewhere in your home, especially in kitchen drawers or bathroom cabinets. That’s the same stone the barber uses on your skin after a shave. But have you wondered why?

So, here we are to answer your childhood query- what is phitkari and what is it used for? In today’s blog, we have shared information about this magical stone, i.e., what is Alum, Phitkari, or fitkari, its historical background, uses, benefits, and side effects associated with it.

Historical Background & Scientific Name

In India, the usage of phitakari/fitkari has been done for centuries, and even more for healing, wellness, and beauty purposes. It is one of the prime ingredients of several Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. The scientific name of phitkari is potassium aluminum sulfate, and in general English, we call it Alum.

Enriched with valuable astringent (tightening), antiseptic (germ-killing), and coagulant (blood-clotting) powers, it works as a natural solution for many health-associated problems.

In different parts of India, Fitkari or Alum in Hindi and other languages is known as:

• In Hindi/ Urdu = Phitkari

• In Punjabi = Fatkari

• In Gujarati = Phatakdi

• In Tamil = Padikaram

• In Bengali = Phitatari

• In Kannada = Udatte Hannu

Ayurvedic Perspective

In Ayurvedic traditions, Alum is famous as “Fatika,” meaning “healing”. It is mainly used in the form of Bhasma (ash). The external usage of fitkari helps to treat wounds, stop bleeding, and manage skin infections due to its ruksha (dry), sheetala (cooling), and laghu (light) qualities, and internally, to some extent, it can support digestion.

Several Ayurvedic formulations are prepared using fitkari, which are used widely as natural deodorants and for maintaining oral hygiene and sore throats. However, the experts suggest using Phitkari in a limited amount because it may support Kapha and Pitta doshas, but when used in excess, it aggravates Vata dosha.

Uses of Fitkari (Alum)

This magical stone, fitkari, is highly versatile and can be used for multiple purposes, such as:

1. Aftershave: Rubbing wet alum stone on the skin helps to disinfect the skin and clear the blocked pores. Further, it has a very gentle, antiseptic, and cauterizing effect that seals tiny blood vessels and controls bleeding from minor cuts after shaving.

2. Water Purification: In ancient times and still today, in many villages of India, the Alum or fitkari is used as a natural water purifier. Adding a small piece of phitkari to the contaminated water filters out the impurities and cleans the water.

3. Oral Care: Using Alum for mouth ulcers, bad breath, and bleeding gums is also beneficial. Loaded with antibacterial properties, it helps to soothe minor inflammation and keep the mouth fresh and free from bad odor.

4. Natural Preservative: To keep the pickle crisp and fresh, often a pinch or a bit of alum is added. Its presence retains the crunch of the pickles and also prevents them from possible fungi.

5. Organic Deodorant: Alum uses also involve using it as a natural deodorant. It is used by a large number of individuals who want to keep their skin, especially underarms, sweat-free without using any kind of artificial fragrances and chemicals.

Fitkari/ Alum Benefits

Besides general uses, there are a number of advantages associated with this magical healing crystal, alum. Out of innumerable, some of the prime fatkari health benefits are as below:

1. Natural Antiseptic: The application of alum on the skin kills the germs, stops the spreading of the infection, and heals the wounds. Since it is a chemical-free option to cleanse the skin that’s why you can rely on it.

2. Stop Bleeding: For minor shaving cuts, you can simply rub this stone on the wounds. It will surely stop the bleeding and also help to heal the wounds.

3. Prohibit body odor: Those who are fed up with excessive sweating and bad odor associated with it can try fatkari underarm deodorant instead of chemical-based deodorants or perfumes. Well, not just fading the odor, the use of alum targets its actual source- bacteria, and provides you with relief.

4. Enhance oral health: Rinsing with alum water makes a great fit to boost oral health and hygiene as it helps to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth, fight bad breath, and strengthen the gums.

5. Help manage acne & oily skin: In Ayurveda, phitkari is used as a shudhi agent, using which one can get rid of many skin problems such as oily skin, acne, pimples, irritation, and even insect bites.

6. Prevent fungus: Being antifungal and antimicrobial, the application of alum on the skin prohibits the growth of fungi. So patients with fungal infection conditions like oral candidiasis, thrush, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and vaginal candidiasis can also be used to attain relief.

7. Promote hair health: Certain studies have even confirmed that rinsing hair with water diluted with alum powder is also beneficial for hair, as it helps to reduce dandruff and prevent problems like scalp infection, head lice, and oiliness.

8. Heal cracked heels: Alum’s inherited skin-soothing and healing nature makes it a wise choice for all those who have cracked heels. For this purpose, simply add a small piece of alum in a water bucket and pour your feet into it. After 10-15 minutes, get your feet out and cleanse the area.

Side Effects of Fitkari

Everything in excess can be harmful, and so does this white crystal alum. Besides a number of health benefits associated with it, there also exist multiple possible side effects of alum, if used in excess or unsatisfactory manner. It mainly includes:

1. Dry or Tight Skin = As we have already mentioned that using Fitkari helps skin tightening, so if you use it in excess on your skin, it can lead to dryness, flakiness, and possibly skin cracks. 

2. Burning Sensation = Well, if you use fitkari on a broken, inflamed, cracked, or sensitive skin, it may result in a sharp-stinging or burning sensation. So, you should avoid using alum on open wounds.

3. Risk of allergic reactions = Sometimes, certain people are allergic to the use of alum, and hence, they may experience allergic reactions. However, such a reaction is quite rare, and you can prevent it through a patch test.

4. Damage to the eyes = Direct contact of alum to the eyes can result in potential eye damage, such as blurry vision, reduced eyesight, corneal thinning, redness, and irritation of the eyes.

5. Gastrointestinal problems = The ingestion of alum is not advised as it has several irritant and astringent properties which can trigger multiple digestive and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, colitis, and even IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease).

6. Respiratory issues = The irritation of the respiratory tract is possible due to inhaling alum dust or fumes. Besides normal cough and irritation, this damage can even develop into bronchial irritation or pneumonia.

7. Kidney Damage = In rare cases, excessive alum consumption or exposure can increase oxidative stress on the kidneys, resulting in kidney damage or impaired functioning.

Precautions while using Fitkari

Fitkari can be both helpful and harmful, and the effects of it purely depend on how you use it. Here are some necessary things that you should keep in mind while using alum:

1. As discussed earlier, the use of alum for skin can be harmful sometimes. That’s why we suggest that you do a patch test on your arm or leg before using it widely, so that you can know how your skin reacts to alum exposure.

2. Alum is meant only for external uses and water purification purposes. Kindly avoid ingestion of alum.
   

3. Rubbing fitkari only helps on shaving nicks and tiny scraps. Don’t apply or rub it on open wounds, as it would sting.

4. In the case of alum, we can say that a little goes a long way. Use fitkari always in a moderate quantity.

5. To prevent irritation and any serious damage, it is advised to avoid using alum near the eyes and sensitive areas.

6. Make sure to consult a doctor if you are pregnant or if you want to use alum for children.

Takeaway

Remember, fitkari/alum is much more than just a simple white stone. Starting from skin care to oral health, purifying water, preventing unwanted odors, and controlling bleeding, it is a powerful traditional remedy that is readily available.

However, the ideal usage and wise manner are the key to attaining such benefits; otherwise, it can also lead to potential health risks. Make sure to seek professional advice first before incorporating this powerful stone, Alum, into your normal routine.