LAL PHITKARI

Alum is an extremely astringent crystal of potassium aluminum sulfate. Alum is both a particular chemical compound and a group of chemical compounds. The exact compound is the hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate (Potassium alum). Alum refers to two double salts, potassium aluminum phosphate and ammonium aluminum sulphate. These are usually called common or ordinary alum. Alum is a popular ingredient. Alum is a natural mineral that is found in both ground and surface water, and in the food we eat. Potassium alum is the common form of alum available commercially, although both soda alum and ammonium alum are manufactured. As, alum originated naturally before 2,000 years ago, people across many cultures found a number of uses of alum. Until the early part of this century, alum was used as an ingredient in baking powder. It has also been used for giving crispness to pickles and maraschino cherries and to harden gelatin. Medical and health care professionals, often use alum to treat injuries and illness