What else is alum used for?

[Labarum]

Be careful. I heard stripping naked causes cancer.

Only in the`sunshine.

 

[BCatl]

I don't think the aluminum from potassium alum is easily absorbed by the body.

From the internet I learned: there is a Three Stooges episode about alum. "No Census, No Feeling". It's on youtube. Curly put's alum in rich folks punch instead of sugar er by mistake.

Also, seems it was mined in Yorkshire. Also, at one time the Pope had a monopoly on it from his mines in Tolfa, Italy. The manipulation of alum seems to be the start of the modern chemical industry. What a substance!

 

[M80]

It is also an antiperspirant (one of the reasons it works as a deodorant).

What are the health issues associated with the use of alum?

There are some links to Alzheimer's and certain cancers because of aluminum absorbtion, but I think the jury is still out on these, as they have not been conclusively proved.

Alum and aluminum are two different substances, with distinct chemical signatures. They possess different chemical properties which create different chemical attributes. Potassium alum contains a negative ionic charge, which does not allow it to travel across cell membranes, so it cannot be absorbed like aluminum can. Potassium alum has not been linked to cancer. Some doctors have recommended the use of alum deodorant for cancer patients who are undergoing radiation treatment.


As for other uses, I have issues with styes and chalazions, and i use a water/alum mixture as an eye wash when I start getting them. I also use it de-odorize stinky shoes. For these uses I use powered alum I get from the spice rack at the supermarket.