- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Mineral; mined in China and elsewhere
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Mineral · № 780
Alumen (kaliumaluminiumsulfaat)
Mineral · Asia
Alum (ming fan)
Alumen (kaliumaluminiumsulfaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: externally astringent and anti-itch; stanches bleeding.
Safety notes
Internally only under supervision. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Crystals. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'substances for external use'. Alum (ming fan) was used externally on itchy, weeping rashes and as a styptic; alum shaving sticks work the same way. It is also used to purify water and dye fabrics.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sour, astringent, cold
- Meridians
- lung, liver, spleen, large intestine
Attributed effects
Externally for damp-hot itching and rashes, parasites and all kinds of bleeding. The book mentions internal use for blood in the stool, uterine bleeding, chronic diarrhoea and wind-phlegm with convulsions and thick phlegm.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist. An alum stone is still known as an aftershave remedy.
Combinations
- With she chuang zi for chronic discharge with itching
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction