Alumen is the common alum, which is used to control bleeding from any wound. It is famous for clumping together the suspended particles in a solution (colloids). However, it cannot clump suspended matter in air or in gas. The venom of several kinds of snakes acts similarly on the blood. The clots/clumps thus formed, precipitate heart attack by blocking the blood vessels of the heart. If Alumen is directly added to the blood, it will clump the red and white cells, but the fluid part of the blood i.e. serum, which contains the 12 salts in a properly balanced form, is not affected by it. The alum is also used to clean dirty water. The dust particles in colloidal form precipitate to the bottom of the container and the clean water comes to the surface. In this process, a slight amount of alum remains in the water. Therefore, Alumen symptoms are not uncommon in areas such as the Sindh province in Pakistan.
In Alumen, the patients develop deep ulcers or abscesses. The
abscesses may gradually progress to cancer formation. Chronic ulcers, as well
as cancer of the tongue and throat can develop. The lymph glands become swollen
and indurate. The tonsils enlarge and become firm. Hard nodules develop in the
uterus, as well as in the mammary glands (the breast).Like Sulphur, there is a feeling of heat and pressure on
the scalp. Being very sensitive, the
patient of Sulphur cannot tolerate the pressure of the hand or even the touch
of a cloth, while the patient of Alumen feels comfort with pressure.In Alumen, the muscles
are very weak as in Plumbum. In other words, the paralytic features of
Alumen and Plumbum are very much similar. All these ill effects of Alumen, as already mentioned, are
amenable to the homoeopathic potency of Alumen, irrespective of the
cause of the symptoms. If these symptoms and signs are of Alumen and the constitution of the patient is also of Alumen, then Alumen
will offer cure. In addition, prolapsed
uterus due to weaker pelvic muscles will also get better with Alumen.
One of the salient features of Alumen is persistent hoarseness of the voice.
Transient hoarseness is treatable with Borax, Coca or Arsenic. However, as a matter of principle, one
should not merely depend upon hoarseness of the voice to establish the
diagnosis. Other relevant features of these remedies should also be sought. The
illnesses of the throat will benefit from this proper constitutional remedy.
Persistent hoarseness is the nature of Alumen.
Alumen acts profoundly and for long time. Nevertheless it
can also cure acute illnesses. It is very useful in diseases of the intestines, obstinate constipation and
intractable bleeding tendency. It is of great use in the breathing problems of
the elderly. It is also very beneficial in relieving the tightness of the air
passages, difficulty of swallowing liquids and the indurate glands under the
tongue. A severe headache associated with
heaviness of the head is also a symptom of Alumen. Pressure applied locally
offers comfort. All the muscles feel weak. The cold weather aggravates all the
symptoms except the headache, which the cold relieves.