# Alumen (HMT)

## Remedy Classification
- **Type:** Remedy
- **Alternative Names:** Common Potash Alum
- **Miasm:** Syphilitic Miasm
- **Temperament:** Neutral
- **Aggravation Time:** Neutral/Anytime

## Keynote Indications
.

Alumen is the common alum, which is used to control bleeding from
any wound.  It is famous for cl umping 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 th e 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 wa ter.  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, Alum en 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 i ndurate.  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 touc h 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 a nd 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 prope r 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 weat her aggravates all the symptoms
except the headache, which the cold relieves.

Antidotes:
Potency:
Chamomilla, Nux Vomica, Sulphur, Ipecac
30 – 200

## Symptoms by System