Re: ~ Glowing Brides ~
guys some nice info i found about alum (phitkari) what it also can be used as:
- Makeup: Alum was often used as a base in skin whiteners and treatments during the late 16th Century in the Elizabethan fashion. This is an example of a recipe:
"For the Freckles which one getteth by the heat of the Sun: Take a little Allom beaten small, temper amonst it a well brayed white of an egg, put it on a milde fire, stirring it always about that it wax not hard, and when it casteth up the scum, then it is enough, wherewith anoint the Freckles the space of three dayes: if you will defend your self that you get no Freckles on the face, then anoint your face with the whites of eggs." Christopher Wirzung, General practise of Physicke, 1654.
Hair Stiffener: Alum was used in rock form in the 1950's to rub on the front short hair of a "crewcut". When the hair dried, it would stay up all day.
Fire retardant: By soaking and then drying cloth and paper materials they can be made fireproof.
Wax: Alum is used in the Middle East as a component in wax, compounded with other ingredients to create a hair-removal substance.
hope it was informative... :)