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.