Description
Alum stone is usually a hydrated double sulfate salt of aluminium which can be used directly as a perfume-free deodorant (antiperspirant), and unprocessed mineral alum is sold in Indian bazaars for just that purpose. Throughout Island Southeast Asia, potassium alum is most widely known as tawas and has numerous uses. It is used as a traditional antiperspirant and deodorant, and in traditional medicine for open wounds and sores. The crystals are usually ground into a fine powder before using. In traditional Japanese art, alum and animal glue were dissolved in water, forming a liquid known as dousa (ja:), and used as an undercoat for paper sizing.