SHIBB -E-YAMANI (ALUM) A UNIQUE DRUG AND ITS UTILIZATION IN UNANI MEDICINE: A PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

Abstract

Phitkari (Alum) is a very renowned and useful drug in Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a drug of mineral origin, found in the form of crystals resembling to salt. It is called Zaj-e-Abyaz in Arabic and Shibb-e-Yamani in Persian, and Alum in English. It is a very ancient medicine; first time Alum was prepared in Bilade Mashriqiya (Asian countries). The earliest surviving discussions of Phitkari in the literature of antiquity are the works of the Greek physician Dioscorides. Arab physicians especially Razi discussed it in details. Razi included Alum among the types of vitriol, probably due to the similarities in their astringent qualities and mode of occurrence in his Book of Secrets (Kitab al-asrar). It is used as antiseptic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, hemostyptic. It is also used in many compound formulations in various dosage forms. In this paper, Alum is reviewed for its pharmacological and physicochemical properties due to its importance and beneficent medical indications.
Keywords: Shibb-e-Yamani, Alum, Phitkari, drug, Unani, medicine, physicochemical, pharmacological activity

Full text

Akhtar Ali et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 8 (2), 2017
17
Review Article
www.ijrap.net
SHIBB-E-YAMANI (ALUM) A UNIQUE DRUG AND ITS UTILIZATION IN UNANI MEDICINE:
A PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW
Akhtar Ali 1, Hamiduddin 2*, Mohammad Zaigham 1
1Department of Ilmul Saidla (Unani Pharmacy), Z.H. Unani Medical Collage & Hospital, Siwan
2Lecturer, Department of Ilmul Saidla (Unani Pharmacy), National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) Kottigepalya,
Magadi main Road, Bengaluru, India
3PG Scholar, Department of Ilmul Saidla (Unani Pharmacy), National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM)
Kottigepalya, Magadi main Road, Bengaluru, India
Received on: 03 /01/17 Revised on: 18/02/17 Accepted on: 22/02/17
*Corresponding author
E-mail: drhamid2003@rediffmail.com
DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.08255
ABSTRACT
Phitkari (Alum) is a very renowned and useful drug in Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a drug of mineral origin, found in the form of
crystals resembling to salt. It is called Zaj-e-Abyaz in Arabic and Shibb-e-Yamani in Persian, and Alum in English. It i s a very ancient medicine; first
time Alum was prepared in Bilade Mashriqiya (Asian countries). The earliest surviving discussions of Phitkari in the literature of antiquity are t he
works of the Greek physician Dioscorides. Arab physicians especially Razi di scussed it in details. Razi included Alum a mong t he types of vitriol,
probably due to t he similarities in their astringent qualities and mode of occurrence in his Book of Secrets (Kitab al-asrar). It is used as antiseptic,
antipyretic, antispasmodic, hemostyptic. It i s also used in many compound formulat ions in vari ous dosage forms. In t his paper, Alum is revie wed for
its pharmacological and physicochemical properties due to its importance and beneficent medical indications.
Keywords: Shibb-e-Ya mani, Alum, Phitkari, drug, Unani, medicine, physicochemical, pharmacological activity
INTRODUCTION
Phitkari (Alum) is a mineral origin drug, named due to its Qabiz
(astringent) property and action.1 It is called Zaj-e-Abyaz in
Arabic and Shibb-e-Yamani in Persian, and Alum in English.2
According to Unani medicine literature it is styptic (Kasela), and
some are sour in taste, It is soluble in water, dissolve when
heated.3 Phitkari is transparent, Burraq (type of salt) like
friable.4 It is soluble ten times in normal water and three times in
warm water.5 Its weight is less than salt.15 Alum is a general
double sulphates containing aluminium.6
Historical aspect: For the first-time Alum was prepared in
Bilade Mashriqiya (Asian countries), it is very ancient medicine.
According to author of Umdatul Muhtaj, Hippocrates mentioned
about Phitkari.3 The earliest surviving discussions of Phitkari in
the literature of antiquity are the works of the Greek physician
Dioscorides (first century AD)3 and the Roman naturalist Pliny
the Elder (79 AD). Dioscorides mentioned Alum as mineral due
to its type of origin. Greeks called it ‘chalcanthon’, in Latin it
was called Atramentum sutorium (blackening agent for leather).7
Ancient Greeks and Romans used aluminium salts as dyeing
mordents and as astringents for dressing wounds; Alum is still
used as a styptic.
Nature and types: According to Ibn Hubal Baghdadi Zaj are
four types (1) Zaj-e-Abyaz (white Alum): that is free from sands
and stones, also known as Qalqadees (2) Zaj-e-Asfar (yellow
Alum) also known as Qalqatar (3) Zaj-e-Akhzar (green Alum)
also known as Qalqand (4) Zaj-e-Ahmar (Red Alum) also
known as Soori and Soghmar. All types of Zaj are soluble in
water except Zaj-e-Ahmar because it is very tough, hard and
coagulated. Zaj-e-Abyaz and Akhzar are best quality of them;
Zaj-e-Asfar is Mutadil. The best quality of Zaj is that, which is
easily breakable.8,9 According to Al-Maghribi it has five types,
and best type is Sabz Qabrisi, i.e. Lateef QawiI.10 Najmul ghani
mention in Khazain al-Advia that there are 17 to 18 types of
alum3 but only three special types are used in treatment. (1)
Sahti (Mushaqqaq) (broken in pieces) (2) Istriqooli means
Mustadir (round shape) (3) Awagira means Ratab (wet). The
best type of these is Mushaqqaq it is bright, white, fresh, more
sour and clean from all types of adulterated sands like Tarheeli
(another Shora) that is found in Egypt.2 According to Majusi it
is found of various types, but best quality is “Misri Zaj” that is
round, compact and light golden in colour.11 In nearly all the
market in India, Alum (potash alum) in a more or less
contaminated state is sold under the name of Phitkari
(Hindustani / Indian name). It may be rendered fit for medicinal
uses by dissolving it in water, to obtain crystals, evaporating the
solution. It forms the main constituent, conjoined with peroxide
of iron, of Salajet or Alum earth of Nepal, which forms an
important article of the inhabitant Materia Medica. It is probably
a form of iron-alum for an account of this drug and its uses.
Another aluminous earth, named Pah. It was distinct to be a
variety of feather alum, in which the potassa is replaced by
peroxide of iron. Another earth from the same locality called
Meth or Met; contain 13.16 percent of alumina and 17.80
percent of peroxide of iron.12
Types of Alum
Potassium Alum: It is aluminum potassium sulfate also known
as tawas or potash alum. This is the type of alum that is found in
the grocery store for pickling and in baking powder. It is also
used in leather tanning, in water purification as a flocculants, in

Akhtar Ali et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 8 (2), 2017
18
after shave as an ingredient and as a treatment to fireproof
textiles. Its chemical formula is KAl (SO4)2.
Soda alum: Soda alum has the formula NaAl (SO4)2.12H2O. It
is used in baking powder and as an acidulent in food.
Ammonium Alum: Its formula is NH4Al (SO4)2.12H2O. It is
used for many of the same purposes as potassium alum and soda
alum. Ammonium alum finds applications in tanning, flame
retardant, textiles, dyeing making textiles, in the manufacture of
porcelain cements in water purification, vegetable glues, and in
some deodorants.
Chrome Alum: It is also known chromium alum. It has the
formula KCr(SO4)2.12H2O. It is deep violet compound used in
tanning and can be added to other alum to grow lavender or
purple crystals.
Selenate Alums: It occurs when selenium takes the place of
sulfur, so that instead of a sulfate you get a Selenate, (SeO42-).
The selenium containing alums are more strong oxidizing
agents, so as antiseptics they can be used, among other uses.
Aluminum Sulfate: Another name of this compound is
papermaker's alum. However, it is not technically alum.13 As
found in the market, it is frequently mixed with impurities; it
can be rendered fit for the medical uses by dissolving it in
boiling water, straining the solution and evaporating it to obtain
crystals. Alum is a general name for a class of double Sulphates
containing aluminium and such metals as potassium,
ammonium, iron etc.6 A double Sulphate of Ammonia and
alumina, NH4O, SO, Al2O8, 3SO8+24HO or NH4Al
(SO4)2.12H2O, prepared by different processes from aluminous
shale. It occurs in the form of colorless, transparent, crystalline
masses, exhibiting the faces of the regular octahedron, and
having an acid sweetish astringent taste.6
Alumen exsiccatum (dried Alum): Prepared by taking four
ounces of Alum and heating in a suitable vessel or other
porcelain dish till it liquefies, heat is then raise and continue till
aqueous vapor ceases to be disengaged, and the salt has lost 47
percent of its weight. Then residue is reduced to powder, and
preserve in wall stopped bottle. Its property is similar to Alum,
and more powerful. It is mild escharotics, its dose is 5-15
grains.12
Controversies (Unani & general): Zaj in Unani medicine is
referred to vitriol in several texts which is a group of mineral
substances having sulfates of divalent metals. Vitriol are
recognized in modern science as hydrated sulfates of divalent
metals (iron, copper, magnesium and zinc), form as secondary
minerals inside the weathering zones of metallic sulfide
deposits, ancient time referred as ipyritesi. The iron and copper
varieties of vitriol were widely recognized and utilized in the
past, and were commonly referred to respectively as green
[melanterite (FeSO4. 7 H2O)] and blue vitriol [chalcanthite
(CuSO4 .5H 2O)]. An early attempt Persian physician and
alchemist Muhammad ibn Zakkariya ar-Razi (c. AD 854-
925/935) systemize the classification of mineral substances
beyond the level of metals, stones, and earths. In his Book of
Secrets (Kitab al-asrar), written around 900 AD, Razi classified
all substances known to him, first dividing them into four main
groups: mineral, vegetable, animal, and derivatives of these. The
latter included substances that ar-Razi was unable to include into
any of the three preceding groups, as for example Litharge
(basic lead carbonate), Verdigris (basic copper acetate), and
Tutia (zinc oxide). “Among Ar-Razis table of mineral categories
vitriol appears as a class of six substances.”
Razi included Alum among the types of vitriol, probably due to
the similarities in their astringent qualities and mode of
occurrence “According to Razi Six Atraments (metallic sulfates
and their impurities) are: 1. Black atrament (impure FeSO4), 2.
Alum (a rather vague category including KAl(SO4)2 in varying
degrees of purity as well as other metallic sulfates) 3. Calcandis
or white atrament (qalqant in Arab it is a weathering product of
copper/iron ores or alum) 4. Calcande or green atrament
(qalqadis in Arab is iron and / or copper sulfate) 5. Calcatar or
yellow atrament (qalqatar in Arab is decomposition product of
sulfide and sulfate rich copper or iron ores, burnt iron vitriol
/iron sulfate and iron oxide) 6. Surianum or red atrament (suri in
Arab it is same as calcatar).7 Unani philosophers explains Zaj
and Shibb both are different thing. According to Al-Majoosi, Zaj
is Hot and dry and Shibb-e-Yamani is cold and dry in
temperament.11 Zaj has more sour property. But in some text,
both are equal with some conditions.3 Razi mentioned Alum as a
type of vitriol, probably due to its mode of occurrence and
astringent qualities and as if Alum had different medicinal and
industrial use in comparison with vitriol, but both were prepared
by similar way and even can be find together.7
Habitat: About all type of Alum are found in Egyptian mines. It
is also found like Geru (red ocher) in Milas, Maqdunia, Linara,
Soroon, Linaroos, Fruia, Nanwa, Arminia etc and various sites,2
also found in Yeman, Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab.5,12 It is
procured from various parts of countries especially from Lahore
and Khushab.4 It synthesize in factories in north area of Sindh
River, Khateri and Singhada in Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai and
Punjab.14 Alum predominantly found with peroxide of iron in
Silajit or in Alum earths of Nepal or prepared from the alum
shale’s for commerce in the Punjab, Bihar, Rajputana, and
Cuttack and else-ware States. Mostly in the soil in many parts of
India, and it is prepared for commerce in Sindh, Cuttack, Bihar,
Punjab, and elsewhere 6,12 Alums occur naturally in various
minerals. Potassium alum is found in the minerals Kalinite,
Alunite, and Leucite, which can be treated with Sulfuric acid to
obtain crystals of the Alum.15
Vernacular Name
Arabic: Zaj-e-Abyaz,2,4,6 Zaj, shibbe6, yaman.14 Urdu:
Phitkari.14 English: Alum,2,14 Sulphate of Alumina and Potash
or of Aluminium and Ammonium, Aluminous sulphate.6 Latin:
Aluminum Sulphate14 Persian: Shibb-e-Yamani,2,6 Zake safed
4,14 Zake bilore.6 Hindi: Phitikhar,6 Phitkar.2,14 Sanskrit:
Phatikari, Surashtraja, Kamakshi, Tuvari 6 Sithi, Angda,14
Venmali.16 Bengali: Phatkiri.6 Guajarati & Duk: Phatkari.6,14
Tamil: Patikaram, Adikharum, Shinacrum.6 Telgu:
Pattikaramu, Padikharam.6 Canra: Phatikara.6 Sindh: Shina-
aran.6 Malay: Tawas.6 Maratha: Trae phitki.6,14 Punjabi:
Phitkari.14
Unani morphology (mahiyat): It is a famous drug of mineral
origin, found in the form of crystals resembling to salt but lesser
in weight.4 (Figure 1) Shibb-e-Yamani (SY.) is a mineral origin
drug. It has no odor, styptic and some sour in taste, soluble in
water, dissolve when heated. According to Unani physician best
quality of Alum is that, which is brittle on rubbing between the
fingers.3 It was named due to its qabiz (astringent) property and
action and as its jouhar is ghaleez. The lateef variety comes
from Yemen; other variety is mustadeer (round). Shibb-e-Ratab
and Shibb-e-Safayeh are very ghaliz in characteristic.1 (also

Akhtar Ali et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 8 (2), 2017
19
available in crystal form17 of white in colour and some are
yellowish also.4
Taste: Bakhatta kasila tez maza qadre shore (styptic sour and
briny), 4, 18 shireen wa kasiala (sweet and styptic).5, 8, 17
Mizaj (Temperament): Hot & Dry 3°,17,19,20 Hot1° & Dry 2°,3
according to others Hot2° & Dry 3° 14,18 according to Some
Hot4° & Dry 4°,3 Hot & dry,11 Hot & dry3° (at first stage/
Martabe awwal),4 Hot &dry2°.21
Figure 1: Phitk ari (Alum)
Afal (pharmacological action) as per Unani literature: Akkal
(corrosive),4,5,21 dafe’ naubate tap (anti intermittent fever),17,21
dafe’ tashannuj (antispasmodic / anticonvulsant),3 dafe’ ta’ffun
(antiseptic),5 dafe’ tape larza (antipyretic),5 habis-i-dam
(hemostyptic),3,5,17 jali (detergent),4,10,19 mane’-aashobe-chashm
(anti-conjunctivitis) ,5 mudir (diuretic),17 mufattite-sange-gurda-
wa-masana (antilithiatic) ,4 mughalliz-i-mani (retentive of
semen),3,17 muhallile auram (resolvent),3 muhallile riyah
(resolvent of flatulence),4 muharriq (stimulant),8,9,11 muhayyij,17
muhazzil (Anti obesity),10 mujaffif (desiccant),10,17,19 mukhrije,
janeen wa mashima (abortifacient) ,21 mulattif (demulcent),3,11
munbite sha’r (hair grower),10 mundamile qurooh (cicatrizant /
healing agent),5 muqawi dandan wa lissa (strengthen the teeth
and gums),4,19 muqi (emetic),17,21 musahhij (ulcerative),17
musakhin (calorific),2,17,19 muzayyiqe raham,41 nafe’ lissa damia
(useful in bleeding gums),19 nafe’ zufra wa qaruhe lahme
zaeda,19 qabiz (astringent).3,8,11
Nafa’ khas (Important benefit): Amraze gurda wa masana and
ain (diseases of kidney, urinary bladder and eyes),4 habisuddam
(hemostyptic), mundamile qurooh (cicatrizant / healing
agent).5,21
Istemal (uses) as per Unani literature: Aag se jalna (post burn
condition),2 aakila (rodent ulcer),20 aakilae dehan (gangrenous
stomatitis) aakilae bini (scabies of the eye-lashes),20 aankh ki
mail (cleaning eye),4,14 amraze farj zanana (vaginal diseases) ,22
amraze lissa wa dandan (diseases of gums and tooth),21 aqr
(sterility),14 arqun nasa (sciatica),20 ashob-i-chashm (acute
conjunctivitis),14,17,18 aurame balghami,2,3aurame jufn,
(blepharitis),4 bad gosht from eye lids (malignant ulcer of eye
lids),2 baghal ki badbu (bad ouder from axilla),2 baras wa bahaq
(vitiligo and ptyriasis) ,3,10 bauluddam (heamaturia),6 bawaseer
(hemorrhoid),10,14,21 bichhu ka zahar (scorpion poison),41 busoore
labania, (acne vulgaris),2,3,14 busur (creeping ulcer),20 damma
(asthma),14 daton ka hilna (shaky teeth),8 difda‘ al-lisan
(ranula),8,20 du‘fe Dandan wa lissa,11,14 ganj (baldness),8,9 gastric
and intestinal catarrh,6 hummae mewi (typhoid fever),14 ihtebase
haiz (amenorrhea),17 indimale qurooh (cicatrization),9,17 ishal
(purgation),14,21 ishale muzmin (chronic diarrhea),17 istisqae
lahmi (anasarca),3 jala (vision problem), jiryan, sayalane mani
(spermatorrhoea),14,22 jiryan al-dam, (heamorrhage),10,17,21 nafsud
dam (hemoptysis),6,14 rua’f, (nakseer) (apistaxis),8,17,20 kasrate
haiz (menorrhegia),6,10 kharish tar wa khushk (pruritis and
scabies),4,17 kharishe mahbal (vaginal itching),17 khrujul maqad
(rectal prolapse),17,21 khunaq (diphtheria),17,21 khushk kharish
(dry scabies),2 khushkie sadr (dryness of the lungs) ,20
khushunate ajfan (dryness of eye lids),16 mashara (erysipelas),20
nakhuna, (pterygium),14 nasoor (fistula),8,9,10 nasur (fistula),20
naubati bukhar (paroxysmal fever),17,21 nisyan (dementia),14
pasina (perspiration),14 qai (vomiting),22 qarhul uzun (auricular
ulcers),20 qula‘dehan (stomatitis),2,3,17 quroohe gurda wa masana
wa ihleel (ulcers of kidney, urinary bladder and urethra),4,14
quroohe khabeesa (malignant ulcer),8 quroohe uzun (ulcer of
ear),8 quruhe litha mutaffina (malignant gum swellings) sa’fa
(favus),20 sange gurda wa masana (stone of kidney and urinary
bladder),4,18 sanp ka zahar (snake poison),14 sar ki bhusi
(dandruff),2 sayalan al-rahim (leucorrhoea),6,17,18 shaheeqa
(whooping cough),9,14,17 shaqeeqa (migraine),14 siql sama’t
(hearing impairment),3 sozak (gonorrhea),17 suda’
(headache),3,14,18 ta’ffune lissa (infected gums),8 taakkule asnan
(dental caries),20 tahabbuje atraf (peripheral edema),3 taqteerul
boul (dribbling of urine),22 tar kharish (wet scabies), 3,8,20 tarikiee
chashm,2 tishnagi atash (thirst),22 wajul asnan (toothache), 3,9,14
wajul uzun wa quroohul uzun (otolgia and ulcer of ear),9,14
warme halaq (laryngitis),17,21 warme louzatain (tonsillitis),17,21
warme mahbal (vaginitis),17,21 white spot in nail (koilonychia),2
yarqan (jaundice),14 zarirul asnan (shaky teeth).2,20
Pharmacological action and uses as per other literature:
Antiseptic,6,12 albuminuria, antispasmodic, aphonia, arrest
excessive menstrual bleeding, in asthma,6 astringent,2,6,12 atonic
diarrhea,12 atony of the Larynx bed sores, bleeding from Gums,
Nose, Vagina or Rectum and other mucous surfaces, bleeding
Piles,6 bronchoroea catarrhal affections of the stomach,
catarrhal ophthalmia,12 caustic, chronic and purulent ophthalmia,
chronic Conjunctivitis,6 colica pictonum,12 concussion of the
Brain or Spinal Cord, Cough, Diabetes, Diphtheria,6
ecchymosis of the eye (as a collyrium),12 emetic in repeated
dose, enteric fever, excessive salivation,6 exuberant
granulations,12 Fissures of the tongue, fluxes profuse ropy
mucous phlegm, fractures, Gonorrhea,6,12 Cholera, haemostatic,
hemorrhage from Kidneys Lungs and other organs such as
Stomach, Uterus and Kidneys, in hiccup,6 hospital gangrene
infantile cholera,12 Injuries, Insect and Scorpion Bites, Irritant
and purgative (in large dose) Chronic diarrheas, Diarrhea of
phthisis,6 leucorrhoea,6,12 Loose Teeth, Malaria,6
Menorrhagia,6,12 Narcotic poisoning 6 Ophthalmia neonatorum,
ophthalmia tarsi,12 Otorrhoea,6 passive hemorrhages,12
Pharyngitis,6 Post Partum Hemorrhage,6 profuse discharge
ulcerations,12 Prolapsus Ani,6 prolaps of Uterus and Rectum (as
an injection),12 Vomiting, relaxed or ulcerated sore-throat,
severe sprains, spongy or bleeding Gums, strangury,6 styptic,12
sweating feet, swollen Gums, bronchospasm, toothache, Ulcers
of the Mouth and Tongue, Urethral discharge, Urethral
stricture,6 Whooping cough.6,12
Ayurveda and other traditional medicine uses: Wound/
Ulcer, Leprosy, in poisoning, gonorrhea, Meningitis, disorder of
phlegm and bile, vomiting, Cholera, Epistaxis, Stomatitis,
Asthama, ear ache, absorbent, astringent, steptic, light irritant,
quatrative, wormicidal6
Sozishe, Burning, Uvulitis, Irritation in tonsils, mouth ulcers,
diphtheria, hoarseness of voice, chronic cough, chronic diarrhea,
hemorrhage, dysentery, prolapsed of rectum, throat pain, Mouth
Ulcers, Conjunctivitis,3 adjuvant in vaccines, skin whitener.15
Other than medicinal uses: Useful as coloring agent so it is
called Randa .14 It is constantly applied in saturated cloths 6after
shave treatment for centuries, for Water Purification as

Akhtar Ali et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 8 (2), 2017
20
flocculating agent, as a wonderful deodorant due to its antiseptic
and anti bacterial properties, for body hair removal for women,
for wrinkles.23 In paper making, as a mordant (binder) in dyeing,
it fixes dye to cotton and other fabrics, rendering the dye
insoluble, in pickling, in baking powder, in fire extinguishers. In
toothpaste, an ingredient in some homemade and commercial
modeling clay, flame retardant etc.15
Mazarrat (Toxicity as per Unani medicine): For lungs,
sometimes destructs lungs cells by his Quwate tajfeef,8,9,19
Produce sil wa diq (Tuberculosis) ,10 for Intestine,3 for
Stomach,3,4,19 karab wa khunaq (distressing pain and ludwig’s
angina).5 All kind of vitriol are caustic, produce dandruff white
vitriol is most astringent while the yellow one is moderately so,2
irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Breathing alum
can cause lung damage; ingesting alum will make you vomit.13
Reported toxicity: Peazella et al. reports the case of a patient
with renal failure following a bone marrow transplantation that
developed an acute encephalopathy from apparent aluminum
intoxication following intravesical alum.24 Kanwar et al.
reported mental status changes, speech disturbance, coarse
tremor, and abnormal EEG findings following intra-vesical 1%
alum irrigation and administration of aluminum-containing
antacids in a teenage girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Slightly elevated serum albumin levels and bone marrow biopsy
demonstrated aluminum deposition 25 Perl et. al. studied three
cases of senile dementia (Alzheimer type) and three
nondemented elderly controls, Foci of aluminum were detected
within the nuclear region of a high percentage of neurons
containing neurofibrillary tangles from the cases of senile
dementia as well as the elderly controls. The adjacent normal-
appearing neurons from both groups of patients were virtually
free of detectable aluminum. These findings suggest that the
association of aluminum to Alzheimer's disease extends to the
neuronal level.26 Aluminium can be deposited in bone and the
central nervous system, particularly in patients with reduced
renal function. Because aluminium competes with calcium for
absorption, increased amounts of dietary aluminium may
contribute to the reduced skeletal mineralization (osteopenia)
observed in preterm infants and infants with growth retardation.
In very high doses, aluminium is associated with altered
function of the blood-brain barrier.27 A small percentage of
people allergic to aluminium experience contact dermatitis,
digestive disorders, vomiting or other symptoms upon contact or
ingestion of products containing aluminium (antiperspirants and
antacids). In Person without allergies, aluminium is not as toxic
as heavy metals, but there is evidence of some toxicity if it is
consumed in amounts greater than 40 mg/day per kg of body
mass.28 Long Evans rats were treated for 90 days with water-
soluble, insoluble or chelated aluminium compounds. Soluble
and chelated aluminium compounds seriously worsened the
learning ability, and the aluminium content of the brain was
elevated. Acetylcholinesterase activity increased and choline-
acetyltransferase activity decreased, resulting in a diminished
cholinergic activity, which is a characteristic of Alzheimer's
disease.29 Use of aluminium cookware, has not been shown to
lead to aluminium toxicity in general, excessive consumption of
antacids containing aluminium compounds and excessive use of
aluminiumcontaining antiperspirants provide more significant
exposure levels. Studies have shown that consumption of acidic
foods or liquids with aluminium significantly increases
aluminium absorption.30
Musleh (Corrective) as per Unani & other literature:
Roghane zard (ghee) and milk for lungs and intestine,4,18,19 Use
of Roghane sard (Cold oil), Tar ashya (wet things),4,19 Shakar
(sugar) wa Lua’baat (mucilage) for cough,3,5 women’s milk.10
According to Vedas: Sheera of coriander leaves (Coriandrum
sativum Linn.).6
Badal (Substitute): Noushadar (Ammonii chloridum),3,5,18
namke siyah (sodium chloride),3,10,18 ashkhar / khar / sajji,10
Phitkari Surkh (red alum),4,5,21 kafe darya (Cuttlefish bone).4,5
Miqdare khurak (dose): Sawa char jau,3 2 masha (2 gm),3 1
masha (1 gm),18 according to vedas: 5-10 ratti (0.625-1.250 gm),
upto 7 masha (7 gm) if necessary,3 2-4 ratti (250-500 mg),17,21
15 mg (Shagufta),5 1-5 ratti (125-625 mg) (2 gm in some special
case).14 from ten to twenty grains, it is best given conjoined with
aromatics. For external or local application, the strength may
range from four to ten grains to the ounce of fluid.12 miqdare
muqi 3 masha (3 gm).21
Murakkabat (Important Unani formulations): Dawae sozak,
habbe siyah, habbe sozak, jauhare kalan,31 jauhare naushadar,32
kuashate para,33 kuhl gule kunjad, kushate hadtal,31 kushate
murakkab, kushtae gaudanti,32 kushtae sammulfar, kushtae
sange basari, kushtae sange jarahat, kushtae seesa, kushtae
shangarf,32 majune kundur, manjan musakkin, safoofe indar
julab, safoofe Phitkari, safoofe surkh, shiyafe ahmar, shiyafe
zufra degar, sunoon zard, sunoone kalan, sunoone khas, sunoone
supari, surma muqawwie basar, susoone chob chini, tilae surkh,
zaroore bhodal kushat.31
Reported Pharmacological Activity
Anti-Hemorrhagic: Patients of malignant hemopathies who
developed cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis were
treated by continuous irrigation of the bladder with potassium
alum. Hematuria ceased with 75% success rate in the
treatment.34 In a trial of 45 patients with tonsillectomy,
Aluminium potassium sulphate (>99% pure) used as
haemostatic agent and gauze pack on the other side in the
tonsillar fossae reduced the operation time significantly (28.6%),
functioning blood loss by 19.7% and the number of ties used by
33.3% in comparison with control.35 The efficacy of alum in
intravesical irrigation was analyzed after application to 9
patients with continuous and severe Urinary bladder
haemorrhage. The bleeding Causes were radiation cystitis in 4
patients, vesicle invasion by cervical cancer in 3, bladder cancer
in 1 and cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in 1. Although alum
treatment was initially efficient for control of considerable
bladder haemorrhage in all patients, eventually it failed to check
the bleeding in 2 patients (78% success rate).36 Continuous
vesicle irrigation was performed with 1 per cent alum solution
without anaesthesia in 9 patients in whom massive bladder
haemorrhage persisted despite evacuation of clots and normal
saline irrigation for at least 24 hours. Hematuria ceased
promptly in all patients, although the effect was transient in 3.
There was no side effect observed. No alteration showed in the
histological characteristics in biopsy of the tumour subsequent
to alum irrigation. Biopsy of the normal-appearing bladder
mucosa also showed no evidence of epithelial damage.37
Antimicrobial activity: Antibacterial activity was reported of
potash alum when it is added to water, against various epidemic
causing enteric pathogens like Vibrio cholerae 01, V. cholerae
0139 and Shigella dysenteriae 1, by lowering the pH of water
(from 6.0 to 4.0). Potash alum was found to check the growth 10
(5) viable counts per ml of most of the organisms examined,
particularly V. cholera 01 and V. cholerae 0139 in a dose
dependent fashion. Reduction of colony forming units in
presence of 0.25 g/dl of alum after 5 h was observed and no

Akhtar Ali et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 8 (2), 2017
21
growth was noticed after 24 h.38 A in vitro study on efficacy and
safety of Potassium Aluminum Tetra-oxo-sulphate (Alum) in the
treatment of tuberculosis using the proportion method revealed
that at 0.003g/ml of highest concentration, Mycobacterium
tuberculosis showed resistant to the alum extract where as
Streptomycin (standard drug) inhibited the growth of M.
tuberculosis at the similar concentration. Various organ on
histological analysis displayed normal morphology with no sign
of inflammation. No significant weight difference was observed
and no any mortality recorded during the experimental process.
The histological studies revealed that at concentration used alum
was relatively safe for mammalian use, but it was insignificant
against M. tuberculosis.39
Antimicrobial activity was evaluated of crude extract prepared
from alum and clove against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. coli,
Klebsiella pneumonia. Over different concentration (10, 20, 30,
40 and 50) w/v %, by in vitro bioassay using agar well diffusion
method and minimum inhibitory concentration and the diameter
of inhibition zone were determined. It exhibited antibacterial
and growth inhibition activity of gram positive and negative
bacteria isolated from different sites of infection and the effect
was also compared with standard cefotaxime.40
Antimicrobial activity of Alum, propolis and plant aqueous
extracts at 50% concentration by well-diffusion method was
characterized by inhibition zones, the maximum inhibition zone
diameters 35mm, 40 mm were found in Salvadora persica and
alum respectively, for propolis the inhibition zone was 30 mm.41
Spermicidal activity: Spermicidal effect Viability and motility
of alum vary with different concentration of potash alum. In
case of 15% concentration the death time was 51.9% sec in case
of 10% it was 87.2 sec and in case of 5% it was 122.1sec.42
Anticariogenic effect: The anticariogenic effect of alum
containing mouth rinses by measuring the salivary S mutans
levels of children showed significant reductions in S mutans
levels in children.43 In another study children using saturated
saline rinse and alum rinse showed significant reductions in
salivary S. mutans counts after 10 and 21 days over the placebo
rinse group, the alum group showed significant difference over
the saturated saline rinse group.44
Anti-obesity effect: In Wistar rats fed on high fat diet, oral
intake of potash alum exhibited significant reduction in body
weight, food intake, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and
high density lipoproteins, whereas increased the dry weight of
feces, total lipids in feces compared to control.45
Ulcer healing activity: Randomized double-blind placebo
controlled study was done on 52 patients with recurrent
aphthous ulceration divided in 5 groups (1, 3, 5, 7 %) of alum
suspension, and placebo (applied topically four times daily for
five days). In clinical evaluation of subjective treatment
response and duration of lesion healing significant reduction
was noted in 3, 5, 7 % of alum concentrations in respect of the
time required for complete healing of the ulcer when compared
with placebo group.46
Larvicidal effect: Larvicidal potential of potash alum was
investigated on A. stephensi under laboratory conditions. Potash
alum was also found to be effective against all instar larvae. The
LC50 and LC90 value of alum among various larvae on 24
hour’ exposure ranged between 2.1 to 48.74 ppm and 15.78 to
93.11 ppm, respectively.47
DISCUSSION
Shibb-e-Yamani is a mineral origin drug, named due to its Qabiz
(astringent) property and action. It is a very ancient drug /
medicine. In nearly all the market in India Alum (potash alum)
in more or less contaminated state is sold under the name of
Phitkari (Indian name). Arabs literatures indicate that the Arab
Physicians are well known about Shibb-e-Yamani. Razi included
Alum among the types of vitriol, probably due to the similarities
in their astringent qualities and mode of occurrence. In Unani
System of Medicine the Shibb-e-Yamani is very useful and
valuable drug. It is used in various types of diseases as a dafe’
ta’ffun (antiseptic), dafe’ tape larza (antipyretic), habis-i-dam
(hemostyptic), muhallile auram (resolvent) etc.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that Shibb-e-Yamani (Alum) can be
promoted for its usefulness and utility in Unani system of
medicine owing to its reported pharmacological activity. Further
validation of other activity mentioned in Unani medicine can
also be performed in view of findings of this review.
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Cite this article as:
Akhtar Ali et al. Shibb-e-yamani (alum) a unique drug and its
utilization in Unani medicine: A physicochemical and
pharmacological review. Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm.
2017;8(2):17-22 http://dx.doi.org/10.7897/2277-4343.08255
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared
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