Alum Cove

Erin advises anyone who wants to go on a neat hike where the  youngest will be entertained to choose Alum Cove near Deer, AR. Astrid, Laura and Sigrid went there Sunday and enjoyed the sights. The hike is not long. Sister Fleta should take Robert and Hannah, Erin hints, but hurry she said before the snakes start to crawl. Sister Helen would like it she said!
From internet site for Arkansas Parks--
Outstanding among the many natural features of the Ozark Natural Forest is the huge stone arch that forms a natural bridge at Alum Cove National Recreation Trail. The natural arch is all that remains of what was a quartz sandstone cave. The arch is 130 feet long and 20 feet wide. The weathering process of wind, rain and ice formed the opening between the arch and the rock overhang.
The Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area is designed primarily for visitors to be close to nature. The area offers picnic facilities and the Alum Cove National Recreation Trail for your enjoyment. This looping trail wanders past the natural arch, across a small stream and to the trip hike for 0.4 miles to view the arch.
Exercise caution while hiking along the bluff line. Early settlers reportedly used this arch to move their wagons and livestock across the stream bed during wet weather. Water and wind also shaped other interesting rock formations along the bluff line across the cove, including the cave (or "rooms" as they are often called) or overhangs.  Native Americans used these rock overhangs for shelter while on extended hunting trips. At one time, free-roaming goats inhabited the caves, giving the formations the local name, "goat houses."

 There are lots of caves and insets.  Most popular is the natural bridge below.

Of course those who know me know I am very curious.  Why Alum Cove?  Well, I am sure alum was mined there at one then.  Did you ever use alum to make pickles?  Granny Renfroe told me to soak the cucumbers overnight in alum water and they would be very crispy!  Laura said it was used as a poultice in wound care.  It is used to make baking powder,   Used in deodorants.  

More abut alum--
1. ALUM FOR CANKER SORES:

                                     Usually for canker sores, a small piece of alum is powdered and then a pinch of  that alum powder is pressed over the canker sore. It stings for a while, but by the next day, usually the person is relieved of canker sores. But many don't like to use the alum powder as such and young children will find it hard to bear the burn caused due to alum powder. This homemade alum mouth rinse is good way to use alum to get rid of mouth sores. To make the rinse, powder alum in a mortar and pestle. Boil water in a pan along with little salt, once the salt has dissolved remove from the heat and stir in the alum powder. Once the alum has dissolved, strain and use it as a mouth rinse at least 2 to 3 times a day. Salt is also very effective in treating canker sores and this mouth rinse can be safely used by both young and old. If you are using the raw alum powder, make sure not to swallow it while applying over the canker sore and use only a tiny bit.

2. ALUM FOR EYE ABSCESS:
                             
                            Alum is wonderful for treating eye abscess. One of my relatives who taught me the remedy has been using it for eye abscess for quite some time. For treating abscess, rub alum on a sandalwood stone along with little water. You have to rub it nicely to get a paste, as it doesn't rub into a paste easily. This paste is very effective and it stings initially, when applied. But the boil breaks on the same day it is applied, giving one a good relief from eye abscess. In India, you can find this stone pretty easily. This stone can be stored for years and used.

3. ALUM FOR CRACKED HEELS:
                                 
                                        Alum powder is very useful in treating cracked heels. For this remedy alum is heated in a small empty kadai. When we heat alum, it liquifies and foams. Once all the water evaporates, we are left with a crumbly mixture. Once it cools down, it is powdered and mixed with coconut oil and applied on the legs. The mixture should be ground smoothly, else it will be difficult to apply it on the heels. This remedy gives amazingly good relief, if applied regularly for some time.

4.ALUM FOR SHAVING:
                       
                           Alum has been used as an after shave treatment for centuries. Once you start using alum, you will get rid of all the expensive after shaves. For the first time, you might not like it, but if you continue to use it, you will find positive improvement in you skin tone. To use, after shaving, rub a piece of alum block over the wet face for few seconds. You can either wash it off or leave it on the skin.

5.ALUM FOR WATER PURIFICATION:
                   
                                      Alum is amazing for water treatment. To purify the muddy water, powder alum and add about 1 gm of alum powder for every liter of muddy water. You will find the muddy particles settling down, leaving you with clear water. Next time you go on a camping trip, take a small block of alum with you.

6.ALUM AS A DEODORANT:

                              Alum is wonderful as a deodorant due to it's antiseptic and anti bacterial properties. To make the deodorant, powder alum along with little myrhh and use it as dusting powder, or you could simply wet an alum block and use it. However it is advised to use it every other day instead of every day.

7.ALUM FOR HAIR REMOVAL:
             
                                   Alum can be effectively used for body hair removal for women. A mixture of alum powder and water or better still rosewater can be applied all over the body. This paste tends to retard the body hair growth over time.

8.ALUM FOR WRINKLES:

                   Alum can be effectively used for wrinkles. Take a piece of alum and wet it in water. Rub it on your damp face for few seconds. Alum tends to tighten the skin. Wash your face in water and apply moisturizer.

9. ALUM FOR PIMPLES:

                     Alum can be effectively used for treating pimples. A face pack made with egg whites, powdered alum and fullers earth is very effective in treating acne.

10. ALUM FOR LICE TREATMENT:
                 
                           Alum can be used effectively to get rid of hair lice. To make the lice treatment, powdered alum is mixed in water along with little tea tree oil. This mixture when applied on the scalp for some time, helps to get rid of lice.

And more....
Alum is the name generally given to two common salts: potassium aluminum phosphate and ammonium aluminum sulphate. In its naturally occurring state, the substance has been used for more than 2,000 years in a wide variety of applications. Before the beginning of the 20th century, it was routinely manufactured and used for pickling, canning, tanning leather, and baking. From then on, its use in food processing gradually decreased because of safety concerns over its side effects. Professionals in the fields of medicine and health care, however, still frequently use it to treat injuries and disease.

In medicine, alum is regularly employed as an astringent to shrink tissues and reduce the discharge of bodily fluids, as a styptic to contract organic tissues and stop or reduce hemorrhage and bleeding, and as an emetic agent to induce vomiting when someone has ingested poison. It is also often used to enhance certain vaccines and to prevent or treat infections. Veterinarians typically advise pet owners to apply the powdered version to animal cuts caused by improper nail trimming as a way to stop bleeding.

 Below are my two favs !