Thread: You'll never guess what I found @ Indian grocer

There's a large Indian grocery a couple blocks away from my GF's place. I like to go there for my produce & things like Lentils. The other day, the GF & I were poking around the areas of the store we've never examined & made a couple extraordinary finds.

First, they sell alum blocks for $1 (this is not a typo). As far as I can tell, it's the same exact alum shave vendors sell for $15.

Next, I wanted to try an aftershave balm recipe I read about: 6 parts aloe vera gel, 1 part witch hazel. Guess what the Indian grocery had? Giant Aloe leaves, over 2 feet long & 3 inches wide at the base, for $2 each. (Side note: I'm very pleased with the balm, though it should be noted that the aloe meat must be pureed in a blender, and the concoction must be stored in the refrigerator, and it must be applied liberally).

So if there's an Indian grocery in your neck of the woods, I recommend calling them & asking if they carry alum and aloe vera.

Originally Posted by Johnny J

There's a large Indian grocery a couple blocks away
....
First, they sell alum blocks for $1 (this is not a typo). As far as I can tell, it's the same exact alum shave vendors sell for $15.
.....
I recommend calling them & asking if they carry alum and aloe vera.

There are two types of alum if I recall.
Potassium and Ammonium alum.
One is better than the other for shaving use.

Well four:

• 6 Types of alum
• 6.1 Potash alum
• 6.2 Soda alum
• 6.3 Ammonium alum
• 6.4 Chrome alum

Alum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For a buck I would buy one just to try it.
Good find.

Out here in the West, aloe plants grow all over the place (or the can)...heck, I rented a place once that had a bunch of plant out front of the apartment. We used to go out and whack off a leaf and directly apply the juice as required. Only thing about aloe directly from the plant is that it is reeeaallly slimey, like wiping yourself with snot.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

There are two types of alum if I recall.
Potassium and Ammonium alum.
One is better than the other for shaving use.

Label says "shaving alum," dunno if that means anything. I used it & I can't tell the difference between that & the $15 stuff.

@Red, yes it's exactly like snot! Once it's pureed & mixed w/the witch hazel it becomes much more liquid.

Originally Posted by red96ta

We used to go out and whack off a leaf and directly apply the juice as required. Only thing about aloe directly from the plant is that it is reeeaallly slimey, like wiping yourself with snot.

Its actually better that way. I had a bunch growing around. Would take a knife cut off a piece and slice it. Just rub it in for a second and it dries like water though a little gooey at first.

Way better than any aloe cream/balm/lotion. It just feels like water and instantly has effects. Nothing better for a sunburn.

You should also keep an eye out for creams and such--Indian creams have good reputations, esp. Godrej and old Spice, and they are cheap to boot.