Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, one of the most popular food additives, is actually a salt composed of sodium and bicarbonate ions. Thanks to its leavening properties, it’s mostly used in baking and also in cleaning or as an odor absorbent, but what you may not have considered are its health purposes. Educate yourself now about this useful natural product that can be used as a replacement for environmental pollutants found in cleaning and personal care products.
- Natural toothpaste
As it’s rich in beneficial properties that help clean, polish and whiten your teeth and to remove the plaque, it’s commonly used as an alternative to commercial toothpaste. Another plus is its characteristic of an odor neutralizer which will provide your mouth with a fresh breath.
- Natural deodorant
As mentioned above, baking soda has an odor neutralizer property, so some people use as a replacement for a harsh deodorant filled with parabens and aluminum. Still, go easy on it if you have sensitive skin, as its alkaline substances might irritate your skin.
- Natural exfoliator
The baking soda’s abrasive texture helps in exfoliating the dead skin cells and creating smoother skin. But if you choose this type of exfoliation, be careful not to exaggerate with its use since its acidic neutrality may unbalance the skin’s acid mantle. It’s not recommended to use it more than once a week.
- Sunburn remedy
For relieving sunburns, mix a half-cup of baking soda with cool water and apply it on the burnt skin for about 15 minutes. Then wash it off with cool water. You can also mix it with milk, honey, yogurt, etc.
- Indigestion remedy
The properties of baking soda immediately neutralize the stomach acid and relieve painful intestinal gas. Stirring up a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water will do.
- Insect bites/stings remedy
Make a paste mixing baking soda with water and simply apply it to the insect bites in order to relieve itching. It helps with minor skin irritations including itchy rashes and poison ivy.
- Kidney disease treatment
Low functioning kidneys have troubles removing the acid from the body. Baking soda’s alkaline property can prevent and even reverse the chronic kidney failure.
- Heartburn treatment
As we have mentioned before, baking soda neutralizes the stomach acid, so it’s commonly used as a heartburn reliever. However, it should not be used as a chronic treatment, but only occasionally. Also, in order not to disturb the electrolyte and acid balance, use only a small amount.
- Cough, cold, flu treatment
Sodium bicarbonate’s alkalizing effects is believed to provide the body with better disease prevention. Following the recipe from 1924 by Dr. Cheney, you should use half a teaspoon mixed with water during a 3-day period (day 1 – 6 times a day; day 2 – 4 times a day; day 3 – once in the morning, once in the evening).
- Inflammation treatment
Alkalizing effect helps the body in reducing inflammation. Baking soda almost instantly relieves inflammation. Inflammatory reactions consist of acid properties which are neutralized by bicarbonate ions.
Nessie L.B.