Baking soda is used in most homes for baking, refreshing the air in your refrigerator, cleaning around the house, and even in soften clothes and remove odors from your laundry. Baking soda however has more benefits than you may even realize.
Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate, bicarbonate of soda or sodium hydrogen carbonate. It is an alkaline product, with a host of uses around the home and for your health. It is very inexpensive, easy to find and worthy of a space in your pantry.
Great antacid-If you have an upset stomach from overeating or are feeling bloated baking soda is a great remedy. Simply add a half teaspoon to a glass of warm water, stir till dissolved, and sip. This neutralizes the stomach acid and allows you to burp or pass gas and that bloated feeling will dissipate quickly.
Mouthwash-Many mouthwashes contain artificial colors, flavors and other unhealthy additives. It will freshen your breath and provide antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits as well. Simply add a half teaspoon to a cup of warm water. Swish and spit as usual.
Deodorant-Baking soda is great at removing odors. Rather than using a deodorant that uses aluminum to block your pores to prevent sweating and odors, consider making your own deodorant with this recipe.
Insect Bites and Poison Ivy-Make a simple paste with baking soda and water. Apply too insect bites to help relieve itching. This is also effective for rashes that itch and poison ivy. Baking soda helps to relieve minor skin irritation and itching by neutralizing toxins and irritants on the surface of your skin.
Canker Sores-Using a baking soda mouthwash can sooth painful canker sores. Since baking soda is alkaline it can neutralize the acids in your mouth which can be very irritating on canker sores. Since it is also antibacterial this can help speed up the healing process.
Fight Bladder Infection and UTI’s-This study shares the positive effects that baking soda had on women with lower UTI symptoms. The conclusion was that it was an inexpensive way to improve symptoms, with little to no side effects. Since bacteria tends to thrive in acidic environments, creating a more alkaline environment makes it challenging for the bacteria to survive. While you should still seek the advice of your doctor, this may provide relief till you can get the doctor.
Kidney Stones– If you have a tendency towards calcium based kidney stones, baking soda may be your new best friend. This study shares baking soda’s ability to prevent kidney stones from forming.
Kidney disease-This study shared the encouraging results of baking soda’s ability to slow down the progression of kidney disease.
Reduce Cold & Flu Symptoms-My doctor shared this remedy with me quite a few years ago, which so far has worked for me, as long as it taken at the onset of a cold. Turns out they were recommended dosages from the Arm & Hammer Company for colds and influenza back in 1925.
A dose is a half teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
Day 1 – Take a dose of baking soda mixed with water, every two hours, for a total of six doses.
Day 2 – Take a dose of baking soda mixed with water, every two hours, for a total of four doses
Day 3 – Take a dose of baking soda in water, once in the morning, and once at night.
Day 4 plus – continue the above dose
Reduce Muscle Fatigue and Pain –Studies have shown health benefits of taking baking soda before exercising, saying that it can have a moderate effect on positive performance. Dr. Louise Mary Burke, shares, “It could be useful to try and support the training session to allow the athlete to train harder, but also to reduce some of the negative side effects of having a high acidity in the muscle so you may get less damage to the muscle and a better training outcome in the long-term.”
Athlete’s Foot– Add 1 tablespoon baking soda to a bowl with enough water to make a thick paste. Apply to affected area liberally. Leave the paste on the affected area for five to ten minutes, rinse and dry thoroughly. This treatment is very soothing for the affected area and helps to relieve the itching and burning associated with athlete’s foot.
Peppermint Toothpaste– 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 2 tablespoons baking soda, 10 drops of peppermint oil. Add baking soda and coconut oil to a small container, mix it until it forms a paste like consistency. Add several drops of peppermint oil and mix. Brush and rinse your teeth.
As you can see baking soda has numerous uses around the home and for your health. What’s your favorite way to use baking soda?
