Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has been used in making bread for thousand of years. Besides being used for culinary purposes, it has several other benefits. Most notably, baking soda has played an integral in the world of medicine. It has a wide range of health benefits.
Shall we look at some of the benefits?
11 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Your Health
You can get baking soda in virtually all stores. It is quite affordable. You can use it to treat various issues and improve your overall health:
- Natural Deodorant
Instead of using the expensive, chemical-laden commercial deodorants, you can use baking soda to prevent sweating. Simply brush baking soda under your arms and on your feet. You’ll neutralize the unpleasant smell of your sweat.
- Insect Bites and Poison Ivy
Mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply the paste directly on the insect bite to stop the itching. You can also use baking soda to treat poison ivy rashes.
- Indigestion, heartburn, and Ulcer Pain
Add a half teaspoon of baking soda to a half glass of water. Drink the solution every two hours. This will effectively treat indigestion, heartburn, stomach acid, as well as ulcer pain.
- Foot Soak and Exfoliator
Soak your feet in a mixture of three tablespoons of baking soda and warm water. Alternatively, make some paste and scrub your feet wth it.
- Relaxing Soak
Mix baking soda with apple cider vinegar. This is a great soak-in bath. Once you’re done, leave it for some time to clean the bathtub too.
- Hand Cleanser
Mix baking soda with water (ratio 3:1). Clean your hands with the solution. It will eliminate dirt and unpleasant smells.
- Splinter removal
Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a small glass of water. Apply the solution on the affected area, twice a day. The splinter should disappear in a few days.
- Sunburn Treatment
In a bathtub with lukewarm water, add a half cup of baking soda. Then, lie in the tub to treat serious sunburns. Alternatively, dip a towel in the solution and apply it directly on the affected areas.
- Improved Sports Performance
Baking soda capsules are an effective energy booster for athletes. Researchers had this to say:
“Essentially, sodium bicarbonate is an alkali substance that increases the pH of the blood. This seems to reduce and offset the acidity produced in the muscles during intense, anaerobic exercise that produces lactic acid most quickly, such as fast running or swimming.”
- Tooth and Gum Paste
You can use baking soda for teeth hygiene. According to one study:
Baking soda “enhanced plaque removal effectiveness of tooth brushing to a significantly greater extent” than the traditional toothpaste brushing.
Namely, baking soda is effective in removing oral bacteria such as the Streptococcus mutans. Mix baking soda and sea salt in the ratio 6:1. Pulse the mixture in a blender for about 30 seconds before transferring it to a tube. To clean your gums, massage a little amount of the mixture on your gums using the index finger.
Leave the paste on for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse your mouth. Don’t overuse the remedy, lest you damage your gums and teeth.
- Teeth whitener
Mix a half teaspoon of baking soda with a ripe strawberry. Apply it on your teeth and leave it on for about 5 minutes. Then, brush and rinse your teeth well. Use a ripe strawberry and combine it with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Apply on your teeth and let it act for five minutes. You should do this only once a week. Doing it often may damage your teeth enamel.