Sodium Bicarbonate or Bicardbonate of Soda or simply Baking Soda, it is one of the safest and most versatile substances around.
Derived from a natural occurring mineral, it is primarily used in cooking, where it reacts with other components to release carbon dioxide, that helps dough rise. But the use of baking soda goes far beyond baking, as it is a natural remedy with a long list of health benefits and an endless list of uses.
The best part is that baking soda is easily found, cheap, natural and safe. Taken internally, baking soda can help maintain the pH balance in your bloodstream.
This is likely the basic premise behind its recommended uses against both colds and influenza symptoms, and even cancer.
Due to its chemical and physical properties, sodium bicarbonate has unique medicinal capabilities that every healthcare practitioner, doctor and patient needs to know about.
Although the list of homemade remedies and cures prepared with baking soda is endless, we decided to share 10 of them just to show you how effective can baking soda be in fighting different health problems.
We are certain this list will make you do a research on all the uses of baking soda so you will too consider it a miracle product.
1. Treating Colds and the Flue
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Dr. Volney S. Cheney discovered a fascinating fact about taking baking soda in the time of the Spanish flue epidemic in 1918. The thing was that people who took baking soda rarely contracted the disease and even if when they did their symptoms were mild. The recommended way to take baking soda for treating cold or the flue is:
Day 1: Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, every 2 hours – 6 dosages total.
Day 2: Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, every 2 hours – 4 dosages total.
Day 3: Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, once in the morning and in the evening – 2 dosages total.
Day 4+: Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, once each morning until cold is cured.
2. Splinter Removal Remedy
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Removing a splinter with a needle and tweezers can be really uncomfortable, even painful so this little trick will definitely come handy, especially if children are in question. You won’t believe how easy it is to remove a splinter with baking soda. No. 1 rule is to not squeeze it. Just clean and dry the spot with soap and water. Now make a baking soda paste by mixing water with about 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. It should be thick. Apply the paste on a bandage and apply the bandage on to the affected area. Remove it after 24 hours and the splinter will be sticking out so you can easily remove it. This baking soda paste can be also used for treating insect bites and itchy skin.
3. Heartburn Relief Remedy
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Million people suffer from heartburn and there are many remedies to use in order to treat this unpleasant condition. Baking soda is being used as a natural, home remedy for acid reflux. It is actually a very quick cure that can help to treat heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach. If you dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water, it can neutralize acid and temporarily alleviate heartburn caused by acid reflux.
4. Treat Bladder Infections
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Bladder infections are so hard to treat and are so unpleasant and common. It is bacteria that causes these infections and we know how bacteria love slightly acidic environments. This makes the bladder a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. But there is a natural way to treat bladder infections and it is actually a very simple one. It involves drinking baking soda and water on daily basis until the infection is gone. You can start with half a teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of water and increase/decrease the dosage according your needs. Baking soda also helps against candida yeast. Douche with a mixture of 1 tbs. mixed with warm water to get rid of this stubborn bacteria and stop itching.
5. Homemade Cure for Poison Ivy
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Tangling with poison ivy can be really dangerous (and itchy!) and if you have no doctor available you can treat it with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Mix a small amount of vinegar with enough baking soda to make a paste with the consistency of peanut butter. Stand in the shower and wet yourself all over. Using a wet washrag scrub the paste all over yourself as hard as possible. As itchy you may be, this will actually feel comfortable so don’t worry. When done, rinse off. Dry your self and apply straight vinegar all over your body with a clean washcloth. Let dry. Do this for a couple of days, until the itch is totally gone.
6. Sunburn and Skin Irritations Remedy
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Baking soda can really sooth your pain from sunburn or other skin irritations like insect bites for example. Add ½ cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater, then soak in the tub for natural relief. Or simply add a mixture of baking soda and water to a cool compress and apply it to the sunburn directly. For insect bites mix water and soda until you get a thick paste and simply apply on the affected area.
7. Teeth Whitening Remedy
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Baking soda is widely known as an all natural teeth whitening remedy. It is inexpensive and easy to use. Simply sprinkle a little on your toothbrush; brush and rinse as usual. You can also prepare a baking soda toothpaste by mixing some with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Baking soda can also be used for freshening of your mouth – just put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit and rinse. Mix baking soda with water and gargle several times a day to protect your tooth enamel.
8. Body Odor Neutralizer
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Did you know you can make an all natural homemade deodorant with baking soda? Neutralizing unpleasant body odor has never been easier and budget friendly. To prepare the baking soda deodorant mix 2 ounces of pure aluminum-free baking soda, 2 ounces of cornstarch and 5 tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Tea tree oil is a great choice!
9. Treat Pimples and Blackheads
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To treat pimples prepare a baking soda mask by mixing it with a little bit of warm water. When done, apply it on your face and massage gently. Let it soak for an hour and rinse. You will be amazed by the decrease of the inflammation of the pimples. For blackheads use baking soda paste (mix baking soda with a very small amount of warm water). Apply it to blackheads, let it dry for 10 minutes then rinse. This way clogged pores will be cleaned. Repeat up to once every other day for best results.
10. Gout Remedy
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Baking soda is a common gout remedy. All you need to do is to add half a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it to your glass of water around 250ml making sure it is entirely dissolved in the water, then take it 4 times a day and insuring you drink a glass right before going to bed. This is because the body is known to be more acidic during the night and this is why many gout attacks happen between midnight and dawn. The remedy is one that goes back to the 19th century, whereby a British doctor by the name Alfred Garrod had discovered that the trick to treating gout was to alkalize the blood, protecting against gout by keeping uric acid diluted in the urine.
