Baking soda is 100% sodium bicarbonate, which can be used as a leavening agent in baked goods. When mixed with an acid, baking soda reacts, making bubbles and giving off carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough to rise. Anecdotal reports throughout history suggest that many civilizations used forms of baking soda when making bread and other foods that required rising.
In its natural form, baking soda is known as nahcolite, which is part of the natural mineral natron. Natron, which contains large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, has been used since ancient times. And many of the benefits still can be used today. Here’s a few below:
1. Pedicure Provider
Just soak 1 1/2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 1/2 cups of water and put your fingers (up to the cuticles) in the mixture for 7-10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward and you’ll see the thin layers of dead skin come off. Also, after continued use, you’ll see how healthy your cuticles will look.
2. Deodorant That Works!
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Some people will just sprinkle on baking soda as a natural deodorant. For sensitive skin, try mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with water until it forms a paste then apply paste underarms. It lasts for at least 8 – 10 hours!
3. Exfoliate Your Skin
Here’s a simple way to gently get rid of dead skin: Mix 3 parts of baking soda to 1 part water. Rub gently in a circular motion and then rinse clean.
4. Freshen your breath
Mix 1 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water. Swish, spit, and rinse. Easy mouth wash that neutralizes odors.
5. Relieve Skin Irritation
Add a cup of baking soda to bathwater to soften your skin and relieve many skin irritations such as dry skin associated with eczema.
6. Relieve heartburn
Baking soda is a safe antacid. Add ½ teaspoon to ½ glass (4 fl. oz.) of water every 2 hours, or as directed by a physician. Dissolve completely in water — heartburn gone!
7. Relieve insect bites
Make a simple paste of water and baking soda and apply as a salve onto affected skin.
8. Feet Soother
Soaking your feet in a baking soda solution will help soothe and soften tired feet. Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda into a small tub of warm water and soak.
9. Sunburn Remedy
Add ½ cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater, then soak in the tub for natural relief. When you get out, let your skin air dry, rather than toweling off the excess baking soda, for extra relief. You can also add a mixture of baking soda and water to a cool compress and apply it to the sunburn directly.
10. Keep your brushes and combs clean
Baking soda is great to help naturally remove oils, build up, and residue on your combs and brushes. Simply soak in a solution of water and baking soda (about 1 tsp of baking soda to a cup of water). Rinse and dry thoroughly.
11. Fruit and Vegetable Scrub
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse.
