Baking soda isn’t just for cakes and cleaning. It also has amazing health benefits. A box of baking soda can be purchased at the grocery store for just $1! The easy accessibility and super cheap price of it makes baking soda one of the best home remedies to keep around for a multitude of health conditions, curing everything from heartburn to insect bites, smelly odors and bacteria.
1. Natural Deodorant
A lot of people are switching to all-natural deodorants because of harmful parabens and aluminum founds in many store bought deodorants and antiperspirants, but just a pinch of baking soda mixed with water can do the job for a lot less. Mix the baking soda with water to make a paste or pat dry baking soda under your arms.
2. Insect Bites and Poison Ivy
Baking soda can help relieve itching and irritation by neutralizing toxins and irritants. All you have to do is rub dry baking soda onto your skin, or create a paste by mixing baking soda and water together.
3. Heartburn, Indigestion and Ulcer Pain
Heartburn can easily be treated with a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 glass of water. Since most over-the-counter antacids contain some form of bicarbonate, baking soda is an excellent replacement. Baking soda works by neutralizing stomach acid which will relieve any discomfort from heartburn, indigestion and even ulcer pain.
4. Foot Soak
The next time you decide to give yourself a pedicure or just plain foot soak, mix three tablespoons of baking soda into the tub of warm water. Baking soda makes a great exfoliate for your feet, as well as your face and body, too. It’s gentle enough that you can even use it every day, and a lot cheaper than most beauty products.
5. Hand Cleanser
Baking soda also makes a great hand cleanser. Just mix three parts baking soda with one part water and you have a natural hand cleanser that will clean away dirt and neutralize odors.
6. Splinter Remover
Splinters can be painful and annoying, but if you mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a small glass of water to soak the affected area in twice a day, it should come out on it’s own after a couple of days.
7. Sunburn Remedy
A bad sunburn can ruin your entire holiday. To help relieve the pain naturally, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater to soak in. When you get out make sure to air dry to let the excess baking soda remain on your body for extra relief. If the sunburn is still bothering you, mix baking soda and water and apply it directly to the sunburn.
8. Tooth Paste
A lot of tooth pastes have baking soda in it because it has a mild abrasive action that can help remove plaque and clean and deodorize your teeth. It aso has antibacterial activity that has been found to kill Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which is a significant contributor to tooth decay.
To make your own tooth and gum paste, mix six parts baking soda with one part sea salt in a blender for 30 seconds, then keep it in a container. When using the mixture just dip your index finger in the mixture and place a small amount on your teeth and gums. After you rub it on your teeth and gums, spit out the excess then let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
9. Teeth Whitener
To get whiter teeth using baking soda all you have to do is crush one ripe strawberry and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Spread the mixture onto your teeth and leave it on for five minutes. Then brush your teeth and rinse. Don’t do this more than once a week, or you could damage your tooth enamel.
Featured photo credit: Bradley P Johnson via flickr.com
