If you are a baker, you would know what kind of wonder ingredient baking soda is. But if you are not (or are, it doesn’t matter), don’t make the mistake of thinking that baking soda is only used just as a rising agent. Little do we know that this overly underestimated food has astonishing aids pertaining to your health. We can actually go through a never-ending parade of baking soda health benefits, varying from curing sore throats and cough to preventing stomach and digestive issues.
The ingredient is quite inexpensive and uncomplicated and could be found in most homes. However, we aren’t aware of its therapeutic values. Let me tell you the many amazing health benefits of baking soda and how can we use it as a remedial ingredient.
Did you know what Copper can do to us? Read How Using Copper Utensils in Daily Life Will Make You Healthy
What Is Baking Soda? What is it made of? How Does It Work?
Baking soda contains only one ingredient, Sodium Bicarbonate. Sodium Carbonate is highly reactive with acids. Its main activity is to help neutralize the pH in a substance, making it neither too acidic nor too alkaline.
Its chemical properties include;
- It is non flammable
- It is basic in nature
- It is non – explosive
- It is an odourless crystalline solid
- It melts at 50° C
So, while cooking, when baking soda contacts or mixes with acids like lemon, yoghurt, buttermilk or vinegar, it reacts and produces carbon dioxide gas (hence the bubble you see) and thus helps the dough to rise.
It is a naturally found element in living beings for pH regulation. It is also called as Nahcolite, a crucial element of natron mineral. Natron is used since ancient period as a soother, cleanser and deodoriser.
Also read: How to Clean Your Kidneys Naturally + 1 Ingredient Life-changing Recipe
Miraculous Health Benefits of Baking Soda; Reasons to Consume Baking Soda
Baking soda is although used regularly in cleaning and removing stains, there are many significant health benefits associated to it. Some of the common health benefits of baking soda include;
- Reduces stomach acidity and neutralizes acid content
- Eases stomach ache
- Acts as an anti-acid and help treat indigestion, gas, bloating and upset stomach
- Kills mould growth, fungal infection and parasites
- Helps treat sour throat, cough, cold and flu
- Reduces the risk of gout
- Improves health of kidney
- Helps treat urinary tract infection
- Eliminates sore muscle pain and fatigue
- It is also used in ear drops and cosmetics, acts as an efficient organic pesticide and is a reliable element in fire extinguishers
Baking Soda and Lemon Water– A Brilliant Combination for Cancer
If one thing you can do every day that brilliantly fight diseases, increase your energy and relieve symptoms including but not limited to arthritis, indigestion, heart burn and various infection, then baking soda in lemon water should be on your agenda.
Baking soda and lemon can be definitely termed as self-healing element. Together they produce anti-carcinogenic and anti- microbial properties as lemon contain limonoides, a phytochemical. Learn Why We Should Drink Warm Lemon Water in the Morning
However, baking soda and lemon water is one of the understated remedial measures for various types of CANCER prevention. Studies state that cancer cells cannot thrive when our bodies’ pH is in perfect balance. This baking soda and lemon tonic will definitely ward off cancer cells;
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. good quality and aluminium free baking soda
- Juice of half lemon
- 8 ounces of purified water
Method
- Mix the ingredients all together and drink the concoction first thing in the morning before your breakfast.
- Make this your daily morning ritual. Here’s How to Detox your Body with Warm Lemon Water (+11 Recipes)
21 Health Remedies with Baking Soda
Hair, Face, Skin and Teeth
1) Hair Cleaning
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo to remove dirt, oil and chemical residues from using hair products.
2) Exfoliator
Make a paste of a teaspoon of baking soda in half cup of water. Rub it on your face in circular motion and rinse with cold water.
3) Sunburn
Add half cup of baking soda in warm bath water or mix baking soda in your body lotion to relieve from sunburns.
4) Skin Softener and Whitener
Mix baking soda and warm water and apply the paste on hands and feet to soften the skin and remove dirt and odour.
5) Pedicure
Remove bacteria, toenail fungal growth and odour by soaking your feet in warm water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda for half an hour.
6) Deodorant
Make a fine paste of baking soda and water, and rub under your arms and other sweat producing areas. Rinse off with warm water.
7) Itchy Skin and Bug Bites
If your skin is irritated due to sunburn, allergic rashes, mouth ulcers, insect bites or is affected by poison ivy then rub a fine paste made from 1 teaspoon baking soda and water on the affected areas and wash. Repeat it twice a day.
8) Toothpaste
Baking soda is an effective plague remover. It also keeps your breath fresh for longer hours. Hence, mixing baking soda with your tooth paste 3 times a week will do the trick. However, don’t apply soda directly on your teeth. It will wear away the enamel.
Interesting read: 35 Strange Health Benefits of Onions & Remedies for Whatever Ails You
9) Teeth Whitener
Gently rub your teeth with baking soda and water paste for 5 minutes once a week and get healthy pearl white teeth. Make sure you don’t brush; only rub.
10) Nail Whitener
Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub it on your nails for whiter and fairer nails.
11) Make Up Brush and Hair Comb
Keep your make up brushes and combs clean from harmful chemicals, odour free and infection free by making a paste of 2 tbsp. of baking soda and water and rubbing it on the products before rinsing.
12) Wood Splinters
Soak your affected area in warm water that has 1 tbsp. of baking soda in it. Repeat it twice a day until the splinter comes of naturally.
Also Read 25 Miraculous Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Personal Hygiene
For Vigorous Internal Health
13) Body Immunity
pH imbalance may trigger acidic tumours and growth of unhealthy organisms which may later damage blood cells, tissues and organs by compromising the immune system.
Drinking a glass of lemon water with one teaspoon of baking soda will help strengthen your immune system.
14) Heartburn
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in 250 ml of water and drink the solution to soothe your heartburns.
15) Indigestion
Drink a cup of water mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda after an hour of your meal.
16) Acidity
You can add 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon raw and organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of plain water and drink 1 hour after each meal to reduce acidity.
17) Kidney Function
Low functioning kidneys find it hard to remove acid from our body and hence consuming a teaspoon of baking soda with water will help maintain perfect pH level and buffer acid in our body effectively.
18) Boost Energy
Baking soda boosts your body metabolism efficiently by absorbing the lactic acid. Drinking soda and water concoction will prevent fatigue and enhance your workout sessions and athletic performances.
19) Ulcer Pain
Drink a tall glass of water with 2 teaspoon of baking soda in it, twice a day, to eradicate ulcer symptoms.
20) Urinary Tract Infection
Drinking basic soda and water regularly will help your body overcome urinary tract infections. The sodium bicarbonate eliminates the acid in your urine healthily.
21) Inflammation
Baking soda and lemon water tonic (mentioned above) will prevent inflammation that’s associated with Gout where uric acid builds up in joints, tissues, blood and urine.
22) Cold, Flu and Sore Throat
Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink 6 times in the first day, 4 times in the second day and only in the mornings from day 3 till the symptoms are gone.
When You Are Not Supposed To Consume Baking Soda
Although there are a versatile health benefits if baking soda, and there is no substitute to it, one has to be careful in consuming under certain conditions including;
- Limit its consumption to as prescribed for each ailment
- If you are suffering from high BP, kidney disease, edema or liver disease
- If you are under prescribed drugs
- If you are pregnant and nursing
- When you just had a meal (full stomach)
- Children under 5 years
Relevant Post: What Not To Eat When Pregnant – The Complete List
If you are already taking some treatment make sure you ask your doctor before trying out any of the above internal organ remedies. However, baking soda is as safe as consuming water. If you come across any important health remedy that involves baking soda, do let us know in comments.