Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a powerhouse ingredient that you should definitely always keep in your home. Available readily, usually in the baking section of your local supermarket, it offers countless natural benefits and uses. Here is a small collection of the most interesting ways to use it to improve your health, as a beauty aid, clean your home, and many more.
Consuming Baking Soda for Natural Health Care
Mix ½ tsp of baking soda, the juice of 1 lemon (or apple cider vinegar) and warm water together and drink every morning on an empty stomach.
Weight loss - Helps rid the body of excess fat without any side effects. Due to its strong alkaline properties, baking soda aids in the absorption of healthy nutrients in the body and the burning of fat.
Destroys cancer cells, without destroying the healthy ones. Mix with fresh, organic Lemon Juice for added benefit. Regulates blood pressure Reduces stress Balances pH levels Reduces inflammation Eases discomfort caused by urinary tract infections Eases gastrointestinal issues including bloatedness and flatulence. Performance and energy booster Powerful antacid - Relieves Heartburn Make a paste of baking soda and warm water to help soothe irritation and itching caused by chickenpox, stings and insect bites.
Applying Baking Soda for Natural Beauty Enhancement
Mouth Freshener – Mix one tsp of baking soda into a half glass of water. Gargle for at least 30 seconds before spitting out the solution. It helps remove bad breath, fight gingivitis, clean teeth and dental prosthesis, treats cold sores and cracked corners of the mouth, removes stains and prevents the build up of dental plaque. Facial scrub - Make a paste of 3 parts of baking soda to 1 part of water. Rub on your skin in a circular motion. Rinse it off with cool water. Great for removing blackheads and pimples, soothing irritation caused by shaving and whitening the skin.
Eliminate body odour –Apply baking soda to your armpits to neutralise odours caused by bacteria from perspiration.
Soothe your feet - Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in warm water and soak your feet for at least 10 minutes.
Hair Care - Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in glass of warm water and massage into hair and scalp as a natural shampoo alternative which is very effective for relieving dandruff and removing chemical build up from regular hair care products.
Nail Care – Make a paste and massage into nails and cuticles. Will whiten the nails and soften the cuticles.
HOUSEHOLD USES FOR BAKING SODA Laundry - Dissolve baking soda in water and use directly on the clothes or in the washing machine to remove collar stains, cuff stains, ink stains, grease stains, wine and fruits stains; yellow stains from underwear and clothes. Softens the clothes and eliminates odours. Boosts the performance of detergents.
Oven cleaning - Spray a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice and water into the oven and let it act overnight. In the morning, just wipe away residue. Removing Odours - Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge and microwave to absorb odours. Sprinkle on mattresses, garbage bins, inside smelly shoes and suitcases. After a while, brush or vacuum up. Clean sponges – Soak sponges and dish cloths in a solution of baking soda and hot water. Polish silverware – Prepare a paste with 3 parts of baking soda to 1 part of water. Rub the paste onto silverware by using a clean cloth, then rinse thoroughly.
Longer lasting flowers – You can keep cut flowers fresh for a longer period if you add one tsp. baking soda to the water in the vase.
Clean shoes –Make a paste of baking soda and water. Then apply it on the shoes, rub with a sponge to remove the dirt, and wipe off
Cleaning chopping boards - Sprinkle cutting boards with baking soda, wash and rinse to remove odours and disinfect.
Remove insecticides - Fill your sink with water and add 1/2 cup of baking soda. Then wash fruits and veggies in the water to safely remove insecticides.
Make fluffier omelettes and pancakes - Add half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used. Add to mash potatoes.
Remove stains - including ink, crayon, coffee and tea, grease.
Cleans metals, glass, plastic and wicker furniture. Removes rust.
Repel bugs - Sprinkle some baking soda on window sills and under sinks to get rid of cockroaches and ants.
USING BAKING SODA OUTDOORS
Rejuvenate the greenery - Mix 1 tsp. of baking soda, 1 tsp. of Epsom salt, and 1/2 tsp. of clear ammonia in a gallon of water. Spray on your shrubs. Sweeten tomatoes - Sprinkle some baking soda in the soil surrounding your tomato plants to give them a sweeter flavour. Deodorize cars - Get rid of odours from your car by sprinkling baking soda onto seats and carpets. Allow the baking soda to act for 20 minutes before vacuuming. Remove oil stains from garage floors - Wet the area and scour with baking soda and a scrubbing brush. Use baking soda to remove weeds in the lawn
Use it as natural insecticide and fungicide.
