When most people think of baking soda, they think of that little orange box in the fridge. Or the salty tasting stuff that makes baked goods soft and fluffy. But many don’t know that you can actually use baking soda for better health.
In this latest edition of Remedies From the Kitchen, baking soda is the star. Let’s talk about all the ways you can use baking soda for better health!
Baking soda for better gut health
Sometimes the pH in our gut gets out of whack. This can cause heartburn and indigestion. In addition to taking herbal bitters, you can also very easily take baking soda to ease heartburn and indigestion.
If you have heartburn, taking a small amount of baking soda in water can be very effective. Baking soda has a pH of 9, so it helps neutralize excess acid in the gut. This helps immediately relieve symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.
It’s usually recommended to take 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water to soothe heartburn symptoms.
Baking soda can also help ease ulcer pain. Excess stomach acid can aggravate the pain of ulcers. Since baking soda reduces the acidity in the stomach, it will immediately help ease the pain of ulcers. For this remedy, more baking soda is needed. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a glass of water.
Baking soda for better kidney health
Another way to use baking soda for better health is to boost kidney health. It buffers the acids in the body and keeps pH levels balanced. Kidneys have a hard time removing acidic waste. Thus, a higher pH in the body will help improve the detoxification properties of the kidneys.
Our bodies greatly benefit from an alkaline diet. Most of us, though, don’t eat enough alkaline foods. Many Americans’ diet consists of far too many acids, like sugars and grains. This makes for sluggish detoxification through the kidneys.
Baking soda can also be used to treat urinary tract infections. It helps heal the kidneys by allowing better function, and eases pain by reducing the acidity of the urine.
Baking soda to fight colds and flu
One of the most interesting ways to use baking soda for better health is to use it to fight viruses. Baking soda has been used for over a hundred years to fight cold and flu symptoms. Since colds and flu thrive in an acidic environment, alkalizing your body with baking soda can help shorten their duration.
To use baking soda to ease cold and flu symptoms:
- On day 1, take 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of water at 2 hour intervals, for a total of 6 doses.
- On day 2, take 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of water at 3 hour intervals, for a total of 4 doses.
- On day 3, take 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of water both morning and night, for a total of 2 doses.
- Days 4 to end of symptoms, take 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of water in the morning.
Baking soda for better skin health
While it’s not recommended for daily or frequent use, baking soda can be helpful for skin health. It’s a good exfoliator, and can buffer the pH of the skin. Baking soda can also help loosen pores, allowing for easier removal of blackheads and pimples.
Baking soda can help get rid of pimples, and ease the itch associated with eczema or psoriasis. Putting baking soda in a bath can help relieve itchiness from poison ivy, chicken pox, and even hemorrhoids. A paste of baking soda and water can help remove the itch from bee stings and mosquito bites.
For powerful anti-itch benefits, consider adding 1 cup of ground oatmeal and 1 cup of baking soda to a warm bath. Soak for at least 15 minutes.
Baking soda is also beneficial for sunburns. Its cooling and alkaline properties help to ease the pain and itch of sunburn.
Baking soda is also anti-fungal, so it is helpful for candida, yeast infections, and toenail fungus. Bathing in it, or doing foot soaks, is the best way to treat these infections.
Baking soda for better oral health
Baking soda is great for oral health. It cleans teeth without chemicals, whitens teeth, and kills bacteria that causes bad breath and gingivitis. You can put baking soda directly on your toothbrush and use it like a tooth powder. Or, you could use it as a mouthwash. Either way, it alkalizes the mouth, which makes it inhospitable to bacterial growth.
A word of caution, though, baking soda as a tooth powder can be rough on enamel. If you have sensitive teeth due to enamel loss, you might want to avoid this method. A mouthwash with baking soda should be fine, though.
Warnings
Baking soda can be good for a lot of people, but there are some that shouldn’t take it internally. Since baking soda has a lot of sodium, people with high blood pressure shouldn’t take it. Those with liver disease or edema also shouldn’t take it.
Baking soda hasn’t been tested enough during pregnancy and breastfeeding to determine if it’s safe to use. Thus, it should be avoided by pregnant or nursing women.
No one should consume more than 3 1/2 teaspoons per day of baking soda. If you are under a doctor’s care and take medications, consult a doctor for any contraindications.
Baking soda for better health
Simple baking soda from your pantry can be a powerful ally to good health. Use it with caution, though, as too much can be detrimental.
Have you used baking soda for health? What is your favorite way of using it?
