7 wonderful and surprising health benefits of baking soda

Baking soda is possibly the most inexpensive health remedy in your home. Chances are you have a box in the refrigerator or under the sink to control odours. Even if you don't have it at home, you can easily find baking soda to buy.
The majority of people do not realize all of the amazing health benefits of baking soda. It can be effective at combating the common cold to cancer, or used as a mouthwash, toothpaste, or even deodorant.

Many people confuse the baking soda with baking powder, the big difference is that the baking soda contains zero aluminum. This little box will cost you around one dollar and can be used for hygiene, digestive issues, injuries, stomach pain, sore throats, and coughs. Baking soda is 100% sodium bicarbonate has been used for health purposes all the way back to ancient times.

Here are just a few of the health benefits of baking soda that you can begin to incorporate into your life:

1. Effective at Whitening Your Teeth
Take a trip to the local dentist office and you will be shocked how expensive teeth whitening procedures cost. Rather than spend so much money, you could create your own whitening solution using baking soda. This is an all-natural way to clean your teeth that is extremely affordable. Mix one cut strawberry with a half teaspoon of baking soda and spread on your teeth. Allow the mixture to stay on the teeth surface for five minutes, then begin brushing your teeth as you normally do, then rinse the mouth with warm water. If you use this mixture once a week, you will begin to notice your teeth are brighter, whiter, and cleaner longer.

2. Foot Soaking and Exfoliate
If you have not enjoyed a foot soaking at your local spa, you might be surprised to find out that this short half-hour session could cost a lot. There is no reason to dump all that money when you can relax in the comfort of your own home and treat yourself to the same procedure for pennies. Turn off the phone, turn up some relaxing music, then add three tablespoons of the baking soda to a foot basin of warm water. Mix some water with the baking soda to create a paste that you can gently rub into the feet for exfoliation. Once you have gently scrubbed the feet, place them in the warm water and close your eyes and relax for ten minutes. Your feet will feel softer and your mental health will get a huge positive boost.

3. Inexpensive Body Deodorant
One of the things that you might not be aware of is those fancy deodorants you are buying contain dangerous chemicals that are being absorbed directly into your body. Some of the aluminum in those deodorants can case a rash to the sensitive skin under the arm, and the parabens within could cause serious pain to the skin surface. Try making your deodorant with baking soda, it is inexpensive and highly effective. Look closely at the labels of many of those deodorants in the store, they rave about how they utilize baking soda as a main ingredient. Cut out the middleman and make your own deodorant by adding a few tablespoon of the baking soda to water to create the paste. Use a small brush to apply to under the arms and you will smell fresh all day.

4. Reduce Indigestion and Ulcer Pain
Many antacids you take each day to improve your gut health are packed with bicarbonates. Since that is what baking soda is, you can simply make your own antacids to help with indigestion, ulcers, and heartburn. Taking the baking soda right after a meal will help to reduce the painful symptoms that are associated with indigestion. Dissolve a half teaspoon of the baking soda in a half of glass of warm water, and drink once every two hours to help those symptoms subside. This is not a chronic treatment, it should only be for when you suffer with occasional bouts of stomach discomfort.

5. Treating Poison Ivy and Insect Bites
One great reason to take a box of baking soda with you when you are camping or spending time outdoors, is that you can combat many of the things that cause bodily pain while enjoying your time with nature. One brush up against a poison ivy plant or disturbing a bee’s nest, and your skin will definitely feel the sting. Making a paste of the baking soda and water and then applying it to the skin will help to alleviate the stinging and itching. When you have a rash from something outside, you can even rub the powder itself right on the affected area and it will begin to neutralize the irritants and toxins on the surface of the skin. This also works well on red-ant bites and stings from hornets and wasps.

6. Keeping Your Hands Clean
How many times a day are your dirty hands coming in contact with your food, your face, and even your mouth? Many people purchase expensive hand sanitizers, but are unaware of the toxic ingredients contained within that are doing more harm than good. Keeping your hands clean will help reduce the spread of diseases and can be done with the help of baking soda. Create a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water, then rub between your hands to sanitize, eliminate dirt, and neutralize odors.

7. Treating Painful Sunburn
Once you have been out in the sun too long and return home to see you have a severe sunburn, the damage is already done. Now you have to work on healing the skin and reducing that severe discomfort that you are feeling. To do this, add a half cup of the baking soda to a bathtub full of warm water. Soak in the mixture for 15 minutes and let the skin air dry, do not use a towel to wipe off the mixture. The healing power of the baking soda will reduce the stinging sensation and help to heal the skin faster so you are not suffering long.

Chances are pretty good you find it hard to believe all these health benefits of baking soda. If you are suffering from an ailment today, there is a good possibility that baking soda can provide some form of relief.