You probably use baking soda at home for cleaning and baking. Good news: it has health perks too!
Cool down heartburn
Heartburn is that painful burning sensation in the upper part of your stomach that can spread up into your throat. It starts when acid rises into your oesophagus (the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth). This can happen if you eat too much, feel stressed or eat spicy foods. Baking soda can help treat heartburn by neutralising stomach acid.
– Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and sip slowly. –
Keep your mouth bacteria free
Mouthwash is important in your oral hygiene routine. It reaches places of your teeth, gums and tongue that a toothbrush can’t. You can use baking soda as a replacement mouthwash instead of the expensive ones from the shops. Baking soda has antibacterial properties which will help freshen your breath and get rid of bacteria.
– Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water. Swish it around your mouth and spit. –
Treat urinary tract infections
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system like the kidneys, bladder or urethra. Women are more likely than men to suffer from these. These kinds of infections cause burning when you urinate. Studies have found that baking soda can help to neutralise the acid in urine when you have a UTI. This allows the body to deal with the bacteria that caused the infection on its own.
– To use baking soda for UTI, dissolve half to one teaspoon of baking soda in water and drink it on an empty stomach. –
Whiten your chompers
If you’d like to whiten your teeth, look no further than baking soda. It has mild cleaning powers that help get rid of stains on your teeth. Don’t use this method more than once a week though, as baking soda may damage the outside layer of your teeth.
– Mix baking soda with water or lemon juice until it’s a paste. Dab it on your toothbrush and brush for two minutes. Rinse your mouth thoroughly and follow by brushing with toothpaste and then flossing. –
Freshen up
Make your own deodorant! It’s natural, free from excessive chemicals, and can be a cheaper alternative to those you buy in the store.
– Mix a teaspoon of baking soda added to water to create a milky baking soda paste. Rub it under your arms or feet to stay fresh. –
Relieve itchy skin
If you suffer from skin allergy rashes, baking soda can help.
– Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water to make a paste and apply it to the affected areas. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse well. Use this method as often as needed. –
Banish bug bites
Many over-the-counter creams for bites have baking soda, as it helps relieve itching and swelling from insect bites.
– Create a paste with a teaspoon of baking soda and water. Use it at least three times a day until your bites heal. –
Get rid of flakes
Remove dry skin from your face by using baking soda as an exfoliant.
– Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with half a cup of water and rub it on your face in a circular motion, then rinse. Don’t do this too often as baking soda could upset the pH balance of your skin. –
Remove splinters
Splinters can be painful – and difficult to remove.
– Soak the splinter area in a mix of a tablespoon of baking soda and warm water. Try this twice a day and it should eventually come out by itself. –
Calm sunburn
Treat fragile sunburned skin by soaking in baking soda and water.
– Add half a cup of baking soda to a warm (not hot) bath and immerse in the mixture. You can also try mixing some baking soda in your body lotion to calm any sunburn. –