Baking Soda for Your Health

In its natural form, baking soda is known as nahcolite, which is part of the natural mineral natron. Natron, which contains large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, has been used since ancient times. Nowadays the terms sodium bicarbonate and baking soda are interchangeable.

Baking soda has many uses. Bakers might use it as a leavening agent which causes batters to rise when baked. It has many cleaning applications (Ex: scrubbing your barbecue grill). It can be used to smother out the flames on a small grease fire around your stove top. But some of its greatest benefits are for our health.

I’ve read many articles that claim you should only purchase baking soda labeled aluminum free. But I’ve also read many articles that state that aluminum can only be found in baking powder, not baking soda. So not knowing who or what to believe, I always buy the one labeled aluminum free, just to be on the safe side.

As I’ve written about in previous articles, baking soda makes an excellent all-natural toothpaste. While there are many concoctions to choose from, the simplest one that I’ve used is a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and coconut oil. Studies have shown that coconut oil destroys the bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Baking soda is a very mild abrasive which aids in cleaning and whitening teeth, and restoring pH balance. You can optionally add a few drops of peppermint oil for a fresh breath.

An ideal deodorant can be made by mixing just a pinch of baking soda and water. (Or it can be brushed on dry). This is much better for you than those commercial deodorants, eliminating more chemicals and other baddies you don’t need in your system (such as aluminum, parabens, triclsoan, etc.).

Epsom Salt baths are not only great to relax in and soothe sore muscles, they are also used to rid the body of harmful toxins. And just as importantly, these salts replenish the body’s magnesium levels and sulfates. Magnesium helps to improve blood flow and oxygenation throughout the body. Sulfates are necessary building blocks for healthy joints, skin and nervous tissue. Baking soda baths (dissolve about 4 cups in very hot bath water) are good for detoxifying your body from alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and medications.

Acid reflux is a stomach disorder in which stomach acids and food are regurgitated into the esophagus, therefore causing a burning pain sensation in the lower chest. It is important that you prevent damage to your esophagus. The neutralizing properties of baking soda make it an ideal remedy for this condition. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water and allow the baking soda to neutralizing properties of baking soda make it an ideal remedy for this condition. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water and allow the baking soda to dissolve into the water completely. Drink two times a day. Be sure to seek medical attention if the symptoms persist.

Warts, moles and skin tags can easily be removed with a baking soda and coconut oil paste. Apply twice a day to the problem area and keep it covered to prevent it from drying out. One to two weeks should produce results.

You can make your own facial scrub/body exfoliate. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean to complete. This is gentle enough to use every day.

When washing your hair, include a palm full of baking soda with your shampoo and wash and rinse as usual. This will help to remove the residue that shampoos and other styling products leave behind to help make your hair cleaner and more manageable.

Even your dog can reap its benefits. If your furry friend ever has a bad odour emitting from him/her, just sprinkle it with baking soda, massage and brush it out. It’s completely safe for your pet and much easier than trying to give it a bath.

Perhaps the most impressive use of baking soda has been discovered by Dr. Tullio Simoncini. A former medical doctor from Italy, he has been persecuted in his own country due to his work with baking soda to treat cancer. Quoting from his website: www.curenaturalicancro.com/en “The fundamental theory behind this treatment lies in the fact that, despite a number of variable factors, the formation and spreading of tumors is simply the result of the presence of a fungus. Sodium bicarbonate, unlike other anti-fungal remedies to which the fungus can become immune, is extremely diffusible and retains its ability to penetrate the tumor, due to the speed at which the sodium bicarbonate disintegrates the tumor. This speed makes fungi’s adaptability impossible, rendering it defenseless”. His website also states, “My methods have cured people for 20 years. Many of my patients recovered completely from cancer, even in cases where official oncology had given up”.

Here are a few more uses of baking soda that may indirectly benefit your health, just by reducing the amount of chemicals in your household.

• Give your laundry a boost by adding ½ cup of baking soda to the wash to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher and brighter.
• Sprinkle baking soda down the drain, then add apple cider vinegar and let it bubble for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. This is a safer alternative to dangerous drain cleaners.
• Baking soda is a natural carpet cleaner. Sprinkle it onto carpets, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.
• Make a paste of baking soda and water and use it to scrub away grime from your shower and bath. Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of ¼ cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight and scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.
• Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I don’t have any medical training. I am just an individual that researches information that other people have studied and proven to be effective, and I just pass that information on to you.