AMAZING SODA PROPERTIES AND ITS USES
What do we know about baking soda. Useful properties of soda and its application
INNA CODRU , NOVEMBER 20, 2018
Everyone is familiar with baking soda. Many people keep it in a small box inside their refrigerators, which is supposed to absorb bad smells. Or the baking soda on the kitchen shelf that we use to bake our favorite muffins and brownies. Let's pay attention to the beneficial properties of soda, not only in the kitchen, but also beyond.
From time to time we use it as a cleanser to scrub away stains on our kitchen counter or our precious pots and pans. Surprisingly, there are many more uses for this ingredient than we are used to. While baking soda is widely known as a baking powder in cooking, baking soda also has great health and beauty benefits. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is an inexpensive product, but it is a product that can provide many more benefits than we can imagine.
To begin, here are some of the benefits:
- It has powerful anti-acid properties.
- Baking soda is an excellent alkalizing agent.
- It has excellent antiseptic properties.
- This is an amazing exfoliator.
- Soda is used as a leavening agent in baked goods.
Baking soda, in its natural form, is called nahcolite. This mineral, one might say, is related to the anciently known mineral natron, which has been used by people for many centuries. The Egyptians, for example, used natron as a soap for its cleansing properties. Over time, natron was modified slightly to produce sodium bicarbonate, which we know today as baking soda. It's safe to assume that most of us use baking soda in many ways, and not just as a baking powder. Soda is also widely used as:
- Natural deodorant.
- Hand cleanser.
- Toothpaste.
- Teeth whitener.
- Cleanser.
While baking soda has all of these great properties, it does come with some limitations and precautions, especially when used for cooking. First, soda should only be consumed in small amounts. If taken too often, baking soda can impair some of the body's general functions by adjusting the body's natural pH levels, which can unnecessarily reduce acid levels in the digestive tract. And this decrease can adversely affect the functioning of the entire system of the human body.
Baking soda has proven health benefits and yet it is very affordable. Read on to learn more about this humble ingredient and how it can be used at home in more than one way.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT BADDING SODA
For those who have no idea what baking soda is, other than the obvious use for baking soda, there are a lot of questions they can ask. What is baking soda? Is she organic? Mineral or chemical origin? Nowadays, to get answers to such questions, you just need to type "baking soda" in Yandex or Google, and everyone will have access to a lot of information about soda.
To begin with, the chemical name for baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. It is white and solid, although it may be sold as a white powder or as small crystals. The taste is slightly salty. In the US, most baking soda comes from Wyoming. In fact, a quarter of the world's soda production comes from this place.
Throne ores mined in Wyoming go through some chemical processing to create baking soda. The ore is first heated until it turns into soda ash. This ash is further processed using carbon dioxide to produce sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. One can only imagine how much baking soda is produced in Wyoming, given that this product is supplied from here, to almost the entire civilized world!
Not all forms of baking soda are created in laboratories. In fact, it has been produced in various forms over the past thousands of years. The Egyptians mined soda and used it as a cleaning agent. Today, it can still be mined naturally from the earth as nahcolite. This form does not require any chemical reactions, nothing is changed in it and nothing is added to it.
Nahcolite is the purest form of baking soda that nature itself produces. The next time you go to the store where you usually buy your baking soda, read the labels on the package carefully. It should say "natural baking soda" or the product is processed, but without the use of chemicals.
Which soda to choose will depend on how you plan to use it. If it's for cleaning the sink, tub, or toilet, then buy cheaper "chemically created" baking soda. However, if you're going to use it for personal care or baking purposes, go for natural baking soda. It may be a little more expensive, but in terms of health, this is the best choice.
As we mentioned earlier, baking soda isn't just for baking and fluffy baked goods. In fact, baking soda is almost suitable for just about anything. Let's take a look at some amazing uses for baking soda:
Baking soda is a great exfoliator
If you rub some baking soda between your fingers, you will feel its abrasive texture. This is what makes it an excellent exfoliator, as it can help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, which in turn allows the epidermis to replace old cells with new ones. And this new layer will already give the skin a look of purity and freshness. The procedure is simple. Just add baking soda to water and wash your face with it in circular motions. Do this only twice a week.
Soda is a natural antacid and alkalizing agent.
Acid reflux, or the reflux of digestive juices from the stomach into the esophagus, is becoming one of the most frustrating disorders these days, especially for the elderly. This is a condition in which acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus. This action certainly irritates the esophagus, causing heartburn, a burning sensation that can occur between the abdomen and throat. The baking soda here will act as a neutralizer against stomach acid. This will relieve many of the symptoms of acid reflux and some other stomach related problems.
Baking soda can act as a natural alkalizing agent. Being a non-toxic chemical, it can be used to reduce acid exposure and inflammation in the body. It can also be used to treat many other ailments.
Baking soda is the best natural remedy for regulating the pH level in the body, which will help improve overall health. If a person has an excess of acids in the body, then this can lead to various diseases, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and others.
Baking Soda Helps Relieve Cold and Flu Symptoms
Colds and flu are the most common diseases affecting people of all ages around the world. The best prevention of these diseases is considered to be good medical care and a healthy diet. Choose foods rich in nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
If a person does get the flu or a cold, they can use baking soda to rinse their nose. Making such a wash solution is very simple. Just mix in a glass of warm water, one teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of sea salt. This solution will help cleanse the nasal mucosa from pathogenic bacteria. Repeat this wash 2-3 times a day.
Soda helps relieve muscle fatigue
When a person is actively involved in sports or doing a lot of physical work, the body releases lactic acid, which tends to accumulate in the joints and muscles. This accumulation causes muscle fatigue and reduces joint mobility. You can avoid such uncomfortable conditions by simply consuming baking soda diluted in water. The recipe is simple - For every 10 kg of your weight, you need 120 ml of pure water and 3 grams of soda. For taste, you can add a little lemon juice.
Helps relieve itching from wasp and bee stings
Baking soda has anti-itch properties. This is a real "anti-itch" 😃 remedy that many people use to treat most insect bites. Just make a paste by mixing water and baking soda and then apply this paste on the affected area.
Being stung by bees or wasps can be an unpleasant experience, often accompanied by swelling and pain. Again, baking soda can come to the rescue. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply this paste to the affected area to reduce swelling and ease pain.
Soda makes life easier for your kidneys
Since baking soda is an alkaline compound, it can be used to reduce acid levels in the body. Which, as a result, can help maintain pH levels. One study stated that there was an improvement in kidney function in patients who took baking soda as opposed to patients who did not.
Another health benefit of baking soda is to help those who have kidney stones. This is another common ailment that affects many people, although some of these cases can be attributed to a genetic predisposition.
There are different types of kidney stones, including cystine stones, calcium stones, uric acid stones, and more. Typically, small kidney stones can pass through the urethra causing significant pain. However, large ones can cause very severe pain. Baking soda can help in reducing the formation of kidney stones by removing the material that causes them. However, before using soda in this way, consult your doctor.
Baking Soda Helps Keep Breath Fresh
There are several reasons why people get bad breath, the most common of which is the presence of bacteria in the mouth. Baking soda has been used for years as an instant solution to this annoying problem.
Simply mix a teaspoon of salt with baking soda in a glass of water and rinse your mouth. This method has been proven to work effectively in restoring and maintaining fresh breath. Simply rinse your mouth with this solution every morning to ensure that all those food-eating bacteria in your mouth are completely eliminated.
Baking soda is a great alternative to deodorant
Read the labels of famous antiperspirants and deodorants and you will find that they contain some type of paraben and aluminum as active ingredients, even though these ingredients are not always suitable for regular use.
Aluminum is increasingly being linked to cancer, but most users don't think about it, blindly using advertised antiperspirants every day. Baking soda can be a healthy alternative. In fact, some brands are already using it as an active ingredient in their products.
It's true that baking soda doesn't have some super flavor that makes certain foods more appealing, but it's effective in eliminating odors and reducing the presence of bacteria in sweat. But it is these bacteria that cause this unpleasant smell of sweat. If baking soda can get rid of odors, then use it. It is so simple. Start with a few tests at home. Just rub some baking soda on your armpits on the weekend and watch. If you're happy with the results, it's time to switch from relatively expensive deodorants to an inexpensive yet effective alternative.
Helps with insect bites
Insect bites are annoying. They tend to itch, and they itch until the bite looks like a big red mark on the skin. From time to time, bites can also lead to swelling, and this only worsens their condition. But don't worry too much, baking soda is there to save your skin.
Simply make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area. Let it dry, then wash it off with plain water. As an experiment, you can combine baking soda with cornstarch and oatmeal. This combination is a soothing balm for itchy skin as it can give you some much needed relief.
For those who have more sensitive skin to insect bites, such as mosquitoes and mosquitoes, the bite site may tend to grow into large red rashes in the area of the bite. And here, baking soda paste can still fix the situation. Apply the paste to the affected area. This will minimize the redness, while at the same time it will help soothe the itching as well. Leave the paste overnight, under a bandage, for best results. In the morning you can look at the effect of the application, it can pleasantly surprise you.
Baking soda works as an excellent emollient.
An emollient is actually a drug that softens the skin, and baking soda has this property. Emollients are usually applied to the soles of the feet and the inside of the hands to get that soft and smooth skin. Mix baking soda with a little water to create a fairly thick mixture. Rub this paste in a circular motion on the desired areas of the skin, leave it there for half an hour, then rinse. The effect will be very pleasant.
Baking soda can give the body energy
Baking soda mixed with lemon juice will not only revitalize the body but also help fight chronic diseases. The preparation of such a mixture is simple. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the juice of one lemon diluted in a glass of water and let sit overnight. Drink the mixture early the next morning. This will give you energy for the whole day. BUT (!) Be careful if you suffer from high blood pressure or have some kind of kidney disease, in which case daily consumption of baking soda is not recommended.
Baking Soda Helps Soothe Some Skin Problems
Many of us probably enjoy sunbathing, but no one likes to "burn out" and get sunburned. This is especially true for those who live in hot countries. Sunburn can be excruciatingly painful. It may take several days or even weeks for a complete cure. Baking soda will not speed up the healing process, but it will certainly help with the symptoms because it has a gentle and soothing effect on the burned areas of the skin.
Prepare a warm bath, add some baking soda to it and let it settle in there for a while😃. If a person has psoriasis flare-ups, this bath may also help. Soak in the bath for 15-20 minutes. After the bath, there is no need to rinse the body, because the soda will serve as an excellent protective layer.
Baking soda can also act as an anti-inflammatory, and using it can do wonders for soothing irritated skin. Simply mix one part baking soda with three parts water and apply directly to the affected area. Let it work for a few minutes, then wash it off with cold water. If itching occurs all over your body, simply prepare a bath, add a tablespoon of baking soda, and soak in the bath for ten minutes. Do this every day until the skin is completely healed.
Baking Soda May Help Relieve Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that occurs in any part of the urinary tract. Which includes the urethra, kidneys and bladder. When people come across a UTI, they usually turn to antibiotics, not knowing that such powerful drugs can weaken the body, not to mention the side effects.
How about trying baking soda? Definitely, baking soda helps to neutralize acid in a person's urine and helps in detoxifying the kidneys. These actions will help stop the infection from getting worse. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water and then drink it on an empty stomach. If you don't see any improvement, be sure to see your doctor.
Baking Soda Helps Heal Mouth Sores
Mouth ulcers are tiny, annoying sores that form on the gum lines or on the inside of the lips, areas that are very tender. These tiny pests can be extremely painful and can take days or even weeks to heal if you don't use anything to speed them up. Well, almost nothing.
Applying a simple baking soda paste to these sores can greatly speed up the healing process, as the baking soda paste can minimize bacterial contamination in the mouth. In addition, this type of contamination can make any damage to the oral mucosa very painful, more extensive, and even delay the healing period. The baking soda paste applied will help kill these bacteria and protect the thin membranes in your mouth from further injury. Apply this paste several times throughout the day. Saliva will gradually wash the paste out of your mouth.
Soda can be used for diapers or diapers
For babies, diapers and diapers have always been and will be used. Even adults are no exception to the number of diaper customers, so they too can suffer from chafing between the legs. All this causes quite a noticeable pain, but relief can be obtained, again, thanks to the use of baking soda paste, which can be prepared at home. Many of the over-the-counter medications already contain baking soda as one of the active ingredients. This can be seen from the sandy structure of these drugs. Just apply the paste on the affected areas overnight. In the morning, a person will feel like new.
In addition to everything that we have listed, soda is great for some health problems and, of course, for skin and hair care. Read about it in the NEXT ARTICLE .