Baking soda has long been used as a home remedy for a variety of ailments and can also act as a natural cleanser.
Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda works as a health aid by restoring balance to the body. It is a natural substance that regulates pH levels when they become too acidic or alkaline.
The neutralizing effects from baking soda provide home remedies for everything from heartburn and upset stomach to treating inflammation and infection. When taken orally, baking soda should be used during short periods to treat acute problems. The natural compound can deplete the body of certain vitamins and minerals over time.
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For heartburn or acid indigestion, and sour or upset stomach that results from these symptoms, the
Mayo Clinic recommends adding a half teaspoon of baking soda to a half glass of water and drinking it every two hours. Dissolve the powder completely and don’t take on a full stomach.
Arm & Hammer baking soda contains 616 milligrams of sodium per half teaspoon, so consult a doctor before use if you are on a sodium-restricted diet. Although sodium bicarbonate is natural, antacids can interact with certain prescription medications.
Acid reflux is a chronic heartburn condition that causes pain in the throat and upper chest after eating certain foods or beverages. An acidic or sour taste results when fluids rise up from the esophagus.
To treat acid reflux, mix one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice in a tall glass,
says Natural News. "It will foam and fizz, so use a tall glass and wait for all bubbling to stop. Then add 8 oz. water and drink all at once. This mixture neutralizes the pH, buffers stomach acid and reduces acidosis," the website adds. This same home remedy may work to relieve thrombosis, too, according to Natural News.
Baking soda has also been used as a nasal spray for natural relief of sinus congestion. Mix a half teaspoon of baking soda and a half teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water and use a squeeze bottle to gently squirt the mixture into the nostrils, Melissa Pynnonen, an otolaryngology professor,
told U.S. News & World Report.
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Another use for baking soda is treating sunburn and canker sores by using it topically. For sunburn, "generously sprinkle baking soda into tepid bathwater,"
Dr. Frederic Haberman told Prevention magazine. Let the moisture dry on the skin after emerging from the bath instead of using a towel.
For a mouth rinse that relieves canker sores, mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a half-cup of warm water. Spit out completely after rinsing.
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