Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has many beneficial properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial. It is naturally in a fine powder form. Baking soda has been found to have favorable effects against oral and skin issues and even colds.

Nevertheless, always bear in mind not to use it excessively to avoid irritating your skin, hair or gums. Baking soda has numerous benefits and a wide range of uses, some of which being the following:

1. Teeth Whitening

Baking soda is a popular mean of teeth bleaching, so you can use it to brighten your teeth and eliminate plaque and yellow stains. One alternative is to use it by simply mixing it with your toothpaste on your toothbrush and brush your teeth in the regular way for 2 minutes.

On the other hand, you can also prepare your own homemade whitening concoction. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 4 tablespoons of turmeric root and 3 tablespooons of extra-virgin coconut oil. This treatment can be done once in one day or multiple days. Too much baking soda can harm to your teeth since it can actually break down their natural enamel, so try not to overdo it daily.

2.Improving Complexion

Baking soda successfully removes the dead skin cells and balances the skin’s pH level which is imperative for clearer and healthier skin, so it is more than welcome for your skin complexion. One effective treatment can be made by preparing a face paste.

Mix filtered rose water and 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Apply this paste on the face and let it sit for a minute. Then rub it off using your fingertips and then wash your face thoroughly with lukewarm water. The treatment can be done once or twice weekly.

Another effective way to improve your complexion is to do the following procedure 2 or 3 times a week: mix lemon juice and 4-5 extra virgin olive oil and put it on your face and letting it sit for five minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

3. Alleviate Skin Rashes or Irritations

If you are suffering from a skin disorder, rashes, itchy or irritated skin, you can reduce the inflammation using baking soda. It also possesses anti- inflammatory properties, so it can alleviate swellings and itching as well.

If you have itching all over your body, try a bathtub soak instead. Use 1 cup of baking soda in a cool water tub and let yourself soak it up for 10 minutes a day.

To prepare a combination and treat a specific irritated area, make a 1:3 ratio mixture of water and baking soda. This mixture is applied on the problematic area, and left to act for several minutes. Wash it off with cool water.this treatment can be done regularly.

In case your skin is seriously damaged or irritated, avoid baking soda in order to prevent flare ups.

4. Elimination of Hair Oil and Stench

Baking soda has alkaline properties so it balances pH levels. Therefore, it can be used to clean the scalp.

You can simply use your regular shampoo bottle and add a teaspoon of baking soda to it. Wash your hair with the mixture 1 or 2 times a week.

Feel the great effects of baking soda for your hair by combining equal parts of cornstarch and baking soda, sprinkling it to the roots of your hair. Tousle it around and then brush your hair with a high quality hairbrush.

In order to treat oils and bad odor in dirty hair, do the following treatment twice a month: prepare a 1:3 ratio mixture of baking soda and water. Apply this to damp hair and let it soak for five minutes and then rinse.

5. Relieve Sunburns

Baking soda can help relieve burning and itching by calming the irritated skin, so use it when you have sunburns or blisters from a really bad sunburn. It has drying and antiseptic properties, so it can be used to dry up the blisters fast.

One way to use baking soda in these cases is to fill a bathtub with water, add a half of a cup of baking soda to the bath, and mix it well. Next, sit in the baking soda bath for 10-15 minutes. Pat your body dry or even air dry. You can do this once a day for a few days until the sunburn disappears or you find relief.

This treatment is also quick and easy to make: mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with cold water, then dip a washcloth into the mixture and wring it out so the excess isn’t sopping. The washcloth is applied to the affected area, and left for 5 or 10 minutes. The procedure can be repeated a few times during the day, until you feel the relieving effect.

6.Combat Acne and Zits

Not only for the face and skin, baking soda has also its positive effects in the treatment of acne. Simply mix a little baking soda with a teaspoon of water and make a paste. Apply the paste and let it sit on the affected area for 1 or 2 minutes. Next, wash your face with cold water to remove the paste.

The treatment can be done 2 or 3 days. Then, continue doing it once or twice a week for maintenance.

7. Nail Fungus

The removal of fungus on the nails can be a difficult task. However, if you have baking soda at hand, you are saved once more.

For your fingernails or toenails, you can prepare a homemade beneficial mixture. Use warm water combined with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda and apply it directly onto the nails, letting it set for a couple of minutes. Rinse this paste off with warm water and continue to do this one time each day.

Prepare another baking soda concoction by mixing 1 cup of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and mix in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Soak your toenails in the concoction for five minutes and afterwards, pat them dry. The procedure can be done twice a day.

8.Get rid of Dandruff

To get rid of dandruff, you need to maintain a healthy pH level on the scalp, so it is not too dry or too oily. One option is to combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with fresh lemon juice and apply it directly to the scalp. Let this sit on your scalp for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. This procedure can be done once a week.

Another method is to apply one teaspoon of baking soda onto already wet hair, making sure you get it to the scalp. Let the baking soda to act for 1 minute and then thoroughly rinse it out. This treatment can also be done once per week.

9.Eliminate Stains or Nail Discoloration

Since baking soda is good in teeth whitening, you might conclude that it has bleaching properties. However, baking soda also possesses exfoliating qualities, which make it excellent for eliminating stains.

In order to treat yellow or stained nails, use 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 ½ tablespoons of baking soda to make a paste. Use this to apply to your nails with a cotton swab. The treatment can be done every two months.

Another beneficial treatment can be done by mixing a half of a cup of water with 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide and a tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl. Soak your nails for 2-3 minutes in the mixture. Repeat once every two weeks to help eliminate stains.

10.Eliminate Body Odor

Baking soda absorbs sweat and moisture from the skin and thus lessens the unpleasant body odor. You can use it by mixing equal parts of cornstarch and baking soda and applying the mixture directly into your armpits to eliminate bad odor and prevent perspiration.

Alternatively, you can prepare a mixture of few drops of any essential oil, 1 tablespoon of water and an 1/8 of a teaspoon of baking soda. Apply the mixture to the skin with a cotton ball.

Source: www.healthyfoodteam.com