11 Baking Soda Uses & Benefits for Your Body

(Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for ARM & HAMMER)

Baking soda is 100 percent sodium bicarbonate, which can be used as a leavening agent in baked goods. When mixed with an acid, baking soda reacts, making bubbles and giving off carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to rise.

Anecdotal reports throughout history suggest that many civilizations used forms of baking soda when making bread and other foods that required rising.

In its natural form, baking soda is known as nahcolite, which is part of the natural mineral natron.

RELATED: 8 Beauty Uses For Baking Soda

Natron, which contains large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, has been used since ancient times. And many of the benefits still can be used today. Here are a few below:

1. Pedicure Provider

Just soak 1 1/2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 1/2 cups of water and put your fingers (up to the cuticles) in the mixture for 7-10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward and you’ll see the thin layers of dead skin come off. Also, after continued use, you’ll see how healthy your cuticles will look.

2. A Powerful Deodorant That Works!

Some people will just sprinkle on baking soda as a natural deodorant. For sensitive skin, try mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with water until it forms a paste then apply the paste underarms. It lasts for at least 8 – 10 hours!

3. A Super Skin Protectant

Using baking soda, you can create a natural, therapeutic treatment for your skin that protects it against conditions like eczema. It forms a natural protective layer. Here’s how:

Preparing a Tub full of Warm Bath Water:

Do not make the bathwater too hot. The temperature should be warm to the touch.
Baking Soda Bath Recipe: Add 1 cup of Baking Soda to a bathtub of between 20 = 30 gallons of water.

While Bathing:
Soak in the tub of water for approximately 10 – 15 minutes.
Rinse off with clean lukewarm water to remove all residual baking soda grit.

Post-Baking Soda Bath:

Pat the skin dry using a soft organic cotton or bamboo terry towel.
Immediately apply any topical medication and/or moisturizing emollient specially formulated for treating eczema that is chemical and fragrance-free.

Here’s a simple way to gently get rid of dead skin: Mix 3 parts of baking soda with 1 part water. Rub gently in a circular motion and then rinse clean.