6 Baking Soda Remedies For Acidity, Insect Bite, Deodorant

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD
Baking soda is Sodium bicarbonate, also called soda carb. It helps to keep our refrigerators odor-free, used used for cleaning and removing stains too. Being an antibacterial agent, it helps to kill the bacteria that cause body odor.

Baking soda is a popular ingredient in toothpastes and mouth washes. This is because it has been shown to enhance plaque removal.

It is a good carminative, digestive, anti flatulent, antacid properties. Hence it is used in several minor ill-health conditions like  stomach pain, indigestion, bloating (gas), cough, sore throat, urinary tract infection, muscle pain, fatigue, dry skin etc.

Home remedies

In Ayurveda system of medicine  also this is used in several formulation .
Few simple and effective home remedies of soda card are –

Deodorant

1. Baking soda paste as deodorant:
One teaspoon of baking soda is mixed with 30 ml of water and a thick milky paste is made. This is rubbed to under underarms or even on the feet. This serves as a deodorant.

Softening hands

2. Baking soda water solution for cleaning and softening the hands:
Baking soda is taken (10 gram) and dissolved in warm water (1 litre). In this water the palm or feet is kept for soaking for 3 – 5 minutes. This natural scrub will help the hands and sole to keep clean and soft.

Hair cleanser

3. Baking powder as Hair cleanser:
One teaspoon of baking soda is added to shampoo and rubbed on hair. This helps to remove dirt and oil/greasiness, or residue that is left over from hair care products.

Tooth whitener

4. Soda bicarbonate as tooth whitener:
The fine paste of baking soda is applied/ rubbed on to the teeth and left as it is for 2-3 minutes. Mouth is rinsed properly. This helps to keep the teeth white and clean without tartar.
Note: This should not be practiced very often and once in a week it can be carried. Because excessive use could potentially damage the tooth enamel and gums.
Read related: Ayurvedic Remedies and Treatment for Dental Plaque And Tartar

Antacid

5. Soda water as an antacid:
1-2 gram of soda powder is added to 200 ml water and dissolved (according to ones liking slight salt and sugar can also be added). This can be taken in a dose of 2 – 3 tablespoons in cases like Acid peptic disorders, gaseous distension of abdomen, regurgitation, fullness of the abdomen, mild abdominal pain, indigestion etc.
Even this can be taken by adding little lemon juice too.

Insect bite

6. Baking soda powder for insect bite:
In cases of insect bite, scorpion sting, centipede bite etc baking soda has unique role. As an emergency and first aid medicament, baking soda and water are taken and is dissolved or thick paste is made. This is applied to the bite area or the bitten part is kept on soaking in this. Adding borax powder and turmeric powder to this solution will further accelerate the action of this home remedy. Burning is pacified immediately by this.

Baking soda is not only for bake; but to make instant medicines too.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD