Baking soda: Household remedy for various ailments

Deepa Gupta, SNS, New Delhi, 11 October, 2016: Baking soda, the one ingredient that is commonly used in baking cakes, cookies, breads, etc, can also be used as a remarkable home remedy for various ailments and problems.

Mix half teaspoon of baking soda in one-fourth cup of water. Give your face a massage of this solution for five to ten minutes and rinse it off. It will remove all the dryness of the skin, leaving it soft and supple.

Those suffering from indigestion or pain in stomach ulcers can drink a glass of water with one teaspoon of baking soda in it.

Cold and flu can be cured by drinking half teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cool water. Take six doses of this water after every two hours the very first day. On the second day reduce the dose to four at the same interval. Take a dose in morning and one in evening the third day. If required, take only a single dose in the morning from fourth day till it gets cured.

Drink a glass of water with one teaspoon of baking soda in it for effective workouts.

Dissolve one table spoon of baking soda in half bucket of warm water. Dip your feet for 15-20 minutes and rinse. It will make your feet and toe nails soft, germ free and remove bad odour.

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda in water to make a milky paste. Apply it on skin affected by sunburn, rashes, allergy or any kind of itching. This paste can also destroy bad underarms smell.

Mix two teaspoon of baking soda in half cup of water and rub on your hands. You will find your hands soft and bacteria free after rinsing it.

Add one teaspoon of baking soda with your shampoo. Apply it on your scalp and rinse your hair. All the dirt, bacteria and oil will get removed in a go.

People fighting with cancer may have one teaspoon of sodium-bi-carb with a glass of water to better their immune system.

Make a creamy paste with one teaspoon of baking soda and little water. Gently rub this paste on your teeth and leave for five minutes. It will make your teeth sparkling white with no plaque, after rinsing your mouth.

Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in a big bowl. Dip fruits and vegetables to be consumed raw without peeling for 30 minutes. It will make them bacteria free and safe to eat.

Dip the washed clothes in baking soda water for few minutes to make them soft and germ free. One cup of baking soda is enough for a laundry load.

Add baking soda in your dish washing soap and make your utensils bacteria and oil free easily.

Oral or external use of baking soda in moderation is said to be 100 per cent safe. Excess of it may lead to side effects like nausea, diarrhea, cramps in stomach, high blood pressure and swelling, experts say. Don’t make its oral use for children below five, pregnant or lactating women, people suffering from liver or kidney disorder and high blood pressure, experts advise. If on medication, consult your doctor before its consumption.