BAKING soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda (not to be confused with baking powder), is a standard household product that is commonly used for cleaning, baking and absorbing fridge odours. However, this regular and not-so-glamourous product has so many more effective uses – for home and body – that most people do not know about.1. Freshens your mouth2. Vegetable and fruit scrub3. Relief for heartburn, indigestion and ulcer pain4. Athletic performance5. Use as a facial scrub and body exfoliator6. Extra cleansing for hair7. Soothes your feetPlease note…

Baking soda is very effective at restoring balance in the body and the home without harsh chemicals or toxins. It is used today for a variety of purposes, which include relief for insect bites, sunburn, rashes, and even as a natural deodorant. The best part is that it is a low-cost natural agent which is gentle enough to be used regularly for many ailments.

Health supplement

Baking soda is a great health supplement that helps regulate pH naturally, keeping a substance neither too acidic, nor too alkaline. When baking soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance, its natural effect is to neutralise that pH.

A simple concoction of baking soda and water has been proven to treat specific health problems such as relieving heartburn, indigestion and ulcer pain. A friend of mine recently introduced me to starting the day with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. This is a simple yet effective way that helps to kick-start the body in an alkaline state. Maintaining a more alkaline internal environment is vital to disease prevention.

So if you haven’t tried baking soda before, here are some reasons why you might need to add it to your shopping list. Keep a box in the bathroom, kitchen cupboard, fridge, laundry area, and at work.

Reasons to use baking soda

Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, gargle, spit, and rinse. Odours are neutralised, not just covered up.

Baking soda is the food-safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruits and vegetables, especially if the produce is not organically grown. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge or food brush, scrub and rinse.

Most over-the-counter antacids contain some form of bicarbonate. Baking soda works by immediately neutralising stomach acid, which helps to relieve heartburn, indigestion and even ulcer pain.

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon in half a glass of water and take every two hours (do not take more than seven 1/2 teaspoons in 24 hours, or three 1/2 teaspoons if you’re over 60). This should be used for occasional relief and not every day, as excessive consumption can cause serious electrolyte and acid-base imbalances.

When taken before intense exercise, baking soda buffers the lactic acid that builds up in hard-working muscles, delays fatigue and enhances athletic performance.

Baking soda also has its beauty benefits when used as a facial and body scrub. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin.

Rinse clean for fresh smooth skin. This is gentle enough for daily use.

This is a really cost-effective way for keeping your hair extra clean without the harsh chemicals such as parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate found in most commercial shampoos. It will help to remove the heavy or greasy residue that styling products leave behind, leaving hair cleaner, pH balanced and more manageable.

Just sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favourite natural shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly.

Are you constantly on your feet for long periods? Or do you have to walk long distances on a regular basis?

Try this simple home remedy to soothe and revive tired feet: Dissolve three tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub and massage your feet at the same time. It works every time.

Topical/external use of baking soda is safe and non-toxic. Oral/internal use is also safe, provided you do not exceed the recommended doses, as this could upset the body’s acid-base balance.

Baking soda is best used for short periods of time in conjunction with other nutritional supports to prevent nutritional imbalances. Although sodium bicarbonate contains sodium, it does not raise blood pressure. The hypertensive effect of salt (sodium chloride) for many people comes from the combination of sodium and chloride.

Bena Nakawuki is an internationally trained and certified raw food teacher, wellness coach and editor. She is currently the only certified member of the International Association of Raw Food Coaches and Teachers in Jamaica and an ambassador for the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship Caribbean. Bena is the owner of The Lotus Line and may be contacted at TheLotusLine@gmail.com, www.facebook.com – The Lotus Line of Natural Health Products and Services, and twitter.com/TheLotusLine.