Health and Beauty Uses For Baking Soda

Baking soda is readily available and very cheap. It has a lot of use and many people know at least some of them. There are lots of refrigerators and freezers with baking soda in them and many people use it for cleaning. However, baking soda has a lot of uses and it certainly doesn't stop with the box in the fridge. You can use it for health and beauty purposes as well!

Skin Care.
Baking soda is great for the skin. It is inexpensive and can actually replace more expensive products out there. You can use it for a variety of things, or just use it for one job. The choice is yours. However, it should be noted that baking soda is good for the skin, cleans, helps to keep it blemish free, and it is cheap!

• Facial cleanser- You can use baking soda as a facial cleanser. Get rid of the product you are using now. It is expensive and probably full of chemicals you can't even pronounce. Baking soda does all that they do, plus leaves your skin feeling soft and healthy. Take a teaspoon to a tablespoon worth of baking soda in your palm. Add a little water and mix to form a watery paste. Use your fingers to gently rub the paste over the skin of your face and neck. Rinse by splashing water on your face or using a wet wash cloth. You can do this twice a day for the start of a great cleansing routine. If you are wearing make up it is a good idea to wipe your face with a wet wash cloth and spend a few minutes removing your eye make up first.
  
• Facial mask- You can also get a lot of benefits from baking soda as a facial mask. To do this make a thick paste and apply generously to the skin. Let it dry for ten to fifteen minutes and then rinse off. Doing this once a week provides your face with a lot of benefits!
  
• Facial scrub- To make a great facial scrub that will gently remove all of your old skin cells, mix one teaspoon of salt with one teaspoon of baking soda. Add a dot of olive oil and then enough water to make it into a paste. Rub your face using your finger tips. Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse clean.
  
• Soaks- Baking soda is good for your entire body. You can add a cup of baking soda to the bath for a relaxing soak. Your muscles will relax, your body will absorb useful elements, and your skin will come out feeling super soft.
  

Hair Care.
Baking soda can also help with your hair care. It is great for getting rid of chemical build up from conditioner and styling products. It is also great for an after the pool hair treatment. A little bit added to your regular routine will have your hair looking brighter, shinier, and healthier!

• Shampoo additive- Adding a teaspoon to your shampoo will make it work more effectively at getting rid of build up. Simply mix your shampoo up, use it as normal, rinse well, and then condition. Your hair will be cleaner and will look better! This can be a part of your daily routine and won't harm your hair in any way.
  
• Rinse- Once a week or so it is a good idea to do a baking soda rinse. This will make sure that you get rid of all that build up and will keep your hair happy and healthy. To do so add one tablespoon to a cup of water and put it in a squeeze bottle or old shampoo bottle. Wash and condition your hair as normal, then use the entire bottle of baking soda water for a rinse.
  
• Dry Shampoo- On days that you can't make it through the shower, but your hair looks like it needs a washing use baking soda. Sprinkle a little on the roots and comb through. Then use your blow dryer to fluff your hair. It will absorb the oil and a lot of the dirt leaving your hair clean and fresh.
  
• After Pool Treatment- After you get out of the chlorine pool you should sprinkle your hair with baking soda. Leave it in for about fifteen minutes and then hop in the shower and wash your hair as normal. This will absorb the chemicals in the pool and keep your hair from discoloring and looking limp and lifeless.
  

Teeth and Mouth.
Baking soda was something used to keep teeth and mouths clean for a long time before more expensive products came out. It works great, is inexpensive, cleans, kills germs, eliminates odors, and whitens all while leaving the mouth fresh. If the taste is too much for you (and it is for many people) then you can mix up some baking soda with your favorite flavoring for a great taste. To do this add a few drops and mix well with a fork. Another option is to add a drop or two when you go to use the baking soda.

• Toothpaste- To use baking soda in place of your toothpaste simply wet the brush and dab into the dry baking soda. Add a drop of flavoring oil if you need to. Brush your teeth as normal, making sure you do a thorough job. This will clean, kill bacteria, and whiten your teeth all at once.
  
• Mouth rinse- To use baking soda as a mouth rinse add one to two teaspoons to a glass of water. Add any flavoring. Then swish and gargle with the water. It will leave your mouth fresh and clean!
  

Hands and Feet.
Because baking soda is so good for the skin and does wonders it is also good for the hands and feet. It can help make them soft and beautiful. In addition to that it can be used to clean nails, remove stains, and leave your nails looking great.

• Soaks- You should add two tablespoons of baking soda to some warm water in a bowl or dish. Soak your hands and or feet for fifteen minutes. This will soften it and help keep them clean. If you have normal nails then it will leave them looking great.
  
• Cleaning the Nails- If your nails need some serious cleaning or are discolored then it is a good idea to wet a nail brush and dip it into baking soda. Use this to scrub them clean and remove stains. Then rinse them well.
  

Home Remedies.
In addition to being great for many beauty remedies and keeping your skin, hair, and teeth clean and healthy it can also be used to treat a number of ailments.

• Minor Burns- Treat minor burns by making a paste or salve with baking soda and water. Apply to the burn gently and let rest. Rinse clean after it has dried. Use cold water for rinsing.
  
• Sunburn- Sunburn can be treated with baking soda water. Mix one tablespoon to one cup of water and use a cotton ball to apply to the area. Let dry. You can choose to rinse it off or leave it be till your next shower. Soaking in a cool bath with baking soda is another way to apply it and works well if the sunburn covers a large area of the body.
  
• Poison ivy, oak, or sumac- Baking soda water can be effective in treating the allergic reactions that usually happens from coming in contact with these plants. You can apply it with a cotton ball and let it dry. Rinsing is optional.
  
• Bee stings- Baking soda should be mixed with a little water to form a very thick paste. Put it on the bee sting and let it sit there. It will relieve the pain and itching.
  
• Itchy skin- Make a baking soda water and use it to treat rashes, bug bites, allergic reactions, psoriasis, and eczema. You can let it dry and rinse it off (or leave it on).
  
• Diaper rash- To treat baby's diaper rash you can add two or three tablespoons to a lukewarm bath. Let your baby soak, wash them as normal, and dry them off well.
  
• Cradle cap- Baking soda can be made into a medium paste and applied to cradle cap about an hour before bed. Let it treat the cradle cap over night and rinse off in the morning. Don't use shampoo or baby wash. Continue for as long as it takes to get rid of it. Usually this happens in five to seven days.
  
• Urinary Track Infections- You can add one to two teaspoons of baking soda to a glass of water to treat the symptoms of a urinary track infection. Often this doesn't get rid of the problem, but makes you feel more comfortable. It is still a good idea to go to the doctor to treat infections!
  
• Heartburn and Indigestion- If you are experiencing heart burn or indigestion then taking a glass of soda water (one to three teaspoons of baking soda in a glass of water) can be a great help.
  

Baking soda is a wonderful product that can be used all over the house for all sorts of great things. You can clean and take care of yourself for less. Just buy a box of baking soda and you are all set for a lot of cleaning, care, and treatment!