by R. R. Fritz

Created on: July 22, 2009   Last Updated: July 23, 2009

15 USES FOR BAKING SODA FOR YOUR HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Baking soda is an inexpensive and indispensable item to keep not only in your pantry, but also in your health and beauty arsenal. Here are just a few ways that you can use this household staple to help you be your best.

For Face:

- Mix a little Baking Soda in with your regular facial cleanser for natural exfoliation.

- To keep blackheads at bay, mix a little hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and use it as a scrub.

For Hair:

- If you don't have time to wash your hair, baking soda can be used as a dry shampoo. Sprinkle some on your hairbrush and run it through your hair. It will absorb excess oils and dirt.

- To clean oily hair or hair that has a buildup of styling products, add to 1 teaspoon of baking soda to your daily shampoo and use as you normally would.

Hands and Feet:

- Apply a little baking soda to a nail brush to clean your finger and toe nails and soften cuticles.

- Use baking soda with water to remove paint or marker ink from your hands.

- To keep your hands soft when washing dishes, put 1 teaspoon baking soda into the water.

- To remove odors like onions or garlic from your hands, wash your hands with baking soda and water.

- For sore feet: Put one cup baking soda in the tub and fill with warm water. Soak your feet. You can also put baking soda in shoes to keep your feet odor free.

For Teeth:

- Wet your toothbrush and dip in baking soda for natural tooth cleaning and breath freshening. Add a little hydrogen peroxide for a natural teeth whitener. It can also be used to clean dentures.

For Skin Rashes and Irritation:

- Sunburn or Windburn: Put 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of cool water, soak a towel in the mixture and put it on the affected areas.

- For mosquito or other bug bites as well as bee, wasp and hornet stings, make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water and put it on the bite.

- For other rashes including poison ivy or oak and heat rash, put one cup baking soda in a warm tub of water and soak. For more severely affected areas, make a 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water paste.

For Health:

- If you've eaten too much greasy food or have an upset stomach, heartburn or acid indigestion, put 1 teaspoon baking soda in glass of warm water and drink.

- To help avoid getting gas from beans, when soaking the beans, add a teaspoon of baking soda.

Baking soda, the magic white powder in your kitchen can be your best kept secret beauty weapon. Inexpensive and natural, consider using it to make you feel and look your best every day.

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