Baking Soda
Health Benefits

Baking Soda Health Benefits: Natural Remedies & Cleaning Tips

| Modified on May 02, 2024
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Broad Benefits
Posted by LorenP (Henderson, Nevada USA) on 06/14/2009
★★★★★

For constipation and relief of muscle and knee pain, I take half a teaspoon of baking soda when I get up in the night to void. It produces results soon after getting up for the day, muscle pains are much less and after doing this for several days my knee pain is gone. There is no happiness like an empty rectum. I'm 82.

Skin
Posted by Ttecha (Montego Bay, Jamaica) on 02/01/2008
★★★★★

Hi, I read the caveat that Baking Soda can deplete vitamins in the body. Recently, I started using it to clean my face instead of using soap. I use about 1 tablespoon full mixed and apply it directly to my wet face twice per day. Is this safe? I have combination skin but no matter what I used, my face would become very dry and tight after cleansing. Then I would have to moisturize which makes my skin very very oily afterwards. The baking soda seems to be helping with this problem. Thanks!

Alkalizing pH
Posted by Petey (Random Lake, Wi, Usa) on 12/02/2015

Be advised that baking soda, no matter what kind, does NOT have aluminum in it. However, baking POWDER does.


Basal Cell Carcinoma
Posted by Barbara (New Zealand) on 03/14/2016
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I was recently found to have BASAL CELL CARCINOMA on my nose. The day before Christmas 2015 had a biopsy which showed cancer cells. I treated it 50-50 with baking soda and coconut oil daily, covered with a small plaster.

Each evening, I cleansed it with APPLE CIDER vinegar and applied an antibiotic cream to promote healing.

Febuary 15th 2016 had a piece removed for testing and there was no CANCER there. Unfortunately, the hole left in the side of my nose is now being reconstructed, Hopefully worth the pain to prove it worked.

Acid Reflux
Posted by Shotzie (Lynchburg, Va) on 04/05/2010
★★★★★

Last night I had such an attack of gastric acid reflux I thought I was going to have a heart attack and die. I am not exaggerating. I tried everything ice, tums, milk.... Then I went on line and googled your site. I tried the baking soda 1/4 tsp in 8 oz of water and what a difference. WOW I am singing your praises today. Did sleep upright in the recliner finally got some sleep. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Why hasn't a doctor told me this before? Today I do have some chest congestion ( I think I got some acid in my lungs) but what a difference. I have bookmarked your site and will be here again. Thanks so much!!!

Allergies
Posted by Rhonda (Ny) on 04/25/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I started suffering from allergies as an adult.

This season, allergies hit me about six weeks ago. Every year I go to the doctor. Every year she says the same thing: "This year is going to be the worst year when it comes to allergies." I get prescribed the same medicine, which doesn't relieve me of the the symptoms.

This year, I suffered the normal symptoms. Stuffing noise, tearing eyes, excessive coughing and a lot of phlegm.

Last week I started drinking about 4 ounces of luke warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda (sodium bicarb). All of the above systems have stopped. I haven't felt this good in weeks.


Baking Soda Details
Posted by Peter (Eden, Nsw Australia) on 01/05/2011
★★★★★

In my own case or personal experience.

For the last 20 years I have suffered from reflux or upset stomach. Many doctors have prescribed reflux medication, some helped but nothing fixed the problem. So after cleaning a drain with Bi Carb (Baking Soda) I thought I would try it on myself. I took half a small teaspoon of bi carb in about an inch of water in a glass. This instantly fixed the reflux. (Great) and lasted for a week.

Note: If you suffer chest pains, as the above take half a small teaspoon of bi carb in about an inch of water in a glass. If you only have Reflux or indigestion it will instantly neutralise the acid causing reflux and related pain. If however the pain persists after 5 minutes it could be angina or heart related.

However over the years the daily dosage needed to keep the reflux in check rose to 5 teaspoons of bi-carb each day. Finally in desperation I looked through the Internet. The cause of the reflux I had been having all those years was caused by sugar. 8 to 10 cups of coffee and tea each day with 2 spoons of sugar in each cup, also several glasses of soft drinks. That's about 8000 yes eight thousand spoonfuls a year. So I simply cut out sugar and soft drinks (No artificial sweeteners or chocolate) Since that day I have never had reflux or needed to take anything to combat it.

I also had a problem over many years with painful mouth ulcers. Constantly reoccurring. I cut out using tomato sauce and this problem also went away (could be the high levels of sugar and acids).

Everyone who eats sugar suffers from an upset stomach in varying degrees. It does not worry some people. However the human body makes a natural antacid to balance this. However it uses the calcium in your body to produce this natural antacid. So if you consume large amounts of sugars in your diet you could have to take calcium supplements.

Regards, Peter


Acne
Posted by Alakhi (Livingston, Mt) on 02/20/2013
★★★★★

I have been using baking soda internally to treat my acne and it has really worked for me! I also ocasssiinally wash my face with it, about once per week. I realize how well it worked now that I have not used it for a week. I have about 10 pimples on my face. Back on the baking soda!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Kristinad (West Valley City, Utah) on 07/10/2009
★★★★★

I got a case of ring worm that seemed to appear out of no where. The area felt itchy for several days and then a patch a bit smaller than a dime appeared. It was a very classic circle with little mounded dots around the edge and red in the whole circle and it itched like crazy. I looked on your sight for a cure and tried several including the penny-in-vinegar etc. Some helped a little others made it worse.

When it first appeared I had tried plain Baking Soda which definitely calmed it down but it did not disappear. I decided to try it again with a little vaper rub like Vicks from the dollar store, to hold it in place. It worked immediately and in two days was totally gone. I was very happy!

Baking soda has worked miracles for me in many ways, including getting rid of mouth infections and a patch of eczema on my elbow that had been there for years.

It is the first thing I turn to for a sugar reaction. Just a tiny amount on the tip of my finger clears up all kinds of problems. For skin surface problems, mostly I have just made a paste of BS and water and allowed it to dry but now I have tried it with the Vicks like product and with Triple Antibiotic that works better as it holds it at the sight. I do not know what would work in the mouth, not that of course!

I believe we are all different and the differences in our natural body chemistry makes things react differently for all of us so we have to find what is right for us. I love this sight as it has so many wonderful ideas and I've had a lot of success with different cures. Thanks so much!

One more thought I have, is I feel it is important to not over do on natural remedies. When I see people saying they take something everyday after it first worked it makes me wonder. If you do it too often and too much when you do not really need it, then where are you going to get the lift you need when you have another problem. Moderation, I believe, is a wise course, but everyone is different and has to find what works for them.


Alkalizing pH
Posted by Bill (Milwaukee, WI) on 10/22/2008
★★★★★

I find the 1/2 to a full teaspoon of baking soda is the only thing that alkalizes my urine ph the next morning. Does anyone know if this much baking soda is bad for the liver, kidneys, or the body in any way?

Baking Soda Teeth Abrasivity
Posted by Myway (Usa) on 01/31/2016

In an effort to stop the misinformation about the abrasive nature of baking sodan on teeth, I found the research data on the RDA (relative dental Abrasivity) for common dental toothpastes and baking soda. From this chart, it can be assumed that baking soda is greatly LESS abrasive then everyday commercial toothpastes with a rating of "7." Here is the link....

http://c2-preview.prosites.com/131248/wy/docs/131248_rdh sheet.pdf

Some person on this site had stated that baking soda was abrasive to teeth......grrrrrrr. The studies are clear...it has low abrasivity!

Let me go brush my teeth.....with my baking soda, coconut oil, frankincense tooth polish - diy of course!!!!!

MyWay :D

Broad Benefits
Posted by Alakhi (Livingston, Montana) on 08/08/2013
★★★★★

Baking soda for pcos and acne: I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the baking soda remedy!! It has helped me better than anything with my skin issues, and there is no comparison in how I feel. It seems to help me with all of my food allregies too! I drink the baking soda and use it to wash my face. When I stop using this my issues come back.


High Blood Pressure
Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 08/15/2023

Greetings Antoine,

It seems that the answer to whether Baking Soda raises Blood Pressure or not depends on if we have fatty deposits built up in our arteries called atherosclerosis. I do now, but I have those numb times I did not have when I was younger.

I remember always having a low blood pressure as a young woman. I loved turning up the saltshaker. And it never raised my blood pressure until life situations got serious: weight gain, stress, menopause and other mess.

As a matter of fact I have done the Baking Soda Molasses remedy for UTIs and Back or Side pains successfully on many occasions, and my blood pressure was not affected. Then one-day things changed along with negative life changes.

So what I do now while I try to clean up my arteries with better cooking choices, just take a pinch of baking soda. It brings up my pressure about 5 or 10 points. But, I at least I am in charge. Make sure you have a blood pressure machine available to keep up with results.

The interesting thing is depending on what I take it with it, it may regulate my blood pressure. Sometimes I take potassium with it.

HisJewel


Body Odor
Posted by Denise (Massachusetts) on 11/22/2016 25 posts
★★★★★

I recently tried baking soda under arm as a deodorant and I gotta tell you, it is fantastic. If I knew about this years ago oh life would have been so much better as I had struggled with commercial deodorants that didn't contain aluminum, which were hard to find in the past and they don't work ANYWHERE as good as baking soda. Just one point - I apply the tiniest amount to dry underarms. I don't use water. It lasts for days I tell you! An absolute god send!


Baking Soda Bath for Sickness
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, US) on 03/07/2015
★★★★★

My six year old had a stomach virus this week. He is normally a high energy guy and was down for days. None of our usual "go-to's" for stomach viruses were seemed to knock it out. (Turmeric, charcoal, peppermint, black tea, Apple Cider Vinegar, essential oils.) Perhaps he would have been worse without these things, but I was surprised he was down for so long. I offered him a baking soda bath a couple of times, knowing it helps one of his siblings to feel better for at least a while whenever she is sick. Finally, yesterday, I told him (kindly) that he really needed to try a bath. I made him a comfortably warm bath with a cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of Epsom salt. (With the diarrhea, I didn't want to give him to much magnesium (Epsom Salt), but thought he probably needed some! ) He played in the bath for 20-30 minutes. He was perkier when he got out. He ate dinner. Today he is back to himself and even wanted to take a little hike with me.

Baking soda or epsom salt baths seem to always give at least temporary relief to acute sicknesses. Sometimes they seem to be what is needed for the patient to turn the corner. I will make a bigger effort to try that earlier in the game next time around!

~Mama to Many~


Acid Reflux
Posted by James (Houston, TX) on 01/18/2008
★★★★★

Hi I have occasional acid refulx and my wife has it severe at times. DO NOT TAKE ACV for Acid Reflux! It just doesn't make any sense. Acid Reflux is an Acid - you neutralize Acids with Bases (Alkaline).

pH less than 7 = Acidic, pH > 7 = Basic (Alkaline). Vinegar pH = 3ish
An antacid is any substance, generally a base, which counteracts stomach acidity. In other words, antacids are stomach acid neutralizers. I truly believe that adding an ACID to your stomach to reduce Stomach Acid is the wrong approach. You should add a BASE like baking soda. Rolaids & Tums are both Calcium Carbonate. Alka-Seltzer is Soduim BiCarbonate. Baking Soda = Sodium BiCarbonate. In the duodenum, gastric acid is neutralized by sodium bicarbonate. So Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) is used internally by the body to naturally regulate stomach Acid. The equation is HCl NaHCO3 → NaCl H2CO3. HCL = HydroChloric (Stomach) acid
NaHC03 = Baking Soda.

Just add a little bit of baking soda to some water, swirl it around, and drink it. Within a few minutes you will belch. The belch is the gas released when the baking soda neutralizes your stomach acid (or if its crept into your throat it will neutralize it there). You will feel much better immediately. Baking Soda is completely safe.
'Why would you ever want to add an acid (vinegar) to another acid (HCL) with the hopes of reducing acid? That doesn't make any sense.

Vinegar is acetic acid (CH3COOH). Some of these recipies recommend you add Baking Soda to ACV. When vinegar is added to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), it produces a volatile mixture of carbonic acid rapidly decomposing into water and carbon dioxide bubbles, making the reaction "fizz". It is exemplified as the typical acid-base reaction in school science experiments. The salt that is formed is sodium acetate. Basically, this little experiment proves that its better to just take baking soda. The Vinegar is the acid and the Baking Soda is the base. The Baking Soda neutralizes the acid. Its the same way in your stomach, just add the Baking Soda and it will neutralize the acid. All you need is about a teaspoon of baking soda in an ounce or two of water. Problem solved immediately.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Bacterial and Viral Infections
Posted by DrJ (Bombay, India) on 03/29/2009

Dear Linda, the reason for the genital yeast infection is because your urine become too alkaline, above 7, try taking 1/4 teaspoon instead and mix in lemon juice also it will still do the job but wont give you the infection afterward. Bicarb will not harm your good bacteria, as this is anerobic, and bicarb increases oxygen due to its base action.


High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure
Posted by Miles (Canada) on 12/24/2014
★★★★★

All Baking Powder now is aluminum free. Baking soda is also a remedy for high blood pressure and cholesterol. Cholesterol is caused by inflammation which causes all our problems like arthritis, Gout, fibromyalgia, Cancer and on and on. The inflammation gets into the wall of the artery and starts to wear it thin so the Cholesterol does as it is supposed to by rushing in to repair it by building it up again. If the inflammation stays in there, then the cholesterol over compensates and then can become a blockage but it is all about inflammation.

High blood pressure is the same, raised by having too much inflammation in the body. No B.S. will not raise the blood pressure because it says sodium on it. Your body (kidneys) already makes the (sodium bicarbonate) Baking Soda but as we age or some bodies in general quit making enough of it to keep us healthy with a good PH level in our blood. I used to be on all the meds. and after taking this and apple Cider vinegar (organic) I went back to my Doctor and he could not believe I was the same person. He took me off high blood pressue and the Cholesterol pills. I have never felt better. These products are amazing God given. Your body was meant to heal itself if you give it the right things. As you start this check your blood pressure daily and see your Doctor before quiting your medication as I am NOT a Doctor but this has worked wonders for me.

Broad Benefits
Posted by Paula J. Schutte, Ccht (Denver, Colorado) on 08/12/2011
★★★★★

Thank you for your information. I am a Colon Hydro Therapist who sees many clients with acid reflux, gout and rheumotoid arthritis. I have used your tip on baking soda, lime and lemon juice with a splash of water for a few years now and it has helped in 100% of the cases where folks stuck with it a bit. Thank you, thank you!


Acid Reflux
Posted by Mike (Sydney, Australia) on 01/11/2012

Here is my formula for curing serious heart disease.

1. Stop Red Meat

2. Filter your water and shower water: Chlorine causes heart disease as does fluoride.

3. Take as much Spirulina as you can - 40 grams a day is a good start. You need the protein.

4. Start taking at least 2mg of Magnesium chloride or Magnesium citrate from a quality supplier. Keep some handy. If you get chest pains, take another 2mg Magnesium is emergency room medicine for heart patients - why? Because people are deficient in it, that's why their hearts are giving out. It also helps prevent and undo the calcification of the arteries, relaxes the heart.

5. Get Cayenne pepper super hot in pills. If you get chest pains or heart attack, together with the magnesium, take that stuff. Known to stop heart attacks.

6. Start taking quality fermented (if possible) organic rice protein - I recommend Boku Protein, or Sun warrior protein every day. You need the protein, this is easily absorbable. Don't over do it though. Relaxes the heart, helps the body rebuild.

7. Plenty of clean water, but not too much. Don't stress the kidneys out. Relax, take it easy. If you have stress in your life, take practical steps to remove it.

Go nuts on the spirulina. It's a food not a supplement. It has everything you need. Do not supplement with iron. Get your blood levels for Iron tested by blood test. If it is high, donate blood to a blood bank to help relieve excess iron. Excess iron is common and can kill you from heart attack as well. Excess calcium is also a problem do not take calcium supplements unless under direction of a naturopath or doctor who has properly tested to determine you are deficient (most westerners are NOT).

Get adequate mid day sunshine. VERY important also. At least 30 minutes in full mid day sunshine to at least 50% of the body is preferable. Do not shower until the following morning if possible. This is giving you Vitamin D3 in the sulfate form which is best. If youc an't do this, get supplements, they are cheap. Vitamin D3, not D2. Take 5000 to 10,000mg per day.


Stomach Ache
Posted by Kelly (Farmersville, California) on 06/17/2009
★★★★★

Baking Soda As Stomach Ache Remedy: About two years ago, a bunch of us went out to dinner, and I ended up eating too much. My stomach began to hurt and I immediately regretted eating the way I did. Afterwards, we all went to my cousin's house to watch the fights on TV. My stomach was killing me the whole time we were there. I tried walking around a bit, but it did nothing to help the problem. My cousin knew exactly what to do about this problem and mixed some baking soda in a glass of water. He told me to drink it down quickly. I drank about half of it and my stomach immedatley rebelled. I, honest to God, thought I was going to hurl! I managed to swallow the rest of the mixture, and before long, my stomach ache was gone. When we got home, I lay down on the couch, and when I got up, I felt much better. Baking soda tastes pretty nasty, but this remedy definitely helped me get over one killer of a stomach ache.



NEXT