Urinary tract infections or cystitis, as they are called in popular parlance, are triggered by the action of bacteria on the urinary tract.
The main signs of the condition are frequent urination associated with burning or pain.
The disease is more common in women, but men in their middle age are also prone to it. This type of infection occurs because various micro-organisms reach the urinary tract, multiply and, over time, lead to changes in the normal functioning of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Urinary tract infections that last for more than two days usually require medical intervention.
Left untreated, UTIs can infect the kidneys, turning the problem into a more serious one. To prevent a developing UTI, try adding 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water, as this will help help flush out the infection.
Bicarbonate neutralizes the acidity in the urine, speeding up the recovery process. So drinking 1 glass of water with half a teaspoon of bicarbonate daily for 10 days will help you get rid of urinary tract infection.
Other benefits of bicarbonate:
Sodium bicarbonate against stomach acidity, indigestion, and ulcer pain
Most antacid medicines in pharmacies contain some form of bicarbonate.
Sodium bicarbonate works by immediately neutralising stomach acid, helping to relieve heartburn, indigestion and even ulcer pain. This property is based on the fact that sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline, so its antacid principles help remove heartburn.
Baking soda can also eliminate bloating and flatulence.
The generally recommended dose is ½ teaspoon dissolved completely in half a glass of water and taken every two hours (you shouldn’t take more than seven half teaspoons in a 24-hour period, or three ½ teaspoons if you’re over 60).
However, this solution should be used as an occasional treatment (not long-term) and care should be taken not to consume excessive amounts, as it can cause serious electrolyte and acid imbalances.
Sodium bicarbonate against insect bites and erythema caused by wild ivy
Apply a paste of baking soda and water to insect bites to relieve the stinging or itching sensation.
You can also try rubbing some dry powder on your skin. Baking soda is also an effective remedy for rashes and eruptions caused by wild ivy. Baking soda helps soothe mild irritations by neutralizing toxins and irritating substances on the surface of the skin.
Baking soda as a natural deodorant
If you want to avoid the parabens and aluminium unfortunately contained in many commercial deodorants and antiperspirants, try a mixture of water and a little baking soda.
This paste can be an effective and natural deodorant. Rub the underarms a little with this mixture, and then remove the excess.
Baking soda for reviving tired feet
If you have tired, swollen feet, add three tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl of warm water to help relax your feet. You can even gently rub the skin of your feet with baking soda to exfoliate them as well.
You’ll soon feel the effects of the heavy, swollen feet feeling gone. You can even add 2-3 drops of peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender essential oil (or any other essential oil you prefer).
Baking soda used as an addition to a relaxing bath and as an exfoliant
Baking soda and apple cider vinegar are a great formula for a spa-like bath. A paste made from three portions of baking soda combined with one portion of water can also be used as a face and body scrub.
Or you can use, also as an exfoliant, a mixture of four tablespoons of oatmeal with a little warm water and two tablespoons of baking soda to massage your entire body for clean, glowing skin.
It’s natural, economical and safe enough to use as often as you feel the need.
Baking soda as a hand cleaning product
Mix three parts baking soda combined with one part water to make a perfectly natural solution for removing dirt or stains from your hands or for neutralising strong odours left on your skin (e.g. after cleaning fish or garlic, etc.).
Baking soda removes stains
Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a small glass of water, then rub it into the affected area twice a day. The sores will come out easily after 2-3 days of using this treatment.
Baking soda as a remedy for sunburn
Add ½ cup of baking soda to a tub of warm water, then get into the tub and stay for 10-15 minutes.
When you get out of the water, don’t wipe your skin with a towel, let it dry naturally so that the baking soda acts on your skin as a soothing balm. You can also add a mixture of baking soda and cold water to compresses and apply them directly to the area of sunburned skin.
Baking soda for better sports performance
Runners have long used a practice known as “sodium doping”-or taking baking soda in capsule form-before running races, improves performance and has also been shown to increase speed in swimmers. Here’s what researchers have reported on this:
“Essentially, sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline substance that raises the pH level in the blood. This appears to reduce and compensate for the acidity produced in muscles during intense anaerobic exercise that produces lactic acid rapidly, as in speed running or swimming.”
