A teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a glass of cold water and sipped slowly can neutralize stomach acid, since baking soda is a base. Only an occasional glass is a good idea, though; too much can cause vomiting or diarrhea as the body works to correct the sodium load.
Five Baking Soda Remedies Beyond the Kitchen
Everybody knows baking soda brushes teeth and deodorizes the fridge, but sodium bicarbonate has a handful of other uses worth knowing, from calming heartburn to soothing itchy skin.
Ease Heartburn
Soothe Canker Sores
Rinsing with a mix of baking soda and water neutralizes the acidic environment around a mouth ulcer, helping calm the pain.
Clean Produce More Thoroughly
Soaking fruits and vegetables in a baking soda and water solution for 15 minutes has been shown in studies to remove almost all surface pesticides, without leaving behind any detergent residue.
Deodorize Naturally
A light sprinkle of baking soda under the arms or on the feet makes body odor less acidic and noticeably milder, the same way it deodorizes a fridge.
Soothe Eczema and Itchy Rashes
The National Eczema Foundation recommends mixing a quarter cup of baking soda into lukewarm bathwater and soaking for up to 15 minutes, then, while skin is still damp, applying any prescribed cream followed by a moisturizer to help seal it in.
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