Baking soda belongs in everyone’s “medicine cabinet” as part of their health protection plan.  It’s a true blessing that it is inexpensive but still very powerful!  People tend to forget about it–don’t let that happen to you!

In my opinion, everyone should brush their teeth with baking soda.  Besides really cleaning/whitening the teeth and killing  bacteria that cause tooth decay, it will reduce the risk of colds and infections when used daily.   It can be used straight by dipping a wet toothbrush into about a 1/2 tsp. of baking soda. If you prefer using toothpaste, put some toothpaste on your toothbrush and then dip it into the baking soda.

Also, when mixed with a little water to make a paste it can be used on the skin and nails as an anti-fungal and also for itchy skin and poison ivy.  After it dries rinse it off with warm water.

Baking soda can be taken internally also at a dilution of 1/4 tsp. per cup of water and preferably on an empty stomach two times a day.  This provides a source of bicarbonate which buffers acids in the body.   This can be helpful for the kidneys and the bladder in the case of bladder infections and interstitial cystitis; the baking soda alkalizes the urine which assists an acid-irritated bladder.   There are many other benefits but these are the most important to keep in mind.

If you are trying to reduce sodium intake, use potassium bicarbonate instead.  You can purchase online potassium bicarbonate.