In its natural from, sodium bicarbonate is known as nahcolite, part of the mineral natron. In ancient times, Egyptians used natron as a soap for cleansing purposes, other civilizations adopted it for bread and food uses. 

Amazing good value sodium bicarbonate Is good for a multitude of uses.

From settling indigestion, heartburn, relieving insect bites, sunburn to using it for personal hygiene as a natural tooth & gum-paste, deodorant, hair care, relaxing bath and to clean around the home.

Deodorant 1

6-8 Tablespoons coconut oil (solid state)

1/4 cup sodium bicarbonate

1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)

Combine the sodium bicarbonate & arrowroot powder. Add the coconut oil a few tablespoons at a time and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable and ‘easy to spread’ consistency.  If the mixture becomes too wet, add a bit more arrowroot powder/ or cornstarch to thicken.

Place the mixture in a small container with lid and apply with fingers (you don’t need much!).

Deodorant 2

Preparation : 10 minutes for 100 g of product

Ingredients

6 gr. of beeswax or jojoba wax ( vegan) 

40 gr. of organic coconut oil

35 gr. of sodium bicarbonate

30 gr. of Arrowroot

10> 20  drops of you favorite essential oil ( depending on the oil)

Instructions 

Put the beeswax in a bowl that is heat resistant and place it over a small pot of simmering water, allow the wax to melt slowly (do not heat more than necessary).

Add coconut oil, and let it  melt slowly and whisk  (I use a little whip).

Remove from heat. Add sodium bicarbonate, Arrowroot and stir to a creamy texture.

Finally, add the essential oil.

Put  into a small container (or empty deodorant applicator stick) and leave it at room temperature or in the refrigerator until firm

3 Tbsp  white kaolin

2-4 Tbsp spring water  or boiled water that has cooled

1/2 Tsp sodium bicarbonate

2 drops tea tree oil and peppermint oil

INSTRUCTIONS

To make peppermint flavor, combing combine 2 Tbsp of water with clay in a non-metal bowl and mix well using a non-metal spoon (the clay should never come in contact with any metals).

Add 2 drops tea tree oil and 2 drops of peppermint essential oils. Mix well.

Add 1 Tsp of Soda bicarbonate , mix well and taste. Add additional essential oils and/or water to taste and texture, adding oils one drop at a time and water ½ Tbsp at a time.

The flavors will meld together over time, so wait 48 hours before making significant adjustments to the flavor.

Store toothpaste in a glass or plastic jar with a lid.

The toothpaste will dry out over time if left uncovered. To re-hydrate, add water 1 tsp at a time until desired consistency is reached.

See notes for lemon and orange flavors.

NOTES

** To make lemon toothpaste, reduce tea tree oil to 2 drops, substitute lemon essential oil method above.

** To make orange toothpaste, reduce tea tree oil to 2 drops, substitute. Follow the method above

Ingredients

3 Tbsp of green clay

2 tbsp of coconut oil, at room temperature/liquid state

1 tsp of xylitol powder

¾ tsp of Himalayan salt (fine)

1 tsp of  sodium bicarbonate

3 Tbsp spring  water to thin, more as needed

10 drops of  essential oil of your choosing. ( Peppermint oil , Thyme, or Fennel oil)

Directions

In a small glass bowl, blend together the coconut oil, xylitol, salt, sodium bicarbonate and essential oil until well incorporated. Mix in the green clay and then slowly add the water, a tablespoon at a time. When you have a smooth paste you are done. Put into a container

Notes:

It is important when making homemade toothpaste that you use top quality ingredients as I have suggested.

Basic face mask

Simply mix 1 tablespoon of cool water with 1½ tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate, smooth over your face and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse with warm water, pat your face dry with a clean towel and apply an oil-free moisturizer.

Orange Juice and Baking Soda Face Mask

Mix 1 tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate with 1 tablespoon of no-pulp orange juice. Wash your face, pat it dry and then rub the mixture onto your skin. Leave the mixture on your face for 20 minutes, rinse clean, pat dry, and moisturize. The Vitamin C in the orange juice will make your skin brighter and the citric acid can make your pores less visible. If you want, you can substitute orange juice with lemon juice or grapefruit juice for a similar effect.

Honey and Baking Soda Face Mask

Mix 2 tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate, 2 teaspoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or orange juice. Wash your face and pat it dry. Put the mixture on your face and wait for 15 minutes. Then rinse, pat dry and moisturize. Lemon or orange juice can brighten skin. Honey is a natural antibiotic and moisturizer that can really help acne-prone or dry skin.

• Never put a mask on a cut, bruise, burn, sore or patch of damaged skin because it can irritate the skin and make the injury worse.
  
• Never use a sodium bicarbonate face mask, if you have sunburn on your face.
  
• When you first use baking soda face mask, put a small amount on a small area of your skin and wait for 5 minutes to see if there is any burning, stinging or adverse reactions. Wash the mixture off with cool water immediately, if it burns or stings.
  
• If you have leftover baking soda face mask, try applying it to other parts of your body that are oily or prone to acne.
  
• Alternating sodium bicarbonate face masks with vinegar soaks on alternate days can slowly speed up the healing of the damage done by acne. It can also help get rid of the brown pigmentation that acne sometimes leaves.
  
• Be careful not to get the mask in your eyes. If you get some in an eye, rinse it out with cold water immediately.
  

Personal Care

Make Toothpaste

A paste made from sodium bicarbonate and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

Freshen Your Mouth

Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit and rinse. Odours are neutralised, not just covered up.

Soak Oral Appliance

Soak oral appliances, like retainers, mouthpieces and dentures, in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles and neutralizes odours to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean using baking soda.

 Use as a Facial Scrub and Body Exfoliant

Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.

 Skip Harsh Deodorant

Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.  

 Use as an Antacid

Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.

Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin

For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower. For specific tips on bee stings, see Bee Stings: Prevention and Treatment.

Make a Hand Cleanser and Softener

Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, or 3 parts baking soda to gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean. You can try this honey and cornmeal scrub for hands too.

 Help Your Hair

Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly–baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

 Clean Brushes and Combs

For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

 Make a Bath Soak

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration, it also makes your skin feel very soft. Epsom salts are pretty miraculous for the bath too; read about the health benefits of Epsom salt baths.

Soothe Your Feet

Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub. You can also make a spa soak for your feet.

How to Take a Sodium Bicarbonate Bath

Precautions

A homemade Sodium Bicarbonate bath is refreshing and therapeutic for most people but pregnant women and people high blood pressure and heart problems must consult their doctor before using it.

Maintain a comfortable bath temperature to reduce your risk of burning, fainting, or dizziness. People who use drugs or consume alcohol should avoid detox baths to prevent passing out or drowning.

Sodium Bicarbonate Bath: Recipe 1

Fill the bathtub or sitz bath with enough warm water to be able to submerge your body when you sit. Mix four to five tablespoons of baking soda into the water. Use a wooden spoon to help dissolve baking soda. Soak affected area for 10-20 minutes. Gently dry off with a soft towel to avoid further irritation.

Sodium Bicarbonate Bath: Recipe 2

Fill bath tub with hot water. Mix half a cup of Epsom salts and half a cup of baking soda. Add the mixture to the water while still running to make sure it dissolves well. Soak in the tub for 20 minutes. Lie down in bed for a few minutes after the bath because you may feel some dizziness, which is common after soaking in hot water, and releasing toxins.

Sodium Bicarbonate Bath: Recipe 3

Dissolve a quarter cup of sea salt, a quarter cup of Epsom salt, and another quarter cup of baking soda in some boiled water inside a jar about a quart-size. Set aside. Then fill bath tub with warm or hot water and add 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar. Pour the salt mixture into the bath. You can also add a favorite essential oil. Soak in the bath for about 30 minutes or as desired. Use this to sooth skin irritations, boost magnesium levels, and detoxify your body.

Bonus

For more cleansing effects, drink some peppermint tea before bathing. You can also add brewed peppermint tea to your bath to promote release of toxins through your skin.

For a soothing aromatherapy soak, add 10-15 drops of essential oils, such as rose or jasmine, to your Epsom salts. To relieve stress, add relaxing herbs like lavender or chamomile.

Remove dead skin cells by dry brushing using a loofah sponge or body brush before your bath. Then shower after the detox bath to complete your cleansing process. Use washcloth and soap to remove residues from your skin.