How to Use Bicarbonate of Soda in Medicine

Bicarbonate of soda, also called baking soda, is one of the most common items found in households around the world. Its versatility makes it good for keeping food fresh, for cleaning stains in fabrics and carpets and for treating common ailments. Because it's extremely basic, baking soda is an especially good antacid and is used in products such as Alka-Seltzer. Use it wisely in your own home to treat some common ailments.

Things You'll Need

• Bicarbonate of soda powder
• Water
• Glass
• Spoon
• Sugar
• Vinegar
• Bathtub

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Instructions

• 1

  Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of cold water. Stir until it fizzes and drink quickly while it's still fizzing. Drink immediately following a meal to treat heartburn or indigestion.

• 2

  Mix 1/2 teaspoon of sugar into 1 tablespoon of warm water. Add a 1/2 cup of cold water. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of household vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Stir the mixture until it fizzes, and drink quickly while it's still fizzing. This also treats heartburn.

• 3

  Rub baking soda onto damp skin after a bath or shower to relieve itch from dry skin or rashes. Make a paste by mixing 3 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water and apply to rashes or blisters for pain and itch relief.

• 4

  Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda into a cup of water. Soak gauze pads, washcloths or cotton balls in this mixture and rub onto sunburn or rashes to relieve pain and itching.

• 5

  Pour at least 1/2 box of baking soda into a running bath of lukewarm water. Soak for at least 1/2 hour to relieve intense sunburn or itching caused by skin irritants such as chicken pox or poison ivy.