Baking soda is 100% sodium bicarbonate and can be used in baking in your kitchen. Baking soda is naturally aluminum free. It is part of the natural mineral Natron. In the 1840's two men started manufacturing and selling the compound we know today as baking soda. A box of baking soda can normally be purchased for less than a dollar and therefore is one of the least expensive home remedies to keep on hand for its many uses such as:

Natural Deodorant – You can brush dry baking soda under your arms or use a pinch with some water to make a paste for an effective natural deodorant.

Insect Bites and Poison Ivy – A paste made with baking soda and a little water can help the itching of bug bites and can even help with itchy rashes and poison ivy. Rubbing the dry powder onto your skin also works.

Heartburn and Indigestion – Normally ½ of a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a half glass of water will help with heartburn and indigestion.

Teeth whitener – A natural teeth whitener can be made by mixing ½ teaspoon baking soda with one crushed ripe strawberry. Apply the paste to your teeth and let sit for five minutes. Then brush and rinse. Don't do this more than once a week as it could cause damage to tooth enamel if done excessively.

Sunburn Remedy – Soak in a tub of lukewarm bathwater with ½ cup of baking soda added to it to help relieve the pain of sunburn.You can also make a cool compress of baking soda and water and apply directly to the sunburn.

Hand Cleanser – You can make a natural hand cleanser with 3 parts baking soda to one part water. It will scrub dirt and neutralize odors.

Splinter removal – Many splinters will come out if you soak the area twice a day with a small amount of water with baking soda added.

Gum and Toothpaste – Baking soda can make a great natural toothpaste as its mild abrasiveness helps to remove plaque and polish, clean and deodorize your teeth. Baking soda also has antibacterial activity and has been found to kill some of the bacteria which contribute to tooth decay.

Foot Soak and Exfoliator - A natural exfoliator for your feet and/or body can be made by adding three or four tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water. A paste made from 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water can also be used directly on the skin and is gentle enough to use every day.

So many great ideas and uses for baking soda. And, of course, there are many more as well. We know that healthcare travelers and traveling nurses are always looking for great ways to save time and money and a box of baking soda can help you do both!

Mary Crawford, HealthCare Employment Network