Sodium bicarbonate is the scientific term for Baking soda. It is a combination of sodium ions and bicarbonate ions. It is an alkaline powder. They have various uses, from baking to oral hygiene and cleaning purposes. It has the significant function of killing bacteria, removing odor and acidity.
Some people confuse baking powder with baking soda. At the same time, they both have similarities. But Baking powder contains a small amount of tartar acid and cornstarch along with baking soda. The tartar acid constituent in baking powder makes it slightly acidic, which is not good for the skin. So, For the best result on your skin, you should use pure baking soda because it has an alkaline pH.
The reason baking soda works so well for your skin is its alkaline nature. When it’s added to water, it makes the water more alkaline. Once the baking soda is added to the water, you can feel that the water turns silkier.
Before knowing the benefits of a Baking soda bath, let’s see how much baking soda is enough to give you the best results on your skin and the procedure to use it.
Table of Contents
Baking Soda Bath procedure
It’s recommended to add about 2 cups of baking soda to a bathtub full of water. So, just add 2 cups of baking soda to the lukewarm water or cold water in your bathtub for a better soak. If needed, reduce the amount of baking soda. Avoid increasing the amount of sodium bicarbonate. For the best detoxifying effect, rub your skin gently before bathing.
7 Benefits of Taking a Bathing Soda Bath
So, now let’s see the Benefits of Baking Soda bath in detail.
1) Cures Fungal infection
Certain strains of Fungus infect the nails and skins of humans. Baking soda has been found as an antifungal agent for species of Fungus infecting human skin and nails.
Onychomycosis is a common nail fungus. It infects the toenail. According to various research, baking soda is a potent antifungal agent for treating onychomycosis. Another skin infection, Tinea cruris, is a rash in the groin area that can also be treated with baking soda. Few reports also showed that baking soda helps kill candida cells that are another common cause of fungal infections on the skin.
It’s usually advised for people with nail fungal infections to soak their feet and hands in warm water with baking soda in it. Baking soda baths can be more beneficial to treat any fungal infection on any part of the body. You can ask your doctor whether a baking soda bath would help relieve your fungal infection symptoms.
2) Eczema
It is a medical condition in which some inflamed itchy patches are formed on the skin. These patches turn out to be cracked, rough and dry patches. Some types also lead to blisters. These patches can be so itchy that a person might scratch them so hard to break the skin.
According to a report, about 10% of the US population suffers from this skin condition. So also, one research proved that baking soda baths help to reduce the symptoms of eczema. It helps to heal the cracks and better the patches. Baking soda also obstructs eczema flare-ups.
Add ¼ – ½ cup of baking soda to a warm water bath and exist in it a few times. This will give you relief from itchiness.
3) Detoxifies your Body
Baking soda baths completely detoxify and purify your body. Some people suggest adding Epsom salt and some herbs and natural oils, and baking soda for more effective detoxification and soothing baths.
As you soak yourself in baking soda, you give a boost to your immune system. The cleansing and detoxifying properties of baking soda help to boost your immune system.
4) Treat Diaper Rash
Diapers wore for the longest time, become the most suitable place for microbes to multiply. This leads to rashes on the very sensitive skin of children. These rashes turn out to be red and itchy, and some also give burning sensations to infants.
As we have seen earlier baking soda helps to stop the growth of microbes. So, in this case, it removes the bacteria and helps to soothe the sensitive skin. It will relieve the burning sensation.
For infants and small children, you should essentially use a minimal amount of baking soda. This baking soda can get absorbed in the very soft skin of the baby. Using a small amount as 1-2 tablespoons in warm water for 10 minutes is enough for giving relief to these rashes in your baby.
Now even some adults wear diapers. So for them, also taking a baking soda bath can help get rid of the microbes in that area and the rashes.
5) Health Boosting Benefits
Taking a baking soda bath has benefits over external skin infections and has some internal health-boosting benefits. In other words, we can say that it detoxifies your body. It gives relief from muscle pain.
According to some research, baking soda baths also help to relieve the tension of day-to-day life. It also helps in bettering perspiration and boost blood circulation.
6) Treating Yeast and UTI Infection
UTI infection is a common medical condition in which microbes infect the urinary tract. According to researchers, one in two Australian women suffers from UTI infection in their lifetime.
Baking soda bath doesn’t treat the UTI infection but helps neutralize the acid in the tract and crib the germs from the urinary tract. That would help to better the condition.
There is various yeast that causes skin infections in humans. These infections lead to itching, swelling, burning sensation, and sometimes these infections stings. So to overcome these symptoms, baking soda baths can be beneficial to you. It maintains pH and inhibits the recurrence of infection.
Wrapping up
Above mentioned baking soda bath benefits to health are enough to convince yourself to take a baking soda bath right away. Soothe your skin and calm down with the baking soda bath. If you have open wounds or some different health conditions, you should consult your doctor before taking a baking soda bath.
Patients with high blood sugar and people with high blood pressure should not take baths with baking soda. But if you are not having any such health conditions consider giving the baking soda bath to yourself today itself.