Almost every family, has at least one home cure using baking soda. It's ability to balance PH levels, lower acidity, and it's absorbent properties make it a universal health and beauty aid especially in this day and age when people are looking for ways to save money.

Here are just a few of the many uses of baking soda that have been found to be effective over the years.

Relieves Gas

Gas and the accompanying bloating it causes can be painfully uncomfortable. For instant relief of gas and it's symptoms mix 1 or 2 heaping teaspoons of baking soda in a half of glass of warm water. Drink it down quickly. You will start feeling instant relief, as long as you don't mind a little belching.

Bee Stings

To relieve the pain and itching of a bee sting, pour some baking soda in your hand and add a drop or two of water to make a thick paste. Apply directly to the sting, the you will feel almost instant relief.

Acne Prevention and treatment

To help prevent acne mix one tablespoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water and scrub face using circular motions, rinse well with clear warm water. This will deep clean your pores removing built up oils and make up that often cause acne. It will also remove dead skin leaving your face looking fresher and younger.

For acne pimples on any part of your body that are red and sore, make a thick paste of baking soda and Visine. The baking soda will remove the soreness and the Visine will lessen the redness.

Foot Care

For anyone suffering from tired itchy feet a mixture of 3 tablespoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 Tablespoon mint extract mixed with mildly hot water will remove dirt, stop itching, and cool your feet.

Using the mixture for the face scrub mentioned above will help remove callouses and dead skin.

Deodorant

Mixing three parts corn starch with 1 part baking soda and using it as a bath powder will help keep your dry and odor free. Using this same mixture on your feet and in your shoes will also stop foot odor.

Teeth cleaner, whitener, and breath freshener.

A mixture of baking soda, salt and hydrogen peroxide will clean and whiten your teeth much cheaper than toothpaste and whitening strips. For people suffering from stubborn halitosis a mixture of 2 teaspoons baking soda in a half glass of warm water used as a mouth wash will neutralize breath.

Quickly heals canker sores

A thick paste made from baking soda and water will sting a bit but, it quickly dries up canker sores.

Nail Care

By sprinkling some baking soda on a damp nail brush and then scrubbing your finger and toe nails you can leave your nails shining and your cuticles soft and good looking.

Overall Itching

When you are suffering from overall itching, dumping a ½ cup of baking soda into your bath and then soaking in it for 20 to 30 minutes before air drying will help stop the itching.

Feminine Hygiene

Mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda in slightly warm water and using it as a douche will leave you clean smelling and stop temporary itching.

These are just a few of the many health and beauty uses of baking soda. Isn't it amazing what $2.00 can buy nowadays?

Note: If you think any condition may indicate a serious or ongoing problem you should consult a physician before trying any home remedy.