Sodium bicarbonate: what is it used for and what properties does it have?

We use various types of soda in medicine, industry and households. One of them is baking soda . This substance is called sodium bicarbonate in chemistry. What properties does it have and what is baking soda used for ? Let's check.

Sodium bicarbonate - what is it?

First, let's answer the basic question: what is baking soda ? It is nothing more than the baking soda that we use every day for cooking and cleaning. Sodium bicarbonate can be found under various names: sodium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate . Chemists describe it with the formula NaHCO ₃ .

Baking soda: physical and chemical properties

What characterizes sodium bicarbonate (baking soda )? It is a white powder that:

• poorly soluble in water,
• no smell
• has a salty-sour taste,
• neutralizes acids,
• it is non-toxic, does not irritate the skin or mucous membranes, is suitable for consumption.

What else is worth knowing about sodium bicarbonate? The pH of its aqueous solutions reaches 8.6 pH. Alkaline sodium bicarbonate, when exposed to high temperatures or combined with acids, gives off gas - carbon dioxide.

Sodium bicarbonate - application

What is baking soda used for ? It is a powder with a very broad spectrum of activity. Works as:

• baking powder (thanks to it, the cake is fluffy and rises quickly in the oven),
• acidity regulator in food products,
• additive to: cosmetics, cleaning agents, odor absorbers,
• component of dry extinguishing powders,
• natural remedy against insects and weeds.

Where else can baking soda be used? The applications of this substance are not limited only to cosmetics, food processing, occupational health and safety or household chemistry. Sodium acid carbohydrate also has a number of health-promoting properties. Our great-grandparents already knew that soda treatment gives very good results.

Is baking soda healthy?

Much has been written about the beneficial properties of sodium bicarbonate in the literature and blogs devoted to natural health treatments. The action of this salt is very wide - a solution of baking soda can be drunk, rubbed or used as a rinse. Soda, prepared in the right proportions, according to recipes, does not harm health. This is a type of medicine that does not irritate the organs and has a positive effect on the functioning of the human body.

Soda and health: the use of baking soda in medicine

Modern doctors are more and more willing to use natural remedies. One of them is baking soda. What does it help with ? It is an effective deacidifying, detoxifying and cleansing agent. Sodium treatments reduce gastric hyperacidity, cleanse the liver, stimulate the work of the entire urinary and digestive systems. Soda, used in the right proportions, also supports the immune system.

It is also worth remembering that baking soda has antibacterial properties . Soda rinses eliminate the problem of bad breath and reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat. What does baking soda treat ? It is a great home remedy for heartburn and digestive problems. Soda solution has an antiseptic effect on the epidermis, soothes irritations, acne and inhibits excessive sweating.

Baking soda - application in ancient medicine

Treatment with baking soda is a method that has been known and appreciated for centuries. In the past , medicinal baking soda was mainly used to clean and soothe wounds, including bites and burns. It was also used by people with poor condition and anemia, struggling with element deficiencies. In children and adults , baking soda for the nose was a proven remedy for a runny nose.

In the past, even pediatricians recommended the use of baking soda in treatment . Compresses and soda baths neutralized burns and inflammations of infant skin, exposed to constant contact with a wet terry diaper. Compresses with soda solution were also used, among others, for the treatment of cradle cap and other forms of seborrheic dermatitis.

What can you use baking soda for at home?

In households , kitchen baking soda has been an irreplaceable agent with a washing and refreshing effect for years. Thanks to it, you can quickly remove dirt and bacteria from various surfaces. What to use baking soda for ? You can make it:

• floor washing liquid,
• pipe cleaner,
• cleaning paste for burnt pots or dirty fittings,
• a sachet that absorbs unpleasant odors in the fridge or in the wardrobe,
• solution for disinfecting vegetables and fruits.

Aqueous soda solutions perfectly clean precious metals such as silver or gold. In gardening, sodium bicarbonate is also used as a weed killer.

As you can see , the properties of baking soda at home are impressive. It's a natural bleach, sanitizer and wiper. What else does baking soda do? White powder, scattered on the floor, repels ants and perfectly absorbs unpleasant odors from upholstery, carpets and floor coverings.