Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is used in many homes for baking or cleaning, and it is also a traditional home remedy for colds and flu. Baking soda is derived from a mineral, and it reacts when it is mixed with other components, releasing carbon dioxide, which helps the dough to rise.
Not many people are aware of the fact that baking soda was often used as a home remedy in the past. Bicarbonate is part of the system the body uses to maintain the proper pH balance in the bloodstream. This is one of the reasons why baking soda was traditionally used during colds and flu.
A healthy, balanced body supports your natural immune system. The body regulates its own pH balance very carefully, and bicarbonate plays a part in this process.
Bicarbonate is found in your bodily fluids and organs, and it has an important role in the acid balance of the body. Baking soda is inexpensive, so many people use it as a home remedy in the season of colds and flu. Doctors also use sodium bicarbonate in some medical situations, and researchers are studying its role in inflammation and in kidney health. These uses require medical supervision.
At the beginning of the last century, baking soda was a popular remedy for colds and flu. According to reports from that time, some people who took it in the early stages of the illness experienced milder symptoms. These are historical reports, not modern clinical studies, and results vary.
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According to some older medical books, baking soda taken internally may soothe the mucous membranes and help loosen thick mucus. The use of sodium bicarbonate is simple. Take a glass of cold water, add the baking soda, stir until it dissolves, and then drink it.
Colds and Flu – Baking Soda Remedy
Back in 1925, the recommended amounts of sodium bicarbonate for adults during the flu were the following:
Day 1: Six doses of half a teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of water, taken at two-hour intervals.
Day 2: The same method, but reduced to four doses.
Day 3: Only two doses, one in the morning and one at night.
Day 4: On day four and thereafter, just one dose in the morning until the symptoms ease.
Baking soda is high in sodium. This remedy is not suitable for children, pregnant women, or people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease, and it should not be used for a long time. Ask your doctor before trying it, especially if you take any medication, and see your doctor if your symptoms are severe or do not improve.
Baking soda and its wide variety of uses remind us of something that we often overlook: sometimes simple things from the kitchen have a long tradition of use at home.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.