The Powerful Combination of Baking Soda and Sea Salt for Health

The Powerful Combination of Baking Soda and Sea Salt

Individually, baking soda and sea salt have an array of health and wellness applications. But when combined in water, these two simple ingredients create a powerfully beneficial solution that treats everything from upset stomachs to skin conditions.

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline powder with a salty and slightly bitter taste. It has the ability to act as a mild abrasive and base, making it useful for cleaning, deodorizing, leavening baked goods, and neutralizing acids.

Some key traits of baking soda include:

• Alkaline compound that helps counteract acidity
• Dissolves readily in water
• Produces carbon dioxide bubbles when exposed to an acid
• Amphoteric - can react as both an acid and base
• Neutralizes odors and cleans surfaces

Consuming baking soda water helps alleviate heartburn, indigestion, bloating, gas, and other stomach issues caused by high acidity. It calms symptoms by neutralizing some of the stomach's hydrochloric acid.

What is Sea Salt?

Sea salt originates from seawater that undergoes evaporation to yield concentrated salt crystals or flakes. It provides small amounts of minerals like potassium, iron, and zinc not typically found in regular table salt.

Compared to highly processed table salt, sea salt is less heavily ground and refined. This leaves behind beneficial trace nutrients and electrolytes that enhance its flavor and health promoting properties.

Here are some notable features of sea salt:

• Contains 60+ nourishing electrolytes and minerals
• Has a high mineral content including potassium and magnesium
• Available in fine powders or coarse crystals
• Sourced from pristine ocean waters around the world
• Has a richer taste than common table salt

When used topically, sea salt can reduce skin inflammation, clear up eczema flare ups, draw out impurities, and stimulate circulation. It makes an effective ingredient in detox baths, scrubs, and washes.

Why Combine Baking Soda and Sea Salt?

Baking soda and sea salt joined together create a DIY remedy more powerful than either on its own. Mixing them enables you to harness multiple health benefits at once for amplified wellness and healing.

Internal Cleansing Abilities

One major advantage to pairing baking soda and sea salt is their combined ability to cleanse your body's internal systems. Consuming them together first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can:

• Improve digestion and relieve gastrointestinal issues
• Alkalize the body and lower acidity levels
• Detox the kidneys, liver, and urinary tract
• Boost circulation and oxygenation of cells
• Increase mineral and electrolyte absorption

This simple morning tonic stimulates cleansing by drawing excess fluid out of tissues while flushing toxins from cells. It also introduces minerals and alkalizing agents needed for enzymes and metabolic processes to run smoothly.

External Cleansing Perks

A baking soda and sea salt soak extends cleansing benefits to the outer skin and tissues. You can make DIY detox baths, foot soaks, facial steams, and other topical treatments to:

• Draw out impurities from pores
• Soothe sore inflamed areas
• Soften and exfoliate rough skin
• Neutralize skin acidity
• Fight fungal infections

Together baking soda and sea salt's antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions reduce swelling, redness, itchiness and irritation for clearer balanced skin.

How to Make Baking Soda & Sea Salt Water

One of the easiest ways to tap into baking soda and sea salt's combined potential is to mix up an alkalizing tonic water. Sipping this drink first thing in the morning can set your body up for an optimized day.

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 12 oz. glass of water

Directions

1. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda to a tall glass.
2. Pour in 1/4 tsp of sea salt.
3. Fill glass with 12 oz. room temperature water.
4. Use a spoon to mix until dissolved.
5. Drink entire mixture first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
6. Rinse mouth afterwards and wait 15 minutes before eating to maximize nutrient absorption.

Feel free to tweak amounts of baking soda and salt to find your personal ideal ratio. Most healthy adults can safely tolerate up to 2 teaspoons baking soda mixed with 1 teaspoon sea salt per day.

Who Shouldn't Consume It

While this drink is generally harmless, a few conditions warrant avoiding it:

• High blood pressure - Baking soda is sodium-rich.
• Congestive heart failure or edema - Excess sodium causes fluid retention.
• Chronic kidney issues - Impairs the kidneys' ability to remove excess sodium.

Additionally, some people find the salty slightly bitter taste unpalatable no matter the ratio. Adding a touch of lemon can help cut the intensity while augmenting cleansing effects.

The Best DIY Baking Soda & Sea Salt Remedies

Looking to target specific health complaints or enhance self-care rituals? Whipping up targeted solutions utilizing baking soda and sea salt can support you.

For Digestive Woes

If indigestion, heartburn, or nausea plague you, try this antacid-like relief drink:

• 8 oz. water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
• sea salt to taste

The baking soda neutralizes stomach acid while the salt replenishes depleted electrolytes for quicker recovery.

For Congestion and Colds

Harness anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties with soothing steam:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil (optional)
• dash sea salt

Heat water to steaming. Transfer to a bowl with other ingredients and inhale vapors to clear stuffed sinuses. The sea salt helps thin mucus discharge as you heal.

For Skin Conditions

Calm bumps, irritation, infections and inflammation by drawing out impurities:

• 1 cup sea salt
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• warm bath water

Mix the dry ingredients first then add your bath water. Soak affected areas like your feet, elbows or back to cleanse pores while inhibiting fungal overgrowth.

For Oral Health

Freshen breath, whiten teeth gently, and support gum health with this paste:

• 3 tbsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• water to form paste

Dip your toothbrush then brush teeth gently for 2 minutes. Rinse when done. The minerals strengthen enamel while baking soda disrupt plaque acids.

Understanding the Sea Salt and Baking Soda Relationship

What makes baking soda and sea salt such a dream team for wellness? Their carefully balanced relationship enhances absorption while offering multiple therapeutic mechanisms.

pH Balancing Effects

Baking soda is highly alkaline with a pH around 9. Sea salt has a more neutral 6.5-7 pH but contains acids that react with baking soda's base properties.

This gives their combination a light buffering effect. Consumed together, they help reduce your body's overall acidity for less inflammation and optimal function.

Gut and Cell Interactions

Within your digestive tract, baking soda and sea salt water stimulates circulation while pulling liquids into intestines. This softens compacted waste to support elimination and detox.

As the solution moves into cells, baking soda oxygenates tissues and encourages toxin release. Meanwhile, the sea salt provides replenishing minerals and electrolytes to help this cellular cleansing.

Skin and Tissue Effects

Sea salt draws moisture out from skin and swollen tissues via the high mineral content. This reduces inflammation and shrinks puffiness.

Baking soda disinfects areas while neutralizing skin acidity. Together, their abrasive-yet-soothing combination cleans out pores, kills germs, and removes dead skin cells.

Safety, Side Effects & Considerations

Maintaining awareness around preparation, dosing, and usage frequency helps you avoid problems when harnessing baking soda and sea salt's combined power.

Potential Risk Factors

• Kidney disorders - strain organs by impeding sodium removal
• Digestive ulcers - can aggravate sensitive tissues
• Yeast infections - salinity feeds fungal overgrowth
• Chemical sensitivity - may respond poorly to compounds

Side Effects to Note

• Bloating or gas
• Cramping sensations
• Irritation of mouth, throat or stomach
• Tingling extremities
• Temporary exhaustion - as cellular detox occurs

Reduce chances of adverse effects by starting slowly and incrementally increasing amounts. Cease use if negative reactions develop.

Usage Rate Recommendations

New users should limit internal intake to:

• Once every other day
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• Pinch sea salt
• 8 oz. water

Soaks and salt scrubs can be used 3 times per week building to daily as tolerated. Most healthy adults do fine with up to 2 tsp baking soda & 1 tsp sea salt split between morning drinks and baths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does baking soda or sea salt change the water temperature?

No, neither baking soda nor sea salt significantly alters the heat or coolness of water. Their dissolving process is endothermic meaning they absorb thermal energy. So expect your DIY soak water to feel slightly cooler once mixed.

Can you combine with other natural remedies?

Yes! Baking soda and sea salt nicely complement other healing solutions. Pair your tonics with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, turmeric, or probiotics for additional support. Adding soothing herbs like ginger, fennel or chamomile can improve flavor.

Is bottled or refined sea salt okay to use?

Pure dried sea salt sold in bags works best. This ensures higher mineral levels compared to common table salt. Avoid colored, perfumed or salt stone varieties which introduce potential irritants. Though if plain table salt is your only option, use it in small amounts.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.