Sodium bicarbonate is a truly versatile and virtuous substance. Commonly known as bicarb soda, baking soda or just bicarb, its various uses are seemingly infinite. From raising dough and cleaning benchtops to alleviating acne or curing indigestion, everyone should be singing the praises of bicarb.
Bicarb (chemical formula NaHCO3) is a naturally occurring salt that can also be produced artificially. Its use can be traced as far back as the ancient Egyptians, who mined the naturally occurring mineral natron, which contains primarily sodium bicarbonate, and used it as a kind of soap.
Throughout history, bicarb has been well utilised as a cleansing and alkalising agent as well as a raising agent in baking. Although some bicarb is still mined, most of the bicarb we find on the supermarket shelves today is produced in factories where literally tens of thousands of tonnes per year are prepared for household use.
Medical uses for bicarb
Bicarb is an alkalising agent, so is often used to combat conditions caused by high levels of acid. Conditions that can be treated with bicarb range from minor ailments such as indigestion and acne to very serious conditions such as severe metabolic acidosis, which can be treated with an intravenous infusion of bicarb.
Bicarb is also a cleansing agent for the body because of its mildly abrasive action. It can be used to cleanse skin and hair and as an alternative to regular toothpaste. It is also commonly used to relieve pain and itching associated with insect bites, sunburn and minor burns.
A teaspoon of bicarb dissolved in water is an effective antacid that can be taken without worry of side-effects. In fact, many commercially available antacids are simply bicarb with added sugar and flavour. The same mixture can be drunk to replace salts in the body following stomach upsets or dehydration caused by exercise.
For skin irritations such as insect bites, make a paste by mixing bicarb with a little water and apply it to the site. Similarly, a paste made by mixing bi-carb and water in a 3:1 ratio makes a good facial cleanser. For rashes, sunburn or even chicken pox or shingles, a few cups of bicarb in a warm bath will soothe the skin and reduce irritation.
Bicarb can be mixed with food-grade hydrogen peroxide for a very effective whitening toothpaste. Alternatively, it can be used on its own mixed with a little water. Due to its anti-bacterial qualities, bicarb is also useful as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers: add a teaspoon to half a cup of water and rinse your mouth. Use the same solution as a gargle to treat sore throats.
Bicarb can also be used as a replacement for underarm deodorants, which contain aluminium and can be harmful to your health. Just rub a handful of bicarb under each armpit and reapply as necessary.
An interesting but controversial use of bicarb that has emerged in the past decade is as an alternative cancer treatment. Italian oncologist, Dr Tullio Simoncini, who has been discredited by the medical establishment, claims to effectively treat cancer with bicarb soda by applying it directly to tumours. His work is extremely controversial, but he has built a significant and vocal following. The treatment is based on his belief that cancer is caused by the common fungal infection Candida albicans, combined with research that has shown that cancer cells do not survive well in alkaline environments.
Household uses for bicarb
Bicarb mixed with white vinegar can replace most of the toxic cleaning chemicals we use in our homes. Cleaning with natural products is better for both our bodies and the environment — and significantly better for the household budget. Bicarb is effective against dirt, grease and stains caused by acidic substances such as tomato, lemon juice and red wine. It also fights mould, bacteria and fungus.
You can effectively clean most surfaces with bicarb by just sprinkling it on and wiping down with a damp cloth. Sprinkle onto stained coffee cups to completely remove discolouration.
For more difficult cleaning, such as pots and pans, ovens and bathroom surfaces, a paste can be made by adding water, or for really tough grime, add a little vinegar as well. Apply to the item, allow to soak in for a few minutes and then scrub clean with a little elbow grease. You may need to use more of the latter than you do with the highly toxic commercial products, but it’s well worth the extra effort.
Bicarb will also remove mould and mildew from bathroom tiles, walls and ceilings. Use a mixture of one part water, one part vinegar and one part bicarb to kill and remove the mould.
Use a paste of bicarb and water on chopping boards to disinfect. Just apply the paste, leave for 10–15 minutes and rinse. Sprinkle bicarb into children’s drink bottles and lunchboxes to remove stains and odours.
As well as being a fantastic cleaner, bicarb is also an excellent deodoriser. Use a handful in your dishwasher or washing machine to neutralise odours and thoroughly clean. A small dish of bicarb in the refrigerator will absorb food odours, too, and you can use it to you’re your hands after handling onions, garlic or seafood.
Bicarb is excellent for deodorising rubbish bins and cat litter trays — simply sprinkle a layer over the bottom. For carpet and upholstery, sprinkle over, leave for 15 minutes and vacuum up. It can also be dusted into shoes and sports bags and left to remove those difficult odours and combat fungal infections. You can even use it on pets — just gently rub a little into the animal’s coat, leave for five minutes and brush.
Bicarb in the clothes wash is a good alternative to expensive stain removers and fabric softeners. Add half a cup to every load. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of bicarb and water directly to the stain before placing in the wash or mix bicarb with warm water and soak the item for half an hour.
Surprisingly, bicarb can also be used to extinguish small grease and electrical fires. A box kept handy by the stove and in the shed can be thrown over a small fire. In the shed, bicarb is also handy for softening used paintbrushes. Mix a teaspoon of bicarb into a small jar of water and soak the brushes for half an hour.
Cooking with bicarb
Bicarb soda produces a chemical reaction when it is mixed with an acid. The chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide, which causes the mixture to fizz. This reaction is used in cooking as an alternative to yeast for leavening breads and to create a light, airy effect in things like honeycomb.
The advantage of using bicarb instead of yeast to make bread is the elimination of the lengthy rising and kneading process that is required when using yeast. A simple bread made with bicarb is known as “soda bread†and is quick and easy to make. Bicarb is also commonly used for baking cookies and biscuits and is one of the ingredients that turn plain flour into self-raising flour.
In recipes that already contain an acid ingredient, such as honey, molasses, brown sugar or citrus, bicarb can be used on its own. If an acid is not present it is generally mixed with tartaric acid to create “baking powderâ€. Self-raising flour is just plain flour that has baking powder mixed into it. It’s important not to get baking soda and baking powder confused as baking powder contains only a portion of bicarb, so the amounts to be used for a given recipe will differ.
Aside from its uses in cooking it is also useful for rinsing fruit and vegetables to remove traces of pesticides. Mix a tablespoon of bicarb into a sink of water. Immerse the produce, then remove and rinse. Bicarb was also commonly used to improve the colour of boiled vegetables, which were essentially overcooked, but this practice is not common any more as most people prefer to cook vegies much more lightly than in great-granny’s time. Bicarb is still used by Grocery stores, however, to improve the colour and appearance of produce.
Recipes
Anzac biscuits
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ¾ cups desiccated coconut
- 1½ tbsp golden syrup
- 2 tbsp boiling water
- 1½ tsp bicarb soda
- 125g butter
Preheat oven to 150°C. Mix together dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Melt butter and golden syrup together in a medium-sized pot. In a teacup stir the bicarb into the boiled water and quickly add to the butter mixture. The mixture should go foamy. Fold through the dry ingredients and place teaspoons of the mixture onto a baking tray. Bake for 10–15 minutes until golden.
Yummy honeycomb
- 6 tbsp white sugar
- 2 tbsp golden syrup
- 2 tsp water
- 1 tsp bicarb soda
Put sugar, water and golden syrup into a saucepan and stir over a gentle heat until sugar is dissolved. Boil for seven minutes or until liquid coats the back of a spoon. Take off heat and add bicarb. Stir gently and quickly pour into a lined baking tray. When cold and crunchy, break into pieces. For a really indulgent treat, coat pieces in melted chocolate and leave to set.
Soda bread
- 4 cups flour
- 2 tsp bicarb of soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 60g butter, cubed
- 2–2¼ cups buttermilk
Preheat oven to 190°C. Line a tray with baking paper. Sift flour, bicarb soda and salt in a large bowl. Rub in butter cubes. Mix in buttermilk to form a dough. Bring together on a floured surface to form a ball. Shape dough into a 20cm round. Place on the tray. Cut a cross in the top. Bake for 35–45 minutes. Serve warm with butter and honey.
