Baking Soda Profile

Also known as

sodium bicarbonate, bicarbonate of soda

Introduction

Baking soda usually appears as a fine powder, but can also appear as a white solid that is crystalline. Ancients Egyptians used natural deposits of Natron, a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, as a cleansing agent like soap for a variety of purposes. In 1791 a French Chemist produced sodium bicarbonate as we know it today. In 1846, two New York bakers developed the process of making sodium bicarbonate and carbon dioxide into baking soda to help dough to rise quicker and more efficiently. Each of them started a company on their own, but later merged and became the makers of Arm & Hammer baking soda.

Analysis

Sodium Bicarbonate- 99.6%
Moisture- 0.2%
Mesh Size- US #300
CAS# 144-55-8

Notes

The line of Baking Soda offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is specifically manufactured according to NSF standards for food and dietary purposes, and is listed with OMRI for use in organic production. Kosher certified through Earth Kosher.

Summary

We are finding new uses for baking soda all the time, and here are just a few.

• It can be used as a treatment for acid indigestion and heartburn.
• A paste can be made that is very effective in cleaning and scrubbing.
• It has long been used as a natural tooth whitening agent. It has been used as a dry chemical for fire extinguishers.
• Antiquarian booksellers use it to absorb and remove the musty odor of older books.
• It can be dissolved in a bath to lessen or soothe the discomfort of sunburn or the itch of poison ivy.
• It can be made into a paste with cool water to ease the pain of bee stings.
• Everyone at one time or another has had a box of it in their refrigerator to help absorb odor.
• It adds a smooth texture to creams and lotions.
• It acts as a pH stabilizer

Precautions

People on sodium reduced diets should check with a doctor before consuming baking soda.