Sodium bicarbonate

Description

Sodium bicarbonate mixed with water can be used as an antacid to treat acid indigestion and heartburn. It is used as the medicinal ingredient in gripe water for infants. It can also be applied topically as a paste, with three parts baking soda to one part water, to relieve some kinds of insect bites and stings (as well as accompanying swelling). Sodium bicarbonate can be used to treat an allergic reaction to plants such as poison ‐ivy ‐oak or ‐ sumac to relieve some of the associated itching. Bicarbonate of soda can also be useful in removing splinters from the skin.