Bathing With Baking Soda

[Michelle KochStudent]

Well, baking soda is not really an herb, but a mineral… that being said, a bit over a year ago I came across a blog suggesting to bathe or shower with baking soda, instead of soap or fancy shower gels to relieve itchy, sensitive, allergic skin types.

I did soak in baking soda baths during flare ups already, and that seemed to help, so I filled a plastic jar with baking soda and replaced my bar of soap with it. It works well! It is a gentle exfoliant, helping to remove the dry flaky scales of eczema, and leaves me feeling and smelling clean.

For a few months, I went back to soap, to see what would happen. Over time I became more itchy again, so I went back to baking soda. Ah, much better! I also stopped using body lotion, even on my face! I just need hand lotion, which I made myself.

I still have not found a shampoo substitute, but I’m thinking of giving the baking soda another try. One day the Mr. and I want to go rv-ing long term, and I would like to reduce the environmental impact of “grey water” when we are out boondocking away from sewer drains.

Anyway… I just wanted to throw the baking soda non-soap idea out there for those suffering from severe skin problems. It’s been a great discovery for me. 🙂

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

There’s a lot of stuff in soap that probably shouldn’t touch your skin.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

For shampoo, actually for and ALL OVER body soap we use Castile soap. Currently Dr Bonners but not sure if they are making it any longer or if the store is just not carrying it. There are sources on eBay as well.

It is about as basic as you can get for a soap. Renee is very sensitive to soaps and this is the only thing she can use. She likes the Tea Tree but needs to be careful in the groin area.

We even use it for hand washing.

It is VERY good for getting sticky stuff like Gumweed off of your hands and cloths too. Even gets Boswellia resin out of the blender with a good soak.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Yes, I was using an olive oil soap. All soap requires the use of lye to create saponification. I know that lye is rendered harmless by the end of the soap making process, but for whatever reason, lye soaps really make me itch. :confused: Baking soda works, so I’ll stick with that.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Was it PURE Castile soap or were there additive, even essential oils?

[Author]

Posts