Food grade Bicarbonate of Soda

[SheffieldJane]

I think that I may have responded to a tip on the forum, but I have no memory of what it was. Lately I have been troubled by heel pain and right side lower abdominal pain. 2 kilos of Bicarbonate of Soda arrived today. I obviously thought I needed a lot. Can anyone help? Otherwise, the fridge gets it.

[Seacat30]

Apparently you can soak your feet in baking soda as an exfoliant?

[MrsNails]

I know jinasc recommends it for first sign of a urine infection but probably not in that quantity! It is very good for cleaning & unbunging drains 😉

[jinasc in reply to MrsNails]

It was me - a teaspoonful of bi-carb in as little water as possible.......drink and repeat after 2 hours. If it does not work on that day, repeat next day and then if it still does not work - head for the GP (or up here Ward 35).

I now confess I needed some Mayonnaise, hit the wrong button and ended up with 5 kilos. I could not even lift the package and my kind delivery man put it in the kitchen.

Needless to say a small charity, which feeds homeless people and runs a drop in centre thought it was great.

Now I cannot think what to do with it the bi-carb , but if I remember correctly, during the war my Mam used to make, with bi-carb, epsom salts, meringues - the eggs were no problem my Grandad had a garden given over to ducks, chickens, and veggies - he did companion planting with flowers as well. I am grinning away..............you made me smile and after today I needed that smile.

[Boss302Fan in reply to jinasc]

I’d suggest doing that on an empty stomach! Most times 1/2 tsp in 8 oz of water works for me.

[JGBH in reply to MrsNails]

I did not know that! There is a rather smelly drain at the back of the house so how do I proceed by using bicarbonate? Have you tried it? Do I pour a strong mixture of it (in lukewarm water?) down the drain, wait for 1/2 an hour and pour more water down the drain? Thanks for the tip…

[HeronNS in reply to JGBH]

I just pour some down the drain, top up with a couple of cups of plain white vinegar and let sit for a bit. Then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. But I've only used it for drains in bathroom and kitchen to keep them clear.

[JGBH in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you so much… will try it in my kitchen drain… and in the outdoor drains, will put quite a lot and see what happens… nothing to loose.

[HeronNS in reply to JGBH]

The vinegar makes a volcano! I think the idea, indoors anyway, is to put in the plug while the fizzing goes on then finish with the very hot water. I may have damaged our new acrylic bathtub with boiling water years ago, so am a bit more cautious now, but metal pipes and enamel fixtures should be fine.

[JGBH in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you once more… will try carefully.

[MrsNails in reply to JGBH]

As HeronNS says - follow with White (distilled) Vinegar - brilliant Results!

[JGBH in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you.

[JGBH]

This is in reply to Jane. You can use it with salt as an effective mouth wash… great to destroy bacteria. As already mentioned by someone else good for foot bath too… Just try it!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It makes an excellent environmentally friendly oven cleaner that doesn't kill your lungs:

ovenu.co.uk/how-to-clean-yo...

Or the loo, washing machine, descale the kettle and a host of other things

bhg.com/homekeeping/house-c...

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, back in the day when I used my oven more than once a year we used baking soda to clean it. So easy. no one needs the toxic chemicals. And soda and vinegar are our basic cleaners at home, have been for many years.

[HeronNS]

Years ago there was thing going around that a quarter tsp of bicarbonate of soda taken daily would relieve inflammation. I tried this and after several months decided it had absolutely no effect on PMR. Both my original post (there were others by other people I think) and my results post are "related" to this one, according to HU, so easily found.

[Kendrew]

I'm afraid I can't add anything to the bicarbonate of soda issue, but your larger-than-expected delivery made me smile as it reminded me of something similar that happened to me.David (hubby) does the order each week for our Tesco home delivery... and doesn't always quite get it right!!

One week he ordered 10 bananas for the following week. The delivery man nearly gave himself a hernia carrying the box to the front door....it all became clear as to why when he approached the door..... David had somehow ordered 10 KILOS of bananas!!😄

Another time he ordered me 8 yogurts....but the yogurts came as packs of 4...... I ended up with 32 yogurts!! 😄

I'm sure you'll take advantage of the many uses of bicarb and if not, then you probably won't order so much again!😂

[MrsNails in reply to Kendrew]

I worked with a young Dr who was a great advocate of On Line Shopping when it first started ended up with 4kilo of Kiwi Fruit 🥝 instead of just Four…..

[Kendrew in reply to MrsNails]

😄😄😄

[Bridge31 in reply to Kendrew]

I was the opposite. I ordered 1kilo of bananas or so I thought and they sent one tiny banana.

[Songbird69]

…. and brushing your teeth with it. It will soon be gone! 😂

[PMRCanada]

Hubby uses a 5kg bag in our pool to raise the ph and stabilize the levels.

[Grammy80]

Jane, you certainly made a lot of folks smile!! Many suggestions for you too, if I was next door I'd split it with you~!!!😆😆💖

[SheffieldJane in reply to Grammy80]

Thanks Grammy80 you are welcome to delve into my massive jar. I am losing it aren’t I?

[SheffieldJane]

Thank you everyone, it is clearly useful stuff. It may have been acidic urine and altering that. Thanks for taking time out for my Pred head. Whatever it was seemed like an answer. I am changing the things I can change and accepting the things I cannot.I think unblocking drains and wiping round the fridge and cleaning the oven are great ideas. My son uses a kind of eco clay to wash with and it makes the bath drain slowly, his skin might be lovely but it is not helping my plumbing.I once ordered a massive white board that blocked my boss’s office for ages. I got the code wrong for a clip board. So embarrassing!

[Pr0jection]

Living here in Cyprus we have septic tanks. Every week I put a few soda crystals or bi-carb down the sinks and flush it out with hot water. It keeps them super clear. At the same time I descale the kettle with vinegar. I also clean the washing machine with vinegar - a great tip given to me by the service engineer when he took a look at the clogged up drum. Pour 1.5 litres of white vinegar into the drum via the dispenser, followed by 6 litres of cold water. Leave overnight. The following morning put the machine onto a quick wash without any detergent. When this has finished put it onto a very hot wash without any detergent. I do this at least 3 times a year. I know this is not PMR related but it might help towards living a stress free life!!!

[Viv54]

I think it was me !!!! do you you have sore feet ? if so i told you my therapy for them. Put a couple of handfuls in warm/ hot water , soak for at least 20 minutes then cover you feet in Wilkos cracked heel cream. If it was me problem solved ! Your not losing your mind , just having a senior moment. Dont worry it happens to me all the time. Let me know . Viv🌷

[SheffieldJane in reply to Viv54]

I think it was Viv54 that seems to fit. Many thanks. Sometimes my brain is like a series of black holes that I cast about in.

[Viv54 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Haha, I knew it was me , don't forget to get Wiki cracked heel cream !! We all have our senior moment's x😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

Didn't you say Epsom salts though? Totally different stuff ...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

I have that as well and tried it. I also bought a little buzzing device that straps to the sole of the foot purporting to be radio waves and that eased the heel pain. You mentioned a treatment you could access a bit like that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

No - my treatment is a sound wave therapy, rather noisy, you get noise-cancelling headphones to wear!

mayoclinic.org/medical-prof...

eswt.info/en/

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

I would be up for that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Wish he'd blooming well used it on the achilles problem - it's as bad if not worse! and more of a handicap at present!

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes!😊

[TURQ8 in reply to Viv54]

Not sure if I read your remedy or on Google but I suffer with corns and dry calluses on my feet. I have found regular soaking in bicarb water bath then pumice of the calluses and add lots of foot cream or Atrixo - really helps to keep the corns at bay.

[Poshdog]

Oh you have made me feel so much better - I have piles of cat litter sacks - and no cat - don't ask!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Poshdog]

“Don’t ask…”

Oh I don’t know…I think we have to 🤣😂

[Poshdog in reply to DorsetLady]

Pred head on auto - used to have cats, used to have chickens too......... watch this space! 🙃

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Poshdog]

Hmm 🤨

[borednow]

I have to say this website never ceases to amaze me. And to often start my day with big smile. Thank you.

[ling]

Just wondering, re right side abdominal pain - do you think probiotic supplements might help?

[SheffieldJane in reply to ling]

I do take them in tablet form and live yoghurt most days thanks.

[Pr0jection in reply to SheffieldJane]

I take 3 probiotics per day. They were the only thing that helped my periodic bouts of gastritis and diverticulitis.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pr0jection]

What brands do you use?My GP has just said that she thinks it is diverticula disease and gastritis but she is also referring me to a gynaecologist to investigate pelvic congestion.

[jinasc in reply to SheffieldJane]

VSL#3.

A surgeon recommended this after an op. Millions of good guys.

I had to ask PMRpro as she has a better memory than me, but then she is much younger than I am, because I could not remember the name. I did write it down somewhere.................

As far as I know it is not available on prescription. My chemist Lara, had never heard it. Looked it up, ordered it and now keeps it in the shop. Guess what A sells it now.

Before you buy, read this:

vsl3.co.uk/

[Pr0jection in reply to Pr0jection]

I buy them on-line from Healthspan UK. Hope this helps....

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pr0jection]

Thanks! My doctor also recommended this. I think I have at last got an engaged GP.

[ling in reply to SheffieldJane]

Could i ask which brand tablets you are taking?

[SheffieldJane in reply to ling]

Just a bottle I got on line from Holland and Barrett. Buy one, get one half price.

[ling in reply to SheffieldJane]

I take a probiotic supplement Progut 3 times daily. Its helped a lot to reduce my intestinal pain. I was really sorry to read about your abdominal pain. It can really mess up your life 😭

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

Another good source is kefir, which contains more and more varied strains of beneficial microbes than yoghurt.

[Theziggy]

yours.co.uk/life/home/bicar...

[SheffieldJane in reply to Theziggy]

What marvellous stuff. I am beginning to wonder if 2kg is in fact enough.

[AshPen9]

I read recently that bicarb was good for carpets, a sort of shake and vac type of thing. Leave it for a few hours and then hoover up. I am going to give it a try myself. Fortunately for me Tesco don't sell large quantities online, so they only sent me two little tubs ! I'm sure that your 2 kg will be gone in no time with all of the handy hints here!😆

[SheffieldJane in reply to AshPen9]

I got it from the usual on line place. Free postage and cheapest. I try not to.

[Greenthought]

Late to the party, as I wait for the email digest! Just to add to the bicarb cleaning uses list, it makes a great carpet freshener if you've got lots - sprinkle on, brush in and leave for an hour or two, then hoover up. Also make a paste with ordinary bleach and apply to bathroom grout etc - leave to dry, and brush or wash down. Just wish I could raise my arms to reach top of tiling...

[HeronNS in reply to Greenthought]

I think the carpet tip is what Arm&Hammer use in their pet deodorizing carpet product. Baking soda and a fragrance! Another good way to clean bathroom grout is white vinegar and an old toothbrush.

[SheffieldJane]

I love the way we are pretending that we actually clean 😂😂😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Or have cleaned. Or have a cleaner ...

[Lizwillis]

Brilliant post, thank you SheffieldJane! Good to have a chuckle at what we are like, most of us! Very little brain often, certainly in my case! Also to discover what the stuff can be used for! Now can you remember what you you thought of it for????

[SheffieldJane in reply to Lizwillis]

Nope but I am a massive fan of the wonderful stuff.

[Lizwillis in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have sent the brilliant list to my OH and it will then be accessible for both of us to try and remember all the list of things it can be used for!

[Hidden]

You lot do make me laugh!😂 Thank heavens for you all x