natural remedies for burns | Night Owl Kitchen

Good morning everyone! Hope your day has been fantabulous so far 🙂 I have several irons in the fire here lately, coming down on the wire with a few projects and posts to share, so exciting and I can’t wait to get it up here for everyone to enjoy 🙂

Today I wanted to share some info about baking soda and all it’s usefulness. It’s not just for cooking or putting out fires, there’s so many handy dandy uses for this bitter powder. I have used it for a number of things, other than for Irish Soda Bread (that’s for another post). The most recent way I’ve used it was on a burn. Even a seasoned cook/baker as myself will have accidents in the kitchen but the best way I have found to stop the burn from hurting is to apply a baking soda paste! I know, you’re thinking back to health class and the textbook saying never apply baking soda to a burn, granted if you have burned the skin away you wouldn’t want to do that. Seek medical attention for such a burn, but for minor burns this remedy works great!

Applying a paste made out of baking soda will help to lessen the damage and relieve pain. To do this, mix 1 tablespoon of soda with 1 teaspoon of water, put the paste on the burn and wrap it loosely with a clean bandage. A baking soda bath can also be helpful. Simply add a quarter to a half cup of baking soda to a warm (not hot) bath and soak.

Since the burn was on my thumb…

Ninja Thumb hard at work!

Taking a soda bath wasn’t necessary. However, I did have reapply the paste before going to bed. Even from the first application of the baking soda paste the pain was instantly gone! I had kept my thumb on ice for a couple of hours and ever time I took it off my thumb would burn and throb. The next day the redness was minimal and the area that would have become a blister was flat. My thumb was tender for a couple of days and I noticed that my skin was peeling in that area several days later. So, for minor burns definitely try baking soda paste never again will I use an ice pack.

But the amazing uses don’t stop there. I came across an article with 75 ways to use baking soda, yet I know there are so many more! Amazon has book called “Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You’ve Probably Never Thought Of“, it’s on sale and is available with Prime two-day shipping.

I love cleaning with it too! It’s great for making jewelry sparkle, both silver and gold, no need to spend money on those expensive jewelry cleaners. I shared a simple recipe on the Night Owl Kitchen Facebook Page, so if you missed it here it is:

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:
1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, “this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.”

I have used this on my silver jewelry and the pieces look brand new. I have also used it in the bathroom, especially the boys bathroom. It helps to deodorize and it’s great for freshening up the sink in the kitchen! Root Simple(click here) has some great tips to use baking soda and even some interesting ways to apply it. I especially found her application of it in the bath tub/shower informative. How many of us actually use homemade bathing products? I certainly don’t, but should, it’s a nice thought and I love buying such products from people who take the time to make them. I’m as guilty as the next person when it comes to buying products off a shelf and grumble over the soap scum and strange red residue that forms around the shower drainer. Seriously, it’s disgusting! However, Mrs. Homegrown, points out that using homemade products won’t leave a soap scum film in the shower or tub which makes for easier cleaning! I think that has sold me lol Anything that cuts my cleaning time is a good enough reason to change!

Beyond cooking and baking with it, what have you used baking soda for?

Amanda Gayle

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