Ho-lee mo-lee. This is the LAST Tuesday in April, and, as such, the LAST Tuesdays Outside the Box.
I hope you’ve come prepared, my friends.
Today, we’re talking about ways to use baking soda and unconventional ways to heal aches and pains. You know the drill, right?
If you have a blog post to share that falls under either of those themes, link it up below. Otherwise, leave a comment so everyone can share your knowledge on how YOU use baking soda in new or various ways – as well as the tips, tricks, and natural solutions you have to healing aches and pains.
I have a lot to share, so let’s get started!
Tuesdays Outside the Box: Baking Soda (Closet Poppers!)
First, I’d like to announce that: I have a walk-in closet! This is a joyous occasion, cause to celebrate.
Or it would be, if it weren’t for the fact that we didn’t keep the hamper and ALL the shoes in it. That sweet little haven of storage goodness turned on the funk within a week of moving in here, so I had to come up with a solution.
Instead of buying a little bag of cedar chips ($5.95 for 6 blocks – yikes!), I started thinking of ways to incorporate baking soda and essential oils to help mitigate the creeping mustiness.
These little “poppers” were born – and YAY(!) do they work!
I actually tried a version of this idea last year, only I used cheesecloth and ended up with baking soda all over the floor. So I put the idea to rest, thinking it was ne’er to be successful, until the walk-in closet came into our lives and suddenly I remembered … coffee filters.
All you need for baking soda closet poppers are:
- Baking soda
- Coffee filters
- Twine or string or such
- Essential oils of your choosing
It goes like this:
- First, mix together baking soda and your favorite odor-busting essential oils. The quantities of each are up to you, but I used 1/2 c. baking soda and 7-10 drops rosewood EO, 7 drops bay EO, and 15-17 drops eucalyptus EO. Stir this all well, breaking up any clumps with your fingers. (PS. Just eucalyptus alone would work really, really well … and it’s one of the least expensive essential oils you can find. It’s also good for hiding #2.)
- Put 3-4 tsp of baking soda in a coffee filter and gather the filter tops together.
- Tie the top with twine (or string or yarn), leaving a long enough end to tie around the pole in your closet. And then, tie them there.
- When the scent starts to fade a bit, you can just “pop” the package with your fingers a bit – flicking it ever-so gently – to loosen everything up, and it refreshes!
Want to know what I love most about these? They do double duty – infusing the air with odor-eradicating essential oils while the baking soda soaks up and purifies bad odor at the same time.
And! For the batch I made for this post? I decided, instead, to use it in the second bathroom where the cat box lives. (If you recall, my cat isn’t the most graceful of poopers, so this really helps during the intervals where he forgets to, um, cover his tracks.)
I love how unobtrusive these little babies are. They’re so natural looking, they just blend in with the surroundings. They work invisibly, but oh-so-effectively.
Baking soda closet poppers. THAT is my baking soda contribution to Tuesdays Outside the Box.
Tuesdays Outside the Box: Soothing Aches and Pains
Remember when I was all, “Ahh, cod liver oil – it alleviated my back pain SO quickly?” True story: I’ve had at least 5 people say they’ve been taking it and it’s working for them, as well. Woohoo!
Well, there’s a new kid in my life that has been taking care of other aches, pains, and inflammation issues (especially during that time of the month). You’ve probably heard of it before, but did you know … this thing has actually been shown, in scientific studies, to be three times more effective at easing pain and soothing inflammation than aspirin or ibuprofen?
This thing is …
Yep. Turmeric! Which, by the way, I learned today can either be pronounced tur-mur-ic (the way I pronounce it) or toom-ur-ic (the way it seems like everyone else pronounces it).
Now. Here’s where the tough part comes in with using turmeric to soothe aches and pains. And this tends to be the issue with so many “natural remedies.”
What’s the dosage?
The short answer is: There really doesn’t seem to be one. But, if you’re like me, it may seem like a sprinkle of it on your dinner just isn’t going to cut it.
To use it in a way that feels like you’re actually getting some good out of it, you could fill empty capsule containers (available at most natural food stores or Mountain Rose Herbs) and then take a capsule or two at a time. Or, you could make a turmeric tea with the amount that feels appropriate for you, and drink it down quickly.
I’m not sure how that would taste.
These two options would be the most natural and most cost-effective ways to utilize turmeric to help with aches, pains, and inflammation.
Or, you could buy turmeric capsules, which are sold just about everywhere. I got mine at Vitacost (thanks to the Refer-A-Friend program), so I could really do an actual test on taking turmeric in “premeasured” forms just to make sure it actually worked for me.
And it really, really does. It’s so subjective to say that it works better than, say, ibuprofen – because who sits around and measures how fast and effectively their antiinflammatories work? But it has consistently alleviated my pains (like I said, whether they were ladycramps or too-much-computer neck pain) pretty darned well.
After I’m finished with the bottle of capsules, though, I’m going to try filling my own. Like I mentioned, it’s not particularly cheap to buy turmeric capsules – even though the spice itself is really, really affordable.
(I bought my bulk ground turmeric at a local natural foods store for $1.85. It has to be at least 3/4-cup worth.)
There is a LOT to be said, though, about taking turmeric on a regular basis, rather than just for aches and pains: Turmeric has shown incredible anticancer properties – especially for those who suffer from or are prone to colon cancer.
AND, turmeric also makes one heckuva gorgeous facial mask – iff’n you feel like putting food on your face!
Now It’s Your Turn! Share Your Outside the Box Ideas Here!
Don’t forget to leave your comment with ideas on how you use baking soda in different ways – or the natural methods you use to soothe aches and pains.
And if you have a blog post regarding either of those things, right here is where you link it up and share your awesomeness:
This is your last chance! Let us all see what you’ve got up your sleeve!
I’m Sorry, Lyle Lovett
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I am taking your feeds also.
I find that eating ginger helps tremendously with headaches or uterine cramps. (Even if it’s candied ginger!)
Would paper bags work for the poppers? I don’t have any coffee filters and would like to use something I already have it possible
Epsom salts for migraine. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate, amazingly magnesium is very good for migraines. In fact some studies show it to be as effective as some prescription migraine meds. What works for me? 1/2 to 1 cup epsom salts in a full hot tub and a 30 min soak. I sometimes add lavender or vanilla and mint to the tub for a calming fragrance.
What a brilliant idea love it thank you! I can’t wait to go search more of your blog! 🙂
For headaches – Try mixing a drop or two of peppermint essential oil with a few drops of carrier oil. Massage on your forehead and temples with eyes closed (to avoid minty fumes). Works for me every time.
We live in an area with hard water. Before we moved into a house with a water softener, I used a half cup of baking soda in the wash cycle of each load of laundry to soften the water and eliminate the need for fabric softener and excess laundry detergent.
I was waiting for this one! I recently had poison ivy which makes me crazy– it was swollen, weepy, ick- you name it. I dumped a bit of baking soda into my hand in the shower and lightly exfoliated the areas. It helped remove flakes of skin and it felt so good to rub it lightly….. also recommended as a poultice for P.I, but I find that too messy. So rub it over your poison ivy in the shower and enjoy the cleansing exfoliation.
I have used Baking Soda for a UTI, urticaria and insect bites and for all things to clean! My favourite use for it is to get odours out of clothes and carpets. As for aches and pains, I rely heavily on homeopathic Arnica and my hot water bottle 😀 Echo turmeric and lavender essential oil – a folk remedy from Pakistan that works wonders is turmeric mixed with hot milk to heal internal wounds.
I add tumeric to my facial scrub – use it every second day. I find that if I use it as a mask it makes my face yellow.
Reduce or eliminate bruising by making a paste of baking soda and white vinegar and applying it to the site as soon as possible following injury. Keep in place as long as your patient will be still (it tends to crumble off) and be amazed at the effects after minutes. Be sure to avoid the eyes and any open wounds due to the strength of the vinegar. My younger son was always banging himself up from the time he could walk (run!) and this was a great remedy. I even miscalculated a bump once and only covered half the area — there was a line of bruising that stopped dramatically where I’d applied the paste. Cool!
YIPPEEE! I knew I could not be the only one to pronounce turmeric correctly! Since when do we have silent “r”s?!? : )
OK, every time I read about the wonders of turmeric I feel guilty for not trying it. Maybe this is the motivation I need!
In Mass & RI we do. We don’t have cars, we have CAHS. LOL.
Baking soda is awesome in the bath! Everyone knows how vinegar and soda react – fill your bathtub with hot water and add 1/2 – 1 gal of vinegar (softens your skin and has a drawing effect for sore muscles) Just before you get in the tub, add 1-2 cups of baking soda. It creates the fizz and as you get in and stir up any undissolved soda it will continue to fizz and give you a nice ‘spa’ effect. The soda also has skin softening properties!! I like to turn the heater on in the bath and light a candle, then turn off the lights and just soak………
No baking soda hints here (though I use and love your natural deodorant recipe!), just a recipe for an oddly yummy hot drink from another blog I follow: Mark’s Daily Apple. I must share his turmeric “tea” recipe:
8 ounces (1 cup) almond or coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2-inch wide round slice of ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
Dash of cayenne pepper and/or black pepper
1/2 – 1 teaspoon honey or other sweetener
Optional additions: a small pat of butter, cinnamon, cardamom
Instructions:
Gently warm the almond or coconut milk on the stove.
In a mug, combine the remaining ingredients.
Drizzle a teaspoon of the warmed milk into the mug and mix until the liquid is smooth with no lumps. Add the rest of the milk and mix well. You can leave the pieces of ginger in the tea, or strain it out before drinking.
Enjoy!Read more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/creamy-turmeric-tea/#ixzz1t3jVJ1jS
Another thing you can do is fill your closet poppers with coffee grounds to absorb odors. If you use the flavored coffees you can enjoy the scent too.
Tumeric Tea is a wonderful drink, if you know how to make it! Fill a cup 1/2 full of hot water, add tumeric, 1/4 tbsp coconut oil, mix until coconut oil is melted and then fill to top with almond milk. Almond milk and coconut oil helps your body absorb the tumeric. It may not taste great at first, but what medicine does? It is a wonderful facial mask when mixed with coconut oil. Drinking one cup a day (or more) has helped me immensely! Tumeric contains great nutrition! Thanks for the post!
This sounds like something I used to get at a vegetarian restaurant in Denver, CO many years ago. It was a lovely drink and I have wanted to duplicate it so often but couldn’t quite figure out how to make it. Thank you for posting this.
I use about 1 TBSP baking soda + 1 cup of water to clean the bottom of stainless steel pots and pans with seriously horrible stuck-on gunk. I just throw them together into the pot and boil it. Once it’s boiled a minute or so I’ll loosen the gunk a bit with any non-metal flat utensil (like a pancake flipper). Doesn’t take much. Once it’s all free I rinse out the pot with hot water and soap. Clean and shiny!
I discovered this accidentally when boiling pretzels in baking soda + water in a pan that (I thought) had permanently burned-on oil at the bottom.
You had me at pretzels!
i just started getting your info so missed the “Cod Liver oil for back pain” Please send the info again… anything is worth a try Thanks!
Can not wait to try turmeric …. Having uterus pain now this will be fun
I wash my face with a tiny sprinkle of baking soda and a couple squirts of jojoba oil, mixed into a paste. I am so astonished it works — I have ridiculously sensitive, acne prone skin that breaks out if I so much as look at a new cleanser or product — but I’ve been using it for several months with good results (ever since I ran out of my expensive facial cleanser, the only one I ever found that worked). I have tried so many facial cleansers over the years that it is totally ridiculous that a $1 box of baking soda and a $5 bottle of jojoba oil, which last for a year, do the trick.
I’m with KarinSDCA on the baking soda. I use it for EVERYTHING so nothing is really out of the box anymore. Washing dishes, washing laundry, cleaning house, carpet refresher, washing hair, cooking, deodorant, pretty much everything.
As for pain relief, I don’t have anything for general pain, but for headaches (especially sinus headaches, but it works for other types as well) I like to make a cup of herbal tea (whatever I have on hand) and put a few teaspoons of ACV in it with some honey. I sip that, usually make a second cup, and by the end of cup 2 (if its a sinus headache) my pain will be gone. If its another type of headache, it may take a little while to go away but the pain is greatly reduced to a more tolerable level.
I read your post about cod liver oil, and I’m totally going to have to get the Hubs on that…he has back pain a lot. And I’m going to have to get some turmeric it looks like!
After knee surgery, my herbalist recommended making a turmeric-honey paste (just mix equal parts turmeric and honey; use a baby food sized jar) and eating 6 tablespoons a day to reduce the inflammation and it worked better than all the stuff the doctors recommended. And I started to love the taste after a day or two (the honey doesn’t hurt)!
I tried this and mixed in even more honey than turmeric, and it did NOT work out. Did you have problems taking it at first? I honestly feel like vomiting after this.
ETA: I only took half a tablespoon and it was just too gross.
I have been using baking soda for 15+ years around my house. I buy the bulk package (10-12 lbs) several times a year. All this to say I am not sure what is considered “outside the box” anymore. LOL I store the bulk of my baking soda in the laundry room and add a scoop to all whites and linen loads for freshening. We keep a shaker of baking soda on each level of our home for scrubbing sinks, counters, tubs, pots/pans, and the stove top, etc. Baking soda replaced Comet and all other scouring products many, many years ago for me. As a freshener, it has replaced Carpet Fresh, Glade plug-ins, and so much more. For sofas, mattresses, and carpets, try this: sprinkle baking soda (with or without essential oils) and let it sit for awhile to absorb odors; then vacuum it up. I grow herbs and trade with neighbors. I made a mix from baking soda (half the recipe), lemon verbena (dried and crushed), mint (dried and crushed), and rosemary (dried and crushed) to use as I described above before a big slumber party (and AFTER). We had borrowed pet-free rugs that smelled musty and stale. The house smelled lovely!
Castor oil packs can reduce pain like magic! I had kidney stones one summer and my Ayurveda practitioner was overseas. Via email, she prescribed warm beer and castor oil packs and an herb called Gokshura. Amazon prime 1-day shipping came in quite handy! I was in so much pain and my husband was out of town. I got through it with no medical interventions whatsoever; didn’t even go to a “doctor”. Although, a well-meaning neighbor gave me a strong motrin-type pain-reliever, but I vomited that back up and gave her the bottle back. I’ve never been able to handle ibuprofen, but I was desperate!
To make a castor oil pack: Drizzle castor oil on a piece of flannel and lay it on your bare skin (on the afflicted area or over your abdomen for better overall health). Cover with plastic of some kind to protect your bedding/clothing/etc. (I cut open a bread bag because that’s all we had.) Add a heat source (heating pad or hot water bottle) or just climb into bed with plenty of warm covers. Repeat as often as needed. No need to wash the flannel; just store it in a glass jar to use again and again.
Meanwhile, the same Ayurveda practitioner has me taking turmeric for health reasons. I am allergic to the herbs she would usually prescribe and turmeric helps more gently than others I’ve taken (mostly for digestion issues). I used to purchase it in capsules at our local health food store, but now I buy the bulk herb from Mountain Rose Herbs and make capsules myself. I got a capsule machine and empty capsules online. We also make our own garlic capsules (for immunity boosts while traveling and/or illnesses are going around) and other herbal capsules. Making your own capsules is soooo much cheaper and you absolutely know what is and what is NOT in your supplements as long as you grow & harvest your herbs or buy them from a reputable source.
Hi Karin
I’ve heard of people buying their own empty capsules to fill up, but where did you buy the machine?
Thanks in advance 🙂
I purchased The Capsule Machine by Capsule Connection:
http://www.capsuleconnection.com/
I didn’t buy it on their website, though, but I do not recall where I purchased it. The same guy was selling it in a few places and I got free shipping wherever I purchased it plus the capsules.
I fill it by hand. I use empty caps for my kids, open an cap and divide it in several empty caps to reduce dosage. I also use it for strong tasting oils like oil of oregano or grapefuit seed extract, or crushed garlic…
Did water kefir helped you with digestion? I am just curious, as it made a huge difference at my house. My son has a lot of food sensitivities and his GI is a mess despite years of feeding him probiotics and good stuff. Two months of water kefir have made a huge, huge, improvement. I just cannot believe it.
You can also add cayenne pepper to your castor oil packs – cayenne is great for pain relief (and also for stopping migraines and heart attacks!)
love all the tips!! for your cat box you should try the 18 tote w lid(as seen on pinterest) with hole cut in lid. keeps done the smell & litter mess tracked out of box. : )
I just went directly to Pinterest to search for this – what a great idea! If my cat wasn’t so old and crochety that he wouldn’t make it back out of the hole on the top, I’d definitely try it – he is soooo sloppy with litter.
If you cut a hole in the side, as high up as your cat can manage, it will still help quite a bit.
And of course I found said old crochety cat on the kitchen counter this morning, licking a casserole dish! I guess he’s more spry than he lets on!
I’m sad that this is the last Tuesdays Outside The Box! It has been a great way for me to connect with other bloggers and them with me. Are you sure you really want to stop? 🙂
I think this should be an on-going thing too! Not necessarily every week — maybe the first and third Tuesdays of the month. It is definitely a big help to me ’cause I can barely find my way outside the box, let alone think while I’m there : )
Turmeric tea is very good. Sometimes I sprinkle it in my coffee. Something to keep in mind, as with anything, are side effects. For all the good things it brings, it is also a blood thinner. It may not be for everyone.
Awesome info! I use turmeric all the time, especially since I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis and have terrible cramps 24/7! I put it on food, drink it in tea, and take the turmeric capsules.
Every time I cook with it, I end up with orange stains all over my hands that don’t go away for a few days. So… to all of you putting turmeric on your face, HOW do you avoid looking like an oompa loompa????
That’s pretty exciting news about turmeric and inflammation. I’ve been trying not to take IBP unless absolutely necessary, so a safer replacement would really be great.
I use turmeric with ginger and lemon as a tonic herb. It’s good for pain and inflammation, particularly joint pain, it’s also a liver tonic, good for the digestion and detoxifying the liver.
2 T fresh turmeric root or half as much ground dried1 T fresh ginger root
2 c water
1/2 lemonSlice the roots fine (or grate, if you prefer) and put in a small, non-reactive pot. Slice half a lemon into 3 or 4 rounds and add into the pot. Pour the water over. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain. Sweeten with honey to taste, if preferred. Take up to 4 cups a day as needed.
Puritan’s Pride sells Turmeric for a reasonable cost–with their buy one get one free offer that they always have.
As we all know, what is put on our skin does make it into our blood stream. I would try mixing the turmeric into a lotion or cream and see if that would alleviate the pain. I’ve recently been working white willow bark powder into a scar tissue dissolving cream and it seems to be working, the scars are disappearing and there isn’t any pain in the areas I’ve used it on.
Whoa. You’re disappearing scars?? PLEASE tell me more about that!! I have some nasty scars I’ve been wanting to do something with for years but have never known where to start. Anything you can share about this would be amazing!
sorry not familiar with turmeric – I just try and use whatever I can in creams and lotions – it avoids the whole digestive system. As far as scar tissue I’m currently using a combination of caster oil, rose hip, sunflower, avocado, camellia, murmur butter, bees wax, kukum butter as the oil base, the essential oils are a mix of geranium rose, grapefruit, citronella, sandalwood, basil, elimi and helichrysum. I’ve been testing it for about 2 weeks and it is dissolving a growth in my husband hand that the doctor wanted to operate on. My friend’s scars from her double mastectomy reconstruction have disappeared by 1/3 without a trace.
Wow. Do you know which of those ingredients would be most effective? I don’t have most of those things but I would love to try a simpler version of that. thanks for replying! 🙂
I know my formulas are getting out of control. Caster oil, rose hip are common and work great. The camilla oil is great for scars and kuku butter is great for restructuring and skin elasticity. Any oil that has restructuring properties or labeled as good for mature skin would work well. As far as essential oils – in addition to what I used you may like lavender, elemi, galbanum, mandarin, palmarosa, patchouli, rosewood, lemon, cypress, eucalyptus. Any of these are definitely worth a try. The normal recommendation is an average of 3 to 4 essential oils. Most of the ingredients are available from mountain rose and from nature with love and will work in many other creams and lotions for a wide variety of uses. If you can try and massage the area (or get someone else to) with your creation it will help break it up and increase circulation to the area. You can simply add the essential oils into the base oils you choose instead of going through the whole process of making a lotion or a cream. Also try and apply the mix twice a day. Hope this helps – it’s amazing what these plants are able to do for us…..
awesome. so you used these things in addition to white willow bark powder? do you need a lot of the powder in proportion to the other things? sorry if I have too many questions–I’ve never heard anything about healing scars before. do you have any books or websites on the topic that you would recommend?
I put in 1/8 tsp white willow bark in the mix that made 2 ounces. I used it in case there was any pain associated with my husband’s problem because the scar tissue growth was so hard and thick. I know it has benefits for acne which I purchased it for in addition to pain relief. As far as books – I love Valerie Worwood’s book – From Nature With Love’s site is great for information.
I’m curious what kind of progress you’re making on your husband’s hand growth–do you think it’s possible to make a scar or growth go away completely, or do these things just make them look healthier and maybe smaller?
Goodness me have you seen turmeric?! You will stain your skin yellow if you rub it in and leave it! I love love love cooking with it but it is responsible for many a yellow stain in my kitchen
I never heard of using turmeric for pain. Awesome!
I’ve linked up a post with several natural pain remedies along with some thoughts on why we (as a society) need to rethink pain in general.
Hi Crunchy Betty! These are two great tips. I chuckled when I pictured the baking soda all over your closet floor (and at the fact your wall-in closet filled up so fast 😮
I’ve been using baking soda for things like scrubbing pans and washing bath tubs. I love how it feels clean and not chemical-laden. Essential oils are a staple around here too! Here’s a new idea for your poppers; mix the baking soda and essential oil and open it up under warm running water in your bathtub!
I’ve heard of turmeric lately too – thanks for this tip.
Lori
I have so enjoyed Outside the Box Tuesdays! Any chance you’ll do this again???? Please Please Please……
I take turmeric in golden milk-heat a cup of milk with about a teaspoon of turmeric and some honey/sugar/maple syrup. It sounds weird, but it is totally delicious.
It’s also good with chai spices added(cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger)
http://www.chiffonadeofparsley.com
Loving your baking soda idea – I am most definitely trying it! I have so many uses for baking soda, I keep a pot in my kitchen and bathroom! It’s the best thing for scrubbing difficult bathtubs, and of course there’s the BS/vinegar drain cleaner! I’ve made a toothpaste mixing a little castille soap, BS and spearmint oil, which works like a dream.
I find a pinch of soda gently massaged into my face after washing the best exfoliant and health/environmentally friendly. Bonus!
I just posted 2 links: 1 using garlic for earache and one using chamomile tea bags for itchiness and irritation around the eye area
I just added 2 links: one about using chamomile tea bags as a poultice for itchiness and irritation around the eye area, and one about how putting garlic in your ear helps earache.
yes! garlic or onion juice help with earaches.