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25 Survival Uses for Baking Soda

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survival uses for baking soda

Ah the humble baking soda. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is an incredibly versatile and widely available household product that usually just sits there quietly in your kitchen cabinet.

But did you know that this unassuming white powder can be a true lifesaver in a variety of survival situations? It’s true!

This cheap and unassuming pantry staple is a must-have in any emergency preparedness kit.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 25 ingenious survival uses of baking soda that can help you out in a pinch.

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25 Survival Uses for Baking Soda

  1. Fire Extinguisher

When mixed with water, baking soda can be used to smother small fires. It releases carbon dioxide when heated, which helps extinguish flames.

  1. Water Purification

Baking soda can be used to neutralize acidic water, making it safer to drink by balancing its pH levels.

  1. Deodorant
homemade deodorant with baking soda and coconut oil

In a pinch, baking soda can help control body odor by acting as a natural deodorant. You can mix it with coconut oil for an even more effective deodorant.

  1. Toothpaste

Mixing a small amount of baking soda with water creates a makeshift toothpaste that can help keep your teeth clean in emergency situations.

  1. Insect Bites and Stings

Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water, and apply it to insect bites and stings for relief from itching and discomfort.

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  1. Poison Ivy/Oak Relief

Baking soda can alleviate the itchiness caused by poison ivy or oak when applied as a paste or added to a bath.

  1. Sunburn Relief

Add baking soda to a cool bath to soothe sunburned skin and reduce redness.

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  1. Hand Cleanser

If soap and water are scarce, use baking soda to scrub your hands clean.

  1. Foul Odor Eliminator
bowl of baking soda on the floor of a musty basement

Place an open box of baking soda in an area with unwanted odors, like a closet or musty basement, to absorb and neutralize the smell.

  1. Fridge Deodorizer

Keep your food storage fresh by placing a small box of baking soda in your refrigerator. (Don’t forget to keep a box handy in your bug out location.)

  1. Rust Remover

Baking soda can be used as an abrasive cleaner to remove rust from metal surfaces such as grills and tools. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water, apply it to the rusty area, and scrub with a brush or cloth. This can help restore the functionality and appearance of metal tools or equipment in a survival situation.

  1. Cleaning Agent

Baking soda is an effective abrasive cleaner that can remove stains, mold, and grime from various surfaces.

  1. Stain Remover

For stubborn stains on clothing or carpets, make a paste with baking soda and water, then scrub gently.

  1. Natural Pesticide
baking soda to repel garden bugs

Sprinkle baking soda around plants and garden beds to deter pests like slugs and snails, or around windows and doors to deter ants.

  1. Heartburn Relief

Baking soda can help alleviate heartburn or indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid. However, use this sparingly.

  1. Jellyfish Sting Relief

Create a paste with baking soda and water to ease the pain and discomfort of jellyfish stings.

  1. Dishwashing
baking soda for washing dishes

In a survival situation, use baking soda as a substitute for dishwashing detergent.

  1. Hand Sanitizer

Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a makeshift hand sanitizer.

  1. Homemade Shampoo

Baking soda can be used as a shampoo alternative in case commercial shampoos are unavailable.

  1. Emergency Food

Don’t forget baking soda’s most obvious use! It can be used as a leavening agent to make bread, biscuits, and pancakes when combined with other basic ingredients.

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  1. Firearm Cleaning

Use baking soda as an abrasive cleaner to remove residue and fouling from firearms.

  1. Foot Care

Soak your feet in a warm water and baking soda solution to relieve foot odor and discomfort.

  1. Diaper Rash Treatment

For infants, a baking soda and water paste can help alleviate diaper rash.

  1. Minor Wound Care
baking soda for wound care

Create a paste to clean and disinfect minor wounds, reducing the risk of infection.

  1. Homemade Soap

In an emergency, you can make a simple soap with baking soda, water, and essential oils.

Does it Matter What Type/Brand of Baking Soda You Use?

All baking soda has the same chemical formulation of sodium bicarbonate. For everyday non-cooking uses, you can just buy the cheapest type.

Since it’s so useful, I like buying it in bulk to have on hand for emergency survival situations.

Closing Thoughts on Baking Soda Survival Uses

Baking soda, with its incredible versatility and numerous survival uses, is truly a household miracle.

Whether you’re facing a natural disaster, camping in the wilderness, or just dealing with everyday inconveniences, baking soda is a reliable and cost-effective tool to have in your survival kit.

It’s definitely a valuable asset when you need it most. So, next time you’re grocery shopping, make sure to pick up several boxes of this versatile powder that can make all the difference in a crisis.

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These Surprising Uses of Pine Sap Could Save Your Life

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how to use pine sap

Everyone is familiar with pine trees, but did you know that the sticky sap from a pine tree has some really cool uses? Here we go over how to use pine sap when you’re camping and for survival purposes.

Pine sap is a sticky, viscous substance that is secreted by pine trees. It is composed of water, sugars, and resin acids. When tapped from the tree, it can be used for an amazing variety of purposes.

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How to collect pine sap

There are a few different ways to collect pine sap. The most common method is to tap the tree, which involves drilling a small hole into the tree and collecting the sap that drips out.

Another way to collect pine sap is to simply gather it from the ground beneath the tree. This can be done by using a shovel or trowel to dig around the base of the tree until you find a pocket of sap. Once you’ve found some sap, you can scrape it off of the bark or leaves and into a container.

pine branches

Finally, you can also collect pine sap by cutting into the tree itself. This is generally not recommended, as it can damage the tree, but if you’re careful you can cut a V-shaped notch into the bark and collect the sap that runs out.

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What can pine sap be used for?

Pine sap can be used for a variety of useful purposes, including:

  • Making homemade glue
  • Starting a fire
  • Building a shelter
  • Sealing minor cuts and wounds
  • As a natural insecticide
  • To make a nutritious food or candy

Making glue with pine sap

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own glue, here’s a recipe using pine sap. All you need is some pine sap and water.

To start, collect some pine sap from a tree. You can do this by making a small cut in the bark of the tree and collecting the sap that comes out. Once you have about a cup of pine sap, add it to a pot of boiling water.

Let the mixture boil for about 15 minutes, or until it starts to thicken. Once it has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Once it’s cooled, your homemade glue is ready to use!

making pine sap glue

Another option for making homemade pine sap glue is to mix pine sap with an equal amount of flour. This mixture can be used to adhere paper or fabric to other surfaces.

Making a fire with pine sap

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to make a fire but don’t have any matches or lighter fluid, pine sap can be a great alternative. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Gather some pine sap from a tree. You can use your hands or a knife to get the sap out of the tree.
  2. Once you have enough pine sap, find some dry grass or leaves and gather them up
  3. Make a small pile of the dry grass or leaves and place the pine sap on top of it
  4. Use a knife or other sharp object to scrape the pine sap onto the dry grass or leaves until they are coated.
  5. Now all you need is a spark to get the fire going! (Carrying a tool like this could be a lifesaver.)

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survival uses of pine sap

Building a shelter with pine sap

When it comes to building an emergency wilderness shelter, one of the most valuable materials you can have is pine sap.

building a shelter with pine sap

Pine sap has several benefits that make it ideal for shelter construction.

First, pine sap is an excellent water repellent. This means that it will help keep your shelter dry and comfortable.

Second, pine sap is also very sticky. This can be helpful in keeping your shelter together and preventing leaks.

Finally, pine sap has a strong scent that can potentially help keep predators away from your shelter.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using pine sap for shelter construction. First, you will need to collect a large amount of pine sap. One tree can provide enough sap for a small shelter. Second, you will need to heat the pine sap before using it. This can be done by placing the sap in a container and setting it over a fire.

Now, it’s time to build your shelter. Start by creating a frame out of sticks or branches. Then, use the pine sap to glue large leaves or pieces of bark to the frame. Make sure to cover the entire shelter to keep rain and wind from getting through.

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Using pine sap to seal wounds

Sealing minor cuts and wounds with pine sap can help to prevent infection. The sticky nature of pine sap helps to keep bandages in place and provides a barrier against bacteria and dirt.

If you find yourself in a pinch and need to seal a wound quickly, pine sap can be a helpful tool. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Gather some pine sap from a tree. You can use your fingers or a knife to scrape it off the bark.
  2. Clean the wound as much as possible with clean water and dry it off.
  3. Apply the pine sap directly to the wound.
  4. Cover the wound with a bandage if possible.
  5. Repeat steps 3-4 as necessary until the wound is fully sealed.
  6. Keep an eye on the wound and make sure it is healing properly.
pine sap for wounds

Pine sap contains a compound called terpene, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Pine sap as an insecticide

Pine sap has a long history of being used as a natural insecticide.

The sticky, gooey substance is effective at trapping and killing insects. Pine sap can be used in its natural state or mixed with other ingredients to create a more potent insecticide. Here are some tips for using pine sap as an insecticide:

  1. Collect pine sap from a tree (see instructions above).
  2. Apply pine sap directly to insects or areas where they’re likely to congregate. For example, you can put a glob of pine sap on a flypaper strip to trap flies.
  3. You can also mix pine sap with water to create a sprayable solution. This is especially effective against aphids and other small insects.
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Using pine sap as a nutritious food

Pine sap contains a wealth of nutrients and antioxidants that can be eaten to boost your health in several ways.

Pine sap is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. It also contains important antioxidants like ellagic acid and ferulic acid. These nutrients work together to boost the immune system, fight inflammation, and protect against cellular damage.

When taken internally, pine sap can help treat respiratory infections, bronchitis, and asthma.

pine sap as food

Pine sap can be eaten fresh from the tree. It has a somewhat sweet flavor that is perfect for adding to dishes as a flavoring agent. It can be added to soups, stews, and sauces to give them a unique flavor.

Pine sap can be used as candy by boiling it down into a syrup. Here’s how to make your own pine sap candy:

  1. Collect pine sap from trees using a clean bucket or container.
  2. Boil the pine sap over moderate heat until it becomes syrupy.
  3. Add sugar, if desired and available.
  4. Pour the syrup onto a clean surface to cool and harden.
  5. Enjoy your delicious homemade pine sap candy!

Final thoughts on how to use pine sap

Pine sap has many uses beyond just making a sticky mess on your hands. It can be used for medical purposes, like a salve for wounds or an infection fighter. It can also be used as a natural adhesive, or even to start a fire.

The next time you’re out hiking and come across a pine tree, take a closer look at the sap seeping from its bark and think about all of the different ways it could be put to use.

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Natural Treatments for Monkeypox

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By now you’ve likely heard about the monkeypox outbreak occurring in several nations, including the United States. Here we cover some facts about monkeypox and potential natural treatment options.

Important Notice

I am not licensed to practice medicine. Nothing contained herein should be taken as medical guidance or advice. By clicking an affiliate link below, I may receive a commission on purchases at no additional cost to you.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a highly contagious viral disease related to smallpox that can cause a number of health disorders, including rashes, fever, and even encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The main feature are unsightly and painful blisters or “pox” on the body.

It has historically been mostly found in western and central Africa where monkeys are commonly found.

Monkeypox is most commonly spread through contact with respiratory secretions, such as saliva and mucus, from an infected person. However, recent cases have reportedly been caused by sexual contact.

Is monkeypox dangerous?

Monkeypox is caused by a virus that can be dangerous to humans.

The death rate is usually around 10%, although it is unknown how lethal is the current global outbreak of monkeypox. It can sometimes cause a severe form of pneumonia, and in some cases, death.

The death rate of some monkeypox outbreaks has been surprisingly high, with an overall mortality rate of close to 20% and in some outbreaks even up to 35%. Monkeypox vaccines are not proven to be effective with the latest strain.

How do you avoid monkeypox?

There is no specific way to avoid monkeypox, since it is a contagious virus that can be contracted from contact with an infected individual.

However, good hygiene practices, such as washing hands thoroughly and avoiding close contact with sick or infected people, can help prevent the spread of monkeypox.

How is monkeypox treated?

There is no specific conventional medical treatment at this time for monkeypox, although antivirals may possibly help.

Treatment to reduce symptoms typically includes rest and hydration, analgesics to relieve symptoms such as pain and intense itching, and topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

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Was monkeypox created in a lab?

It is not clear if the current monkeyprox strain was bioengineered in a lab, but some believe that monkeypox was created in a lab. The virus is closely related to the human smallpox virus, and it is possible that scientists created monkeypox in a lab in an attempt to create a more deadly version of the virus. While there is no solid proof that monkeypox was created in a lab, this is one of the theories behind how the virus originated in its current form.

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It is true that the Nuclear Threat Initiative conducted a “tabletop exercise” in March 2021 based on a hypothetical scenario where a manmade highly lethal strain of monkeypox was to emerge in May 2022, which is when the recent outbreak actually occurred. In this exercise, more than three billion cases were expected to occur and 270 million people were estimated to eventually die worldwide.

Are there natural treatments for monkeypox?

Although few studies have been done testing natural substances against the monkeypox virus, a few plant-derived treatments show some promise in this regard.

Researchers found that resveratrol, a compound found in foods like grapes and blueberries, can inhibit poxviruses including monkeypox.

Blueberries are high in resveratrol

Resveratrol is also found in red wine, but downing glasses of wine to try and treat monkeypox is not advisable. Instead, using a high-quality resveratrol supplement makes more sense.

Sarracenia purpurea, a species of pitcher plant, was also found by researchers to inhibit replication of the smallpox virus. This plant was used by Native Americans in the 1800s to treat smallpox outbreaks in their community. Sarracenia purpurea extract is available in supplement form.

As one of the conditions commonly associated with monkeypox is lympathic swelling, an herbal formula providing lymph support might be useful in combatting a monkeypox infection.

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Final Thoughts on Natural Remedies for Monkeypox

We all hope that the recent outbreak in monkeypox cases will subside and not spread further around the globe.

While monkepox is generally not considered a highly lethal disease, deaths can and do occur each year from this contagious virus.

As conventional medical options are not always available or highly effective, looking at natural plant-based treatments for monkeypox seems reasonable as one option for fighting this illness.

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About the Author

David has a master’s degree in political science with an emphasis in biopolitics.