Soda can be attributed to a universal remedy. It is popular in everyday life and cooking as well as in medicine. All thanks to her ability to provide a unique healing and cleansing effect on the human body. All the elements that make up this substance are perfectly safe. Therefore, inhalation with soda is so popular today.
Description of the substance
Sodium carbonate (Na 2 CO 3 ) is a colorless substance consisting of atoms that are arranged in a specific order, which is typical for crystals. High degree of hygroscopicity, as well as the ability to melt at 858 degrees. Speaking of baking or drinking soda, it is known as sodium bicarbonate.
Today, baking soda is known to us in the form of a fine powdery substance, white, odorless, easily soluble in water.
Discovery story
The discovery of soda occurred around 1500-2000 BC. Then its extraction was carried out from soda lakes and in the form of minerals thermonatrite, natron, thrones.
Confirmation of the discovery and extraction of soda, thanks to the evaporation of water, was the record of medicinal substances of the Roman physician Dioscorides Pedania. Until the 18th century, alchemists and doctors perceived soda as a substance that produced a specific hiss and gas when combined with acetic and sulfuric acids. Today, however, it is obvious to everyone that, as a result of a chemical reaction, gaseous carbon dioxide is released, which provokes a specific hiss.
Even the contemporaries of Dioscorides Pedania did not know anything about the composition of soda, since carbon dioxide was discovered only 600 years later by the Dutch chemist Jan van Helmont, who called the discovery - forest gas.
Mining attempts
Only in the 18th century did they learn to extract soda artificially, determining the composition in its purest form. The chemist Henri Louis Duhamel de Monceau, using the crystallization method, was able to isolate soda in its pure form in 1736, and also determined the element "soda" in the composition. And in 1737, Duhamel, together with Andreas Sigismund Marggrave, proved that potassium carbonate and soda are different.
The scientist also tried to get soda artificially, acting on sodium sulfate with acetic acid, but, unfortunately, Duhamel did not assume that sulfuric acid cannot be replaced with acetic acid from salts, since the latter is a weak substance.
And for example, Marggraf, trying to artificially produce soda, heated the combined charcoal with sodium nitrate, resulting in an outbreak. Thanks to this attempt, the scientist burned his face with his hands, not suspecting that such a combination of substances allows to obtain gunpowder.
But, if we talk about the industrial production of soda, then the discovery belongs to Russia. The discovery took place in 1764 in Taltsinsk at the glass factory of the chemist Eric Gustav Laxman, who established that the combination of charcoal with natural sodium sulfate leads to soda. By the way, as a result of this reaction, a pair of gaseous substances is formed: carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Despite the fact that the scientist managed to get soda, his method did not receive further fame and active use, rather, on the contrary, he was forgotten.
The scientist Lebman was able to get soda by fusing sodium sulfate, calcium carbonate and charcoal. Thanks to coal, sodium sulfate was reduced, and after complete burning of coal and carbon monoxide, the cooled mixture was treated with water. Thus, calcium sulfide remained in the sediment, and sodium carbonate passed into solution.
It was this technology in 1789 that Lebman proposed to his patient, the Duke Philip of Orleans, who signed the contract and allocated 200 thousand silver livres for the construction of the plant - Franciada-Soda Lebman.
Unfortunately, during the French Revolution, the duke was executed, property was confiscated, the factory and patent became the property of the state. After a few years, the plant was nevertheless returned to Lebman, but it was ruined and required huge funding in order to restore production.
And although the scientist was no longer able to resume the production process, his technology became famous in Europe.
Chemical engineer Ernest Solve is a fateful competitor. He discovered a new method for the production of soda - ammonia. Its main advantages are economy of production, the best quality of soda, and minimal damage to the environment. Unable to withstand such competition, the Lebman factories began to close.
Today, more than 200 million tons of soda are produced annually. The substance has found its application in many areas: the production of detergents, glassmaking, aluminum production, refining of petroleum products and pulp and paper production, as well as a source of carbon dioxide for baking, carbonated drinks and even fire extinguishers. And the medical field of application of soda requires a separate consideration.
Properties of food soda
Perhaps the most important advantage of using sodium carbonate for medical purposes is the antibacterial and antifungal effect. Everyone knows that pathogenic microflora has no chance of development in an acidic and alkaline environment. If the human body has an acid-base balance, then parasites, viruses and bacteria are difficult to progress.
It is soda that helps create the necessary alkaline environment. In this regard, sodium carbonate is used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases:
- oncology;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- kidney stones, urinary and gall bladders;
- deposits in the joints;
- conjunctivitis;
- fungal infection of the hands and feet;
- bronchopulmonary ailments.
In this case, soda can be used both internally and externally, making porridge-like solutions. I would also like to note a very effective procedure - inhalation with soda.
Sodium carbonate is one of the proven, affordable and cheap analogues of medicines during colds. If the first symptoms are already obvious - a runny nose, cough, but there is no temperature, then do not immediately grab onto medications. Spend some home inhalations with soda. Relief will come immediately after the first procedure.
Therapeutic effect of soda
Inhaling fumes during inhalation with soda, microorganisms with medicinal substances enter the body. They are able to favorably envelop the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, cleansing the maxillary sinuses, reducing swelling, dryness of the nasopharynx and promoting the elimination of sputum. Very effective inhalation with soda when coughing. The alkaline effect of sodium carbonate reduces the acidity in the human body, leading to the death of viruses and bacteria.
How to make inhalation with soda
The procedure should be carried out one hour before eating, or two hours after eating. Time no more than 10 minutes. In order to carry out inhalation with soda at home, you will need:
- water is only fresh;
- baking soda;
- pan (bowl)
- towel.
The water is heated. It is worth paying attention that the water temperature should not be higher than 60 degrees, since high temperature destroys all the useful properties of soda, and also when you inhale, you can burn the mucous membrane. Then, soda is dissolved in a container in a ratio of 1: 1 (add 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter of boiled water). Located above the pan, cover your head with a towel.
When treating the nasopharynx, inhale the vapors with the nose, slowly and calmly. If the treatment is cough, then the vapors should be inhaled by the mouth, while holding the air for a few seconds, then exhale calmly. Do not swallow the air too deep.
After inhalation with soda, you must at least not go outside for at least an hour. Bed rest will be appropriate. At the same time, you should refrain from talking, so as not to overstrain the vocal cords.
You can also do inhalation with soda for children, but only under the close supervision of adults! The time of the procedure is reduced to 5 minutes.
Inhalation using the device
It will be much easier to take inhalations with soda in a nebulizer. The procedure is carried out with a special soda solution "Soda-buffer", which is diluted with saline. Very important: use the solution for inhalation is strictly according to the instructions.
The mechanism of inhalation using a neublizer is similar to the standard algorithm: holding one hour before a meal, or two hours after the last meal; bed rest; voice peace.
An advantage with hardware inhalation with soda is the ability to add extracts of chamomile, aminophylline, sage and other medicinal plants even at elevated body temperature of the patient. Also, the use of a nebulizer is not prohibited for infants.
Contraindications
Inhalations with soda when coughing at home are completely safe, but still there are some warnings and they should be considered before starting therapy:
- individual intolerance to the substance (allergic reaction);
- patient's temperature is above 37 degrees;
- predisposition to nosebleeds;
- signs of pus in sputum.
During pregnancy, it is worthwhile to carry out the procedure with extreme caution, since a provocation of the gag reflex is possible. It is also worth completely eliminating iodine.
Solutions for inhalation
Inhalation with soda is a proven classic! For various inflammations, it is recommended to carry out steam inhalation by mixing soda with other medicinal substances, for example:
- soda with salt - such a duet fights inflammation of the larynx;
- soda with iodine - these components are effective for inflammation of the bronchi, dry cough, sore throat and nasal congestion;
- soda with potatoes - perfectly fights with wet and dry coughs, warming the larynx and eliminates tickling / hoarseness; dilutes accumulated mucus and naturally removes.
You can also add various essential oils that will affect the mucous membranes with a softening and moisturizing effect.
Reviews
Patient reviews about inhalations with soda confirm the effectiveness of this procedure. Many note the result even in chronic diseases of the bronchi. With regular inhalation therapy, the result is not long in coming: the swelling of the mucous membranes is reduced; tickling and tickling are eliminated; sputum becomes less viscous and better expectorated.
The main thing - do not neglect the consultation with a specialist and contraindications before inhalation with soda.