What is baking soda good for?

Leavening: Leavening in baking. Absorbs odors. Mild cleaning agent. A not very effective dentifrice.

Baking Soda or: Sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) is often used topically in a paste water to decrease itching or inflammation (especially in association with certain insect stings) and is often an additive to toothpastes. There are other medicinal uses as well. Here's a good article: http://www.Healthguidance.Org/entry/15156/1/health-benefits-of-baking-soda.Html.