I started using baking soda as a hair rinse to control psoriasis on my scalp. After one week, my symptoms were gone! There has also been some really interesting cancer treatments by an oncologist in Italy using baking soda (www.curenaturalicancro.com/)

from Wikipedia:
The ancient Egyptians used natural deposits of natron, a mixture consisting mostly of sodium carbonate decahydrate and sodium bicarbonate. The natron was used as a cleansing agent like soap.

In 1791, a French chemist produced sodium bicarbonate as we know it today. But it was only in 1846 that two New York bakers, John Dwight and Austin Church, developed the process of making baking soda from sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide.[1] Each started a company, and the two companies later merged to form Church & Dwight, the makers of Arm & Hammer baking soda.

Sodium bicarbonate may also be used as an anti-fungal for dandruff caused by fungus.[citation needed]

Sodium bicarbonate is being used by many as an alternative to commercial deodorants and anti-perspirants. This may be due to a growing, media-spread concern that most commercially available products contain cancer-causing ingredients.

Sodium bicarbonate is also being used as an alternative to shampoo; one of the many reasons for this is widespread awareness of the impact of plastic shampoo bottles on the environment.