Culturally, natron was generally thought to enhance spiritual safety for both the living and the dead. Moreover, when exposed to moisture the bicarbonate in natron increases pH, which creates a hostile environment for bacteria. The mineral was used in Egyptian mummification because it absorbs water and behaves as a drying agent. It was also an ancient household insecticide.
Natron can be used to dry and preserve fish and meat. The mineral was mixed into early antiseptics for wounds and minor cuts. Undiluted, natron was a cleanser for the teeth and an early mouthwash. It softens water whilst removing oil, grease and alcohol stains. Blended with oil, it was an early form of soap. Historical natron was harvested directly as a salt mixture from dry lake beds in ancient Egypt and has been used for thousands of years as a cleaning product for both the home and body. The modern chemical symbol for sodium, Na, is an abbreviation of that element's new Latin name natrium, which was derived from natron. The English word natron is a French cognate derived from the Spanish natrón through the Arabic natrun from Greek nitron which derived from the Ancient Egyptian word netjeri, stemming from Wadi El Natrun, Egypt.
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