Natron is also the mineralogical name for the compound sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na 2CO 3 ♱0H 2O), which is the main component in historical natron. Some of its ancient household roles are also now filled by ordinary baking soda, natron's other meaningful ingredient. Soda ash also replaced natron in glass-making. Natron's detergent properties are now commercially supplied by soda ash, the mixture's chief compound ingredient, along with other chemicals. Most of natron's uses both in the home and by industry were replaced in time with closely related sodium compounds and minerals. The mineral was also used as a flux to solder precious metals together. It was used with sand and lime in ceramic and glass-making by the Romans and others at least until 640 CE. Natron is an ingredient for making a color called Egyptian blue. Natron was added to castor oil to make a smokeless fuel, which allowed Egyptian artisans to paint artworks inside ancient tombs without staining them with soot. In some cultures, natron was thought to keep both the living and the dead spiritually safe.
Also, when exposed to moisture the carbonate in natron increases pH, which makes a good environment for bacteria. The mineral was used in Egyptian mummification because it absorbs water and was a drying agent.
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