Borax

What is Borax?

Borax (chemical names are sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate) is a mineral and salt of boric acid and is an essential boron compound. Borax has the same health benefits as boron. Borax was first ever discovered in the 8th Century AD in Tibet. It has been used as a remedy for many ailments for over 4000 years.

Borax is odorless and non-flammable. Powdered borax has a white color and can be easily dissolved in water. Commercially borax has been used in many detergents, cosmetics and most enamel glazes.

The body requires boron but unfortunately due to modern conventional farming and the overuse of chemicals boron is a mineral that can be easily depleted from the soil which is one of the major causes for a deficiency of boron as well as unhealthy cooking methods. Whilst boron supplements can be used for most internal uses borax is a cheaper way of replenishing levels of boron.

Boron is required by the body for various functions. No RDA has been set for boron. Boron can be quickly removed by the body through urine and due to this a daily dietary source of boron is required especially as it is also heavily depleted from the soil due to modern farming methods.

Health Benefits of Borax

Borax can be used for the prevention and treatment of many ailments. The following ailments can be helped by borax:

  • Cancer, especially prevent prostate cancer
  • Candida Overgrowth (Candidadiasis)
  • Dermatitis and psoriasis
  • Swelling of the gums
  • Bladder Infections
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Spondylitis
  • Gout
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Heavy metal toxicity – Chelator
  • Low libido
  • Memory
  • Calcification
  • Wound healing
  • Flouride toxicity
  • Obesity
  • Parasites, bacteria and yeast infection such as Candida
  • Calcium and magnesium deficiency
  • Vision problems
  • Muscle pain and stiffness
  • Balance disorders

 

How to Use Borax                                     

Internal Uses

Borax Concentrate Solution

The borax concentrate solution is for internal use. To make a concentrated borax solution, add one level teaspoon of borax in 1 quart or 1 litre of water. Make sure the solution is mixed thoroughly. It is ideal to use a glass bottle with a lid to avoid any plastic contamination as plastic is a major hormone disruptor.  1 teaspoon of the concentrate solution contains about 7mg of boron. Keep this out of reach from children.

Daily supplementation dosage

For a daily boron supplementation take 3mg – 7mg boron by mixing ½ to 1 teaspoon of Borax Concentrate Solution in a glass of water.

People suffering from arthritis, osteoporosis, menopause or suffer from other problems which may be associated with boron deficiency can take up to 3 times of the standard 3mg dose until the ailment has improved. Once improvement is noted it is best to cut back on dosage to the standard dose of 3mg – 7mg.

Candida, fungi, mycoplasmas and fluoride removal treatment

For treating Candida, other fungi and mycoplasmas, or for removing fluoride from the body for low to medium weight take 100ml of the Borax Concentrate Solution. Drink this spaced out during the day. Depending on your body weight you may have to increase the dosage to 200ml which is recommended for heavier weight. You may mix the Borax Concentrate solution with food or in drinks. Lemon juice may help disguise the taste.

Another measurement for making Borax concentrate solution specifically to help with Candida and other issues that may be caused by boron deficiency for low to medium-weight people is to use 1/8 teaspoon of borax powder in 1 litre of water and for heavier weight use ¼ teaspoon of borax powder in 1 litre of water. Drink this spaced out during the day. Take the maximum amounts for 4 or 5 days a week as long as required, or reduce the maximum dose for one week each month to a minimum dose. Alternatively you can periodically alternate between a low dose and your maximum dose in a different rhythm.

Vaginal thrush
For vaginal thrush you can use a large size gelatine capsule as a suppository. Fill the capsule with borax powder and insert it at bedtime for one to two weeks. Alternatively you can mix the powder with solidified coconut oil and use as a suppository.

External Uses

Saturated Borax Solution

The saturated borax solution is to be used only for external uses. Using a glass jar or container add water. To the water add the borax using a scoop or spoon to avoid inhalation of borax powder. Wait for borax to dissolve. Keep adding borax until it no longer dissolves. This will leave you with a completely saturated borax solution which is a lot stronger and only for external uses. You may use 1 part of 1% hydrogen to 2 parts of water before adding the borax to make this Saturate Borax Solution more effective. Keep this out of reach from children.

Skin fungal / yeast infection

In most skin conditions caused by a fungal or yeast infection apply the Saturated Borax Solution. Leave the solution on the problem area and allow it to dry without rinsing. Use a good natural moisturizer to avoid dryness.

For toe fungus or athlete's foot - wet the feet and rub them with a small amount of borax powder or simply use the Saturated Borax Solution.

General household cleaning - Borax can be mixed with many other cleaning agents to increase their effectiveness as it softens hard water. Hard water make cleaning products less effective.

All purpose household cleaner - Put 2 teaspoons of borax powder in a spray bottle with 2 cups of very hot water. Shake to mix thoroughly and use as an all purpose cleaner.

Laundry washing - Make a natural eco friendly laundry detergent solution

Fungicide -  This method of inhibiting mould is very good to use on areas where mould and mildew is growing but that you don’t need to worry about paint being damaged. Make a thick borax and water paste. Smear it on the mouldy area. Let set until dry (overnight or longer). Sweep up the powder, and rinse off the rest. It is best to remove and prevent the growth of mold around the home to improve your health.

Shampoo for dandruff - Borax is an effective anti-dandruff shampoo. As dandruff is also commonly caused by fungal and yeast overgrowth which can make the scalp itchy this shampoo can help eliminate dandruff. Simply add 1 tbsp of Borax, add 1 to 2 cups of hot water and stir making sure the borax has dissolved. Pour over dry hair slowly working into the hair and scalp for a few minutes. Let this remain in your hair for 15 to 20 minutes before thoroughly rinsing.

Control fleas and ticks in pets - Sprinkle borax on dog beds, carpets, and other areas where you suspect that fleas are hatching. Borax releases boric acid, which is a poison (note that very high doses would need to be ingested to harm a pet or human)

Replenish boron levels in soil for gardening - Boron should not be sprayed directly onto soil as this is deadly to many insects. Instead it can be added to a compost pile for fermentation. Once the compost is ready you can add to the soil to restore levels of boron.

Precautions and Warnings

In order to safely use borax powder it is important to take some extra precautions. Avoid inhaling the powder, if you are pouring borax powder into a different container do so with a mask and goggles to avoid inhaling powder dispersed in the air, this is especially important if you are using it regularly for cleaning purposes. It may safer to use a spoon or scoop rather than pouring the powder.

Borax can cause infertility but this may be due to overuse, using high dosages and for a prolonged period.

Avoid using borax powder in bath water as it is easily absorbed through the skin and would require accurately measuring boron or borax before adding in water in order to avoid absorbing toxicity.

Keep Borax or any solutions made of borax out of reach from children.

Side Effects / Toxicity

In the event of a suspected contamination or ingestion of high amounts seek medical help immediately.

Borax is toxic in very high doses. Powdered borax can cause symptoms if inhaled. If inhaled it can cause the following symptoms:

  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nose bleeds

When exposed to high amounts directly on skin borax can cause dry skin, redness and pain. If eyes are exposed to high amounts in eyes it can also cause redness and pain. All clothing items and any contamination should be removed and contaminated area rinsed thoroughly.

If an incredibly high amount is ingested it can cause the following symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Convulsions
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomitting
  • Weakness

If you have been gradually increasing borax and experiencing the abdominal pain this may be a Herxheimer reaction from eliminating Candida. In this case it is best to reduce the dose or temporarily stop borax intake especially if you cannot tolerate the abdominal pain and consider drinking chamomile tea to reduce the pain.

Where can I buy Borax?

Borax may be available in the laundry and cleaning section of most supermakets, however in the UK and most European countries it is no longer available to the general public. In the USA and Australia it has been banned for therapeutic uses but you can still buy it in the laundry section.

In the UK for all natural household cleaning purposes Borax substitute (sodium sesquicarbonate) is readily available.

In the UK Borax is available to purchase online from www.intralabs.co.uk, www.mistralni.co.uk and www.ebay.co.uk

It is very readily available in most other countries such as Russia, China, Japan and Turkey without any restrictions.

Important notes for buying borax

Make sure no other chemicals, scents or additional ingredients is added and that it has 99.9% purity. Borax substitute (sodium sesquicarbonate) should only be used for cleaning and not internally.