Borax
Introduction
Borax's properties
Borax as a remedy
How to use borax
Internal uses
External uses
References
Introduction to Borax
Borax (sodium tetraborate hexahydrate or sodium borate) is a naturally-occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. It has been used for over 4000 years. It is found in large quantities in the Western United States, in Mediterranean countries, Kazakhstan, and the Tibet region of China. Turkey is one of the largest commercial producers of borates.
Most people get between 1.7 and 7 mg per day, mostly from fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables. It is likely that this level represents a severe deficiency, with the deficiency being worse for people living in those areas where there is little or no boron in the soil.
Warning - do not confuse borax and boric acid. Boric acid is toxic.
Borax's properties
Borax is a potent and effective remedy that deserves to be widely used, and should be in every home:
- Protect's you from Fluorides. Borax protects against the accumulation of fluorides in the body; is effective as an antidote in fluoride toxicity; and can remove fluorides from the body. (1,2,3,4,5)
- Anti-microbial. Borax is toxic to insects, parasites, protozoa and bacteria
- Fungicide. Effective against moulds and fungi, internally and externally
- Hormone normaliser. Stimulates the production of hormones
- As an Immune system enhancer
- Reduction and control of inflammation
- Aphrodisiac for men and women
- Stabiliser of calcium, copper and magnesium levels, inhibits calcification
- Improves attention, both short and long term memory, perception, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity.
Borax as a remedy
Borax has successfully been used as a remedy for a variety of ailments. (7) You can use it for both prevention and treatment.
- Rheumatiod arthritis. This is and inflammatory autoimmune disease whereby the body attacks its own joints, causing degeneration and deformity. It is more common in women, and can occur at any age. Often it develops into osteo arthritis. Work by Prof Roger Wyburn-Mason identified an amoeba in the joint as the cause in certain susceptible people. Boron is an effective control and cure.
- Osteo arthritis is a wearing away of the joints, particularly those that have been subject to trauma, infection or over-use when injured. It is more common in men. The cartilage or tough fibrous matter around the joint wears away and the bones rub against each other, causing pain and and further permanent damage to the joint.
- Osteoporosis (decalcification of the bones) or osteopenia.
- Blood lipid disorders (high blood pressure, arterial diseases)
- Obesity
- Cancer (6)
- Pyorrhoea (loose teeth with swollen gums). This is really an arthritis of the teeth and gums.
- Spondylitis (arthritis of the spine with inflammation in the joints). Calcium is lost from the spinal vertebrae, leading to fusion and disc degeneration. Spondylitis responds to mineral treatments, particularly boron.
- Gout. Boron is an effective remedy.
How to use borax
You can buy it in the laundry detergent section of your supermarket. Brand Names: 20 Mule Team (USA), Boraxo (USA, Mexico), Hovex (Australia).
You may be concerned about the warnings on borax containers and some of what you read on the internet. However, borax's toxicity of 100 mg per kg of bodyweight is not substantially more than that of sodium chloride (salt). Warning - do not confuse borax with boric acid. Boric acid is toxic.
Borax is absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes. It is not a good idea to bathe in it, because large quantities can readily be taken up (unless a measured, small quantity is added to the bath).
How to take Borax internally
Add 1/16 of a level teaspoon (250 mg) of borax to one litre of water. Drink this water throughout the day. Borax seems to work synergistically with magnesium, so keep your magnesium intake up whilst using Borax. See Magnesium.
How to use Borax externally
Saturate water with borax crystals (ie keep adding them to water until no more dissolve). Apply this to problem areas on the skin, and surrounding hair.
Some people have found the solution is more effective by adding 1% hydrogen peroxide to the above solution.
Apply the solution to the skin, and leave it on without rinsing. It tends to cause drying, so you may want to add aloe vera, jojoba oil or lavender oil later.
Interestingly, dog mange is caused by demodex mites and the effective treatment is the above 1% hydrogen peroxide and borax saturated solution applied topically.
References
1. Elsair J, Merad R, Denine R, Reggabi M, Alamir B, Benali S, Azzouz M, Khelfat K.
Boron as a preventive antidote in acute and subacute fluoride intoxication in rabbits: its action on fluoride and
calcium-phosphorus metabolism.
Fluoride 13:129-138 (1980).
2. Elsair J, Merad R, Denine R, Reggabi M, Benali S, Azzouz M, Khelfat K, Tabet Aoul M.
Boron as an antidote in acute fluoride intoxication in rabbits: its action on the fluoride and calcium-phosphorus metabolism.
Fluoride 13:30-38 (1980).
3. Elsair J, Merad R, Denine R, Azzouz M, Khelfat K, Hamrour M, Alamir B, Benali S, Reggabi M.
Boron as antidote to fluoride: effect on bones and claws in subacute intoxication of rabbits.
Fluoride 14:21-29 (1981).
4. Elsair J, Merad R, Denine R, Reggabi M, Benali S, Hamrour HM, Azzouz M, Khalfat K, Tabet Aoul M, Nauer J.
Action of boron upon fluorosis: An experimental study.
Fluoride 15:75-78 (1982).
5. Franke J, Runge H, Bech R, Wiedner W, Kramer W, Kochmann W, Hennig A, Ludke H, Seffner W, Teubner W, Franke M, Moritz W,
Barthold L, Geinitz D.
Boron as an antidote to fluorosis? Part I. Studies on the skeletal system.
Fluoride 18: 187-197 (1985).
6. Hall, Iris et al.
Ongoing research on boranes and other borax compounds, Division of medical chemistry, University of North Carolina.
7. Newnham, Rex.
Away with Arthritis.
2nd edition printed 1993.