Borax, a naturally occurring compound rich in boron, has become famous for its numerous health benefits and reported success in addressing chronic illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases, hormone imbalances, and chronic pain. Its active ingredient, sodium borate, is an anti-inflammatory agent that effectively treats inflammatory diseases like arthritis, gout, and swollen gums, as well as bladder infections, urinary tract infections, and other specific ailments. Borax is also commonly used to treat conditions like cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, arterial disease, and osteoporosis, with boron playing a crucial role in its efficacy.
This article explores the well-researched health benefits of borax, focusing on its boron content, which significantly contributes to its therapeutic effects.
What is Borax?
Borax is a naturally occurring compound found worldwide, with mines in the United States, China, Ukraine, Turkey, and India. (1)
Common Names for Borax:
Sodium tetraborate
Sodium borate
Disodium tetraborate
The chemical formula for borax is Na2B4O7·10H2O, comprising sodium, boron, oxygen, and hydrogen. Borax is known by various names, but they all refer to the same chemical compound.
Borax Mining
The Rio Tinto Borax Mine in Boron, California, is the largest known borax mine, with reserves estimated to last until 2050. (2)
Borax Health Benefits
Surprisingly, thousands of people worldwide consume a liquid borax solution as a natural daily remedy for numerous health conditions. Borax is a natural substance mined from the earth, similar to salt. It contains boron, a trace mineral, which may be lacking in modern diets. (3) Research has shown that restoring healthy boron levels can improve health conditions like arthritis. (4)
Additionally, borax is quite alkaline. Many health problems arise because the body is too acidic.
Health Issues That Benefit from Borax:
Arthritis
Trigger Finger and Trigger Thumb
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Bone Spurs
Calcium Deposits
Lupus
Autoimmune Disease
Hormone Imbalances
Fungus
Candida
Ringworm
Tinea Versicolor
Insomnia
Rough Skin
Impotence
To function properly, the body relies on essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. Boron, a trace mineral in borax, is necessary for proper hormone function and calcium-magnesium balance. (5) Many diseases today are related to simple nutritional deficiencies, and restoring a low nutrient like boron can significantly improve overall health. (6)
Arthritis and Bone Health
Borax's high boron content makes it an effective treatment for arthritis and other bone-related issues. Studies have shown that increased boron intake can help alleviate arthritis symptoms and improve bone density, improving overall bone health. (7)
Hormonal Imbalances
Boron, an essential trace mineral found in borax, is vital in maintaining hormonal balance. By consuming borax, individuals with hormone imbalances may experience an improvement in their symptoms, leading to better overall health. (8, 9)
Antifungal Properties
The antifungal properties of borax make it an effective remedy for various fungal infections, such as candida, ringworm, and tinea versicolor. Using borax topically or consuming it in small amounts can help fight these infections and promote healing. (10)
Sleep Improvement
Borax's alkaline nature and trace mineral content may help improve sleep quality for some individuals. Borax can alleviate insomnia and promote restful sleep by balancing the body's pH levels and providing essential minerals. (11)
Borax Dosage for Men and Women
Borax powder is about 11.3% boron, meaning a ¼ teaspoon contains approximately 113 mg of boron. Ted from Earth Clinic recommends a daily dose of ¼ teaspoon of borax in 1 liter of water for men and 1/8 teaspoon of borax in 1 liter for women. This equates to men consuming about 113 mg of boron daily while women consume around 56 mg daily.
When calculating for a sip (approximately 15 ml), you would get about 1.7 mg of boron per sip from the solution prepared for men (¼ teaspoon of borax in 1 liter of water) and about 0.84 mg of boron per sip from the solution prepared for women (1/8 teaspoon of borax in 1 liter of water).
Another method of dosing borax, recommended by Walter Last, involves adding a heaping teaspoon of borax to a liter of water and taking one or two teaspoons daily with meals, delivering about 3 mg of boron per dose. (12)
Borax Uses
Cleaning
Borax is commonly used as a natural cleaning aid, especially for laundry. Its alkaline pH of 9.3 makes it useful for softening hard water, which can damage clothes and make them difficult to clean. (13) However, adding borax may not be necessary if you already have soft water.
Laundry
Borax is one of the three ingredients in many popular DIY laundry powder recipes. Besides laundry, borax is also used as an eco-friendly cleaning powder for the bathroom. It is particularly helpful for removing hard water stains.
Parasites
Borax is a widely recognized and safe remedy for pest control. It has been used for years to treat various parasites, including lice and mites in humans and mange in dogs and cats. (14) When borax is applied to the skin, it dehydrates and suffocates the parasites, making it an effective and natural treatment option.
Hair Care
Borax has become popular as a shampoo alternative. Various chemicals in shampoos and health conditions that affect the scalp have motivated many people to turn to hair care's "no-poo" method.
Borax is not only a natural alternative to chemical-laden shampoos because of its alkalinity and anti-fungal properties; it often brings healing to chronic and embarrassing scalp conditions.
Borax Instructions for Hair
To use borax for your hair, dissolve 1 cup of borax into one gallon of pure water.
Keep this solution in the shower.
Pour 1-2 cups of this solution over your hair (instead of shampoo), ensuring the solution gets to your scalp.
Allow the solution to sit on your scalp and hair for a few minutes, and then rinse.
If you find the borax method dries out your hair, take a small amount of coconut oil and massage it into your hair. You may not need to use the borax solution on your hair more than once or twice a week.
Boron Deficiency: An In-Depth Look
Boron deficiency is a critical yet often overlooked issue that can significantly impact overall health and well-being. As an essential trace mineral, boron is involved in various biological processes, including bone formation, hormone regulation, and cell membrane maintenance. This section will provide a more comprehensive analysis of boron deficiency, including its causes, symptoms, and potential health consequences.
Causes of Boron Deficiency
Several factors can contribute to boron deficiency, such as:
Poor diet: Consuming a diet low in boron-rich foods, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, can lead to insufficient boron intake.
Soil depletion: The depletion of minerals in the soil due to modern agricultural practices can result in reduced boron content in the crops grown on that soil, ultimately affecting the boron levels in our food.
Reduced bioavailability: Certain factors, like high levels of calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus, can interfere with boron absorption in the body, leading to reduced bioavailability and, subsequently, deficiency.
Health conditions: Some medical conditions, such as kidney disease or malabsorption disorders, can impair the body's ability to absorb and utilize boron effectively.
Symptoms of Boron Deficiency
A lack of boron in the body can result in various symptoms, which can manifest differently depending on the individual. These symptoms may include:
Brittle bones: Boron plays a crucial role in bone health, and deficiency can result in weakened bones that are more prone to fractures.
Joint pain and inflammation: Inadequate boron levels can contribute to joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, as boron helps regulate inflammatory processes within the body.
Muscle weakness and fatigue: Boron deficiency can reduce muscle strength, endurance, and overall energy levels.
Hormonal imbalances: Boron is essential for maintaining proper hormone balance, particularly in regulating estrogen and testosterone. Deficiency can result in hormonal imbalances, which can manifest as symptoms like mood swings, weight gain, or low libido.
Impaired cognitive function: Low boron levels can affect brain health and cognitive function, leading to memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and reduced mental alertness.
Poor immune function: Boron supports the immune system, and deficiency can make individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
Health Consequences of Boron Deficiency
If left unaddressed, boron deficiency can have several long-term health consequences, including:
Osteoporosis: Chronic boron deficiency can contribute to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low bone mass and an increased risk of fractures.
Arthritis: Insufficient boron intake can exacerbate arthritis symptoms, leading to increased joint pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
Hormone-related disorders: Prolonged boron deficiency can increase the risk of hormone-related disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and prostate issues.
Cognitive decline: Long-term boron deficiency can contribute to age-related cognitive decline and an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's
Restoring Boron Levels with Borax
Supplementing with borax, which contains a rich boron content, can help address boron deficiency and improve overall health. By incorporating borax into their health regimen, individuals can effectively restore their boron levels and alleviate symptoms associated with deficiency.
In addition to supplementing with borax, individuals can improve their boron levels by incorporating boron-rich foods into their diet. Some of these foods include:
Fruits: Boron is abundant in many fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, cherries, plums, and dried fruits like raisins and prunes.
Vegetables: Certain vegetables, like broccoli, kale, spinach, and beetroot, are good sources of boron.
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are rich in boron and can be easily incorporated into the diet.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are excellent sources of boron and can be included in various meals.
Grains: Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, and oats, can provide a good amount of boron.
Avocado: This nutrient-dense fruit is also a good source of boron and can be added to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies.
By incorporating these foods into their daily diet, individuals can help prevent boron deficiency and promote overall health. Additionally, it is essential to maintain a balanced and varied diet, as other nutrients also play a crucial role in supporting the body's functions.
It is also worth noting that excessive boron intake can lead to toxicity, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash. While the risk of boron toxicity from food sources is low, following the recommended dosages when supplementing with borax or other boron supplements is essential to avoid adverse effects.
In conclusion, understanding the importance of boron and addressing any deficiency can significantly impact overall health and well-being. By ensuring adequate boron intake through diet or supplementation, individuals can support various biological processes, including bone health, hormonal regulation, and cognitive function. .(15)
Borax Detox
Borax can play a role in detoxifying the body thanks to its alkaline nature and anti-inflammatory properties. (16)
How Borax Helps with Detoxification
A borax detox can help neutralize acidic waste products in the body, support the elimination of toxins, and improve overall health. Regular use of borax may promote better digestion, clearer skin, and improved energy levels.
Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a detox regimen, and remember to stay hydrated during the process.
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