[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/16/2010: Piper from Toronto, On: "I had an itchy scalp and problems with acne and was using borax to cleanse mites and parasites - borax water 1/8 tsp in a litre of water and borax baths. I also used borax to clean home and in laundry. I was doing the borax regime for a couple of weeks and I started to experience hair loss and that may indicate kidney problems. I have now stopped drinking borax water. I do use Ted's mange cure for a facial wash and it is great. Any signal from your body should be heeded. Borax may help, but too much may not be good either."

09/16/2010: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "If you think it's causing kidney problem stopping them is just fine. Boron increases both magnesium and calcium retention for the bones. Too much might cause kidney pain. However, I haven't had a single case of problem at that dose here in Bangkok. For most women the average dose is about 1/8 teaspoon taken for only a month. Most kidney pain I have encountered with had do to with taking excessive calcium, which can really cause kidney pain and muscle pain. So obviously foods high in calcium with borax supplements may worsen the condition of kidney pain that way. Calcium deposits occur if too much diets are high in that, usually found eating coral calcium, potatoes (high in calcium) and nearly all calcium supplements. Obviously the antidote for excessive calcium retention is to take lemon juice for an entire day for about 2 to 4 days. This will significantly reduced calcium retention from either taking too much calcium, or diets too much with boron and calcium.

Ted"

09/16/2010: John from Greenport, New York, Usa replies: "Borax is fine in moderation, but skin problems usually means you have an acidic body and deficiency in omega 3 oils, as well as vitamins A, D, C, and E. You must take mineral and enzyme supplements at each meal, and drink ionized water as much as possible. Once a day take a tablespoon of cod liver oil and a non-synthetic multi-vitamin. In addition take 4000I. U. Of vitamin D3 everyday (must be D3 only). Avoid acidic processed foods and eat mostly organic fruits and veggies (raw - use blender) with the usual meat, fish, eggs, butter, and virgin olive, coconut, and palm oils. Avoid table salt as much as possible, but use plenty of sea salt and crystal salt instead (trace minerals). Don't forget that a good probiotic is always necessary."

09/08/2011: John from Surfers Paradise, Qld replies: "Ted, ... In doing a study on Borax uses today I was just wondering why you said this about a year ago, .... "Calcium deposits occur if too much diets are high in that, usually found eating coral calcium "........ Based on what evidence Ted? as I know pure coral powder (simply powdered coral) helps eliminate calcium deposits as it is an alkaliser and "system cleaner", .. Also what the body does not use it will naturally eliminate, .. Having been the Australia agent for pure coral calcium on behalf of the worlds largest supplier, for about 10 years now... This I can say I do know from the papers, studies, our own clinical studies in Qld Australia and from my own personal testimony, Pure coral actually has a different matrix that makes it ideal to help clean other types of calcium, toxins, wastes, heavy metals, etc, deposits from the body, .. Such as in particular synthetic calciums, etc...... Of the thousands of customers in Australia we have never heard of this as a problem, .... It is practically impossible, if you look at above sea coral (powdered and pure) under a microscope you will see why, ..... Now put pure coral powder and kelp together, .. WOW! Good Super Fuel! Thats why they live together in the ocean, ..... Regards, John"

01/08/2012: Linda from New Haven, Connecticut replies: "Was just reading Ted's comments of 9/16/2010 stating that "For most women the average dose is about 1/8 teaspoon taken for only a month."

I know he has recommented elsewhere to mix it with 1 litre of water and sip it throughout the day for 4 days on with 3 days off.

This is the first time I have seen that it is to only be done for a month. I thought this was suppossed to be an ongoing supplementation and was suprised to see the 1 month suggestion.

I wanted to start this to aid my osteoporosis & arthritis issues. Do I really only need a month's worth of treatment and that's all for the rest of my life? Please, I need someone who knows about the length of treatment to please advise me before I start this treatment.

Thank you in advance for your help."

03/19/2012: Jennywren from Perth, Western Australia replies: "Yes, I would be interested to hear the answer to this too. I have just started taking 1/8 tspn in 1 litre of water today, and am not sure how long it is meant to be continued for and when I need to take a break from it. Cheers!"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/26/2011: Joe from Atlanta, Georgia, Usa replies: "I experienced the same side effect on the fourth day. I used 1/4 tsp on days 1-3. On the fourth day, I started using that same amount in the morning, but then I read more info on Earthclinic and the side effects some people had, I realized I already felt much better, so I decided to stop drinking the borax solution for a few days.

That fourth afternoon/night, I started feeling very hungry but no other side effects besides some flatulence. Then late that night I went out for drinks and noticed that bitter soapy taste you're talking about after drinking beer. Today is day 5, I haven't noticed any side effects today. I plan to stay off the borax for another couple of days. I will post if anything changes."

[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS]  06/29/2011: Joe from Atlanta, Ga, Usa replies: "I had the same side effect. I took 1/4 of a teaspoon for 3 days, then skipped 3 days, then started again. I got a burst blood vessel in my right eye the first day back on. This same blood vessel has burst several times before so I'm not worried about it.

Otherwise, the borax has made me feel great."

06/29/2011: Joe from Atlanta, Ga, Usa replies: "Hi, I just read the article you linked and noticed that they mentioned garlic and cayenne pepper as two foods that may trigger these burst blood vessels in the eye. I've recently upped my intake of both of those spices, so that may be the cause of the hemorrhage, rather than the borax."

04/16/2012: Wayne from Coeur D'alene, Idaho, Usa replies: "Want to take borax to protect from radiation coming over from Japan. Read Ted's advice on dosage and went to the store and bought a box of 20 mule team borax. It is now scented! Is it still safe to ingest?"

03/26/2010: Rob from Manhattan, New York replies: "1/4 tsp per litre and a whole glass is most likely too much. Try 1/8 and little sips throughout the day. When experimenting with this I found strong effects at this amount (1/8tsp per liter) and would only consume about half the bottle in a day. Also, why are you taking it? If to get pregnant there are most likely other safer and time proven ways."

03/26/2010: Siri from Chicago, Il replies: "Hi Rob. Thanks for the reply. I will try to do it slowly. I am taking borax primarily to detox as i had done 2 yrs back and found that it created an alkalizing environment and prepped the hormones conducive for pregnancy. Ted had replied to the same effect but unfortunately that had ended in an ectopic pregnancy. After waiting for an yr, I have been trying again for almost 8 months without any result so I am trying my luck with borax as well as lot of other supplements like manganese zinc wheat germ oil etc .

Thanks
Siri"

[WARNING!]  09/16/2012: C Ray from Calgary, Ab, Canada replies: "Borax can cause a micariage. Borax is a poison and will harm the fetus."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/11/2010: Theo from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada replies: "Last year I tried 1/8 teaspoon borax and sea salt in 1 liter of water to test if flouride was causing my health issues. After a couple of days I too experienced kidney pains. Since I had never felt internal pains like that before, even after trying many natural remedies and supplements over the years, I was quite scared. I stopped taking borax immediately. It didn't make sense to me that kidney pains would be a sign of detox. In conclusion, I no longer believe borax should be taken internally."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/25/2010: Katey from Apex, Nc, Usa replies: "I also am having kidney pain today after having 1/8 tsp. in over a liter of water yesterday. Also curious to know if Ted has a possible scientific explanation for this as I really don't want to mess with kidney damage but I could really use the benefits borax is supposed to provide."

08/30/2010: Katey from Apex, Nc replies: "Upon further reflection and 3 total days in pain, I realize it was most likely intestinal pain (front) rather than kidney pain (usually manifests in the back). I fasted for a day and then upon eating the pain was significantly reduced."

12/13/2012: J from San Luis Obispo, Ca replies: "Kidney pain is just the excess calcium being removed from the tissues and fluoride excretion passing thru the kidneys. Stop or slow down treatment for awhile."

EC: Hi NJ, how much borax did you add to 1 litre of water? Thanks...

04/15/2009: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "The problems I have encountered with facial breakouts, as this came from the fact that one of the person who reported this similar occurrence was taken estogen (Diane) and anti-androgen (androcur). Both the product apparently had a double dose of cyproterone. That caused a shutdown in the adrenals. To make the matter worse, the person also took a lot of whey protein to build muscles, that lead to protein coagulation in the body causing an acne.

In any event, one doesn't take borax without a reason. If a known fluoride poisoning exist, tor that a person has autoimmunity, or a person had rosacea, morgellons, will experience different effect.

If a person happens to have a Morgellon's having demodex mites, the borax DOES cause a breakout as the demodex mites to come out of the skin, killing most of the demdodex mites. Which is the mode of how borax kills the demodex mites. It flushes them out of the body. Same thing with certain types Rosacea, it flushes them out too.

Since I don't know the reason for why borax was taken, the two possibility that I have encountered are the ones I mentioned here. However, people can take it for different reasons and different reactions are encountered.

Ted"

04/16/2009: Paula from Coloma, Michigan, USA replies: "I am on Premarin due to having a complete hysterectomy 8 years ago. I'm only 37 but have lost the majority of my sex drive since the surgery. I was hoping the borax would help with the sex drive and to lose weight. I'm also doing the oil pulling and taking Apple Cider Vinegar supplements. Should I quit taking the borax all together?"

06/30/2009: Harmonious1 from Littleville, Southwest USA replies: "If, as stated, borax will move flouride out, then I suggest people who use it with flouridated water may be setting themselves up for these side effects. Flouride detox can be very painful, as I found out when I started taking iodine. When the flouride was stirred up and recirculated through my body, I had a lot of bad symptoms. And it takes a while for your body to get rid of it then.

I suggest using purified water, not city water, as it may be flouridated."

01/08/2011: Piper from Toronto, On replies: "I tried drinking at the suggested rate. I found that my hair started falling out much more than normal. A friend told me that that hair falling out is a sign of kidney problems. I stopped drinking and my hair stopped falling out at such a drastic rate.

I will bath in it. I bath my kids in it too. I think your body absorbs things from baths-magnesium, boron. I haven't found any harm in bathing with it. I put about a 1/4 to a 1/3 cup in the water.

In laundry, if you wash colours in hot with laundry soap and about 1/4-1/3 cup of borax the colours come out remarkably bright. The water has to be hot, not warm."

07/17/2012: Citygirl27 from Richardson, Tx, Usa replies: "That doesn't sound like hives, it is candida die-off. Candida die-off or sometimes called "candida rash" is a by product of almost every successful detox. I got it about a month after I began eating organic produce and using the Borax remedy and ACV. Mine was all up and down the inside of my arms, but cleared up quicker than yours. The candida is just more concentrated in those areas you speak of.

Borax is used for chelating metals and eliminating flouride. You may want to try chlorella for a while to see if you like that better. If you're wanting to address pH balance, try Ted or Bill's alkalinizing remedies. That will also encurage candida elimination. ACV/baking soda at bedtime will also counteract overnight acidity."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  07/17/2012: Misty from Indiana, Usa replies: "I also experienced hives after taking taking the borax water. I get the breakout on my face, neck, hands, legs, and especially my lower back and buttocks (it fades everywhere but my back/buttocks). I initially thought it was from spending too much time with the family cat (I'm allergic), but when the rash didn't go away after taking an antihistamine, I knew something was up. Borax is the only new remedy I have been trying, so I googled "borax rash" and found similar stories. According to a Wikipedia article on borax, borax poisoning can cause the following symptoms: "a beefy red skin rash affecting palms, soles, buttocks and scrotum has been described. With severe poisoning, erythematous and exfoliative rash, unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and renal failure."

I have also been experiencing hair loss since starting this remedy that I didn't connect to borax until I read of others experiencing this symptom. I have been urinating white specks for the past 2 weeks or so which could be borax buildup. My naturally soft skin has become dry all over my body; my lips are cracked. If I drink too much of the borax/water mixture at once, I will experience headaches and dizziness almost imediately. To me, these side effects indicate that this is not a very safe remedy, and I will discontinue my oral intake of borax at once. I will continue to bathe in borax water about once or twice a week (to treat my recurrent yeast infection) and hope the side effects disappear after I cease oral intake.

To be clear, my dosage is the recommended 1/8 tsp in 1 liter of water sipped throughout the day, 5 days on & 2 days off. I finish about 1/2 to 2/3 of the mixture in one day; I usually stop when I get a slight headache (it worsens if I continue taking it). I am a 115 lb woman. I eat an almost vegan diet (completely vegan for the past 2-3 weeks) and drink plenty of water. I'm not taking any hormones or anything as Ted speculated may be the cause. I also do not have symptoms of Morgellons disease or any other parasitic disorders aside from a recurrent yeast infection I've had for about a month. I started taking the borax because I believed it would help fight off the yeast infection (which I think may also reside in my gut causing constipation).

I had previously been trying whatever remedy was recommended on this website, forgetting that any nonprofessional individual can submit a testimonial. I rarely bothered to do research or even read the side effects posts on this site. I now realize that even "natural remedies" can be dangerous, and I encourage everyone to do their research so that they are aware of any adverse effects before they experience them."

07/18/2012: Enda from Nashville, Tennessee, United States replies: "Boron/Borax have been known to work at normalizing the thyroid. This might be what is happening. You did say you are a vegetarian. Vegetarians are known for having unstable thyroid levels due to the lack of animal protein in their diets. If you are uncomfortable with the Borax, try Boron supplements from the health food store. They are made for human cosumption."

04/20/2013: Anto from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa: "I've read somewhere that boric acid can cure foot odor (for a couple of years at least). I tried to find it but could only find borax. Will it do the same job as boric acid?I also purchased a eye cleanser that contains boric acid. The reason I want to know:My husband has smelly feet and it affects his whole life. We fear the moment when he is admitted into hospital for some reason (accident for example) and there's no time to wash his feet. Thanking you in advance for your response."

04/20/2013: Cc from From Sea To Shining Sea replies: "Think Zinc, for stinky feet! : )"

04/21/2013: Louwrence from Rustenburg, North West, South Africa replies: "Hi Anto, Usually smelly feet is caused by candida, so do something about the candida, ootherwise it will be an ongoing problem. Get some hydrogen peroxide & spray it on his feet & it should help to kill the fungus & let him put some bicarb in his socks & shoes it helps to absorb the sweat & walk around barefoot."

10/26/2011: Maria from Gippsland, Australia replies: "Hi Tamis, I have not found that it has any fizz when adding it to cleaning mixes, but of course they are diluted. Anyway I have just added borax to ACV and there is no fizz, have also added it to cheap white vinegar and no fizz. You may have to test it with a ph meter, I got mine for about $15 (AU) including postage via ebay. Good luck."

07/04/2012: Misty from Somewhere, Indiana, Usa replies: "Boric acid's chemical formula is H3BO3; there is no sodium (Na) in boric acid. The chemical formula for borax is Na2B4O7·10H2O or Na2[B4O5(OH)4]·8H2O. Other names for borax include sodium tetraborate, disodium tetraborate, and sodium borate. Thus, you have gotten your hands on an oddly named version of borax :)"

EC: We have a warning at the very top of the borax page NOT to confuse borax with boric acid!!

01/24/2010: Rani from Port Townsend, Washington replies: "Thank you for posting my e-mail. I can't believe I overlooked such an important bit of information. I am still feeling a bit queezy to my stomach and of course if I let my mind roll on this I could freak out and have a panic attack. But I got info from poison control, I also went on line and did more research, it could have been a really sad situation if I would have ingested more, I could have permanent kidney, liver damage or heart problems...and of course Death. I am more upset with myself because I am usually over cautious when it comes to medications, foods, beauty products etc. But on this day I was off my game and I almost paid dearly for it. I still feel a bit worried, but my recourse is only to wait this out...there is no antidote for boric acid poisoning, if your lucky with a large dose you may live...and many do, but for those others who did not survive it was a painful lesson for all. It has been a lesson that I need to stay awake and aware of what I chose to nourish this Temple. If you loose your house that's not such a big deal at least to me, but if I loose my health...well life's not gonna be much fun and I love having fun. I am going to attempt the borax in a month or so, just want to make sure I am not going to insult my body when it's already had a hit. I feel a little stupid right about now, but thanks for being here it helps to express this. Peace to All, Rani"

EC: Thank you, warning has been added!

06/01/2009: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "A borax has a pH of 8.6 and is alkaline, but boric acid has a very acid pH! I hardly make any mention of boric acid except as a warning not to take it!

Ted"

[QUESTION]  04/15/2010: Chris from Boulder, Co: "Is it ok to take ionic boron, the liquid version

http://www.vitamincottage.com/ionic_boron_liquid_48_day_supply_by_trace_minerals_research_2_oz_s_153401_gm_-p-5349.html

to chelate fluoride out of the system and to add to water to defluoridate it?

i saw an answer to my last question i just sent, that boron supplements in pill form are not recommended by Ted. so what about this liquid form? it will definitely be absorbed in the body, and by water, so what dose should we use to cleanse our body completely? and then to fix the water?

thanks!
chris"

02/14/2011: Chris from Boulder, Co replies: "Can you please answer my question. It has been 10 months and no response. I am still wondering if the ionic boron supplement in liquid form can defluoridate water the same as solid borax/borox?

Apparantly a few people are also waiting. Thank you in advance!
Chris"

02/14/2011: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Chris... The question you ask is not easily answered. Some ionic boron supplements contain some strange mixtures, here is an example:

www.mineralifeonline.com/pd-boron-8oz-120-day-supply.cfm

The above so-called "Ionic Catalyst" supplement contains boric acid, ascorbic acid and citric acid. Personally, I would never ingest boric acid, which is not the same as its salt - sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, also known as plain old Borax -- same as contained in 20 Mule Team Borax brand.

Other so-called ionic boron supplements just contain Sodium Borate or Sodium Tetraborate in solution as evidenced here:

www.herbalremedies.com/ionic-boron.html

Yet other Boron powder supplements are sold in health shops. And when you check the ingredients -- the main constituent will be Sodium Tetraborate or plain old Borax. This supplement tablet form will probably also be more expensive than 20 Mule Team Borax but 20 MT Borax powder will not contain extra caking agents like Calcium Triphosphate, Stearic Acid and magnesium stearate or vegetable stearates which are always used in the tablet forms.

Sodium Borate or Sodium Tetraborate are all Borax as we know it which normally comes in powder form -- and this is what you need to ingest in solution in small amounts to remove fluoride from your body. See the EC Borax Cures Page and read Ted from Bangkok's advice on Borax powder use and dosages."

02/14/2011: Chris from Boulder, Co replies: "Thank you for the response.

I just went out and bought triplus boron supplments that include calcium to help it chelate through the system. The pills only contain 1.5 mg per every two pills so to get a defluoridation dose I am taking 8 pills per day which is 6 mg.

Do you think this will be enough to chelate it out of my system daily? I am also drinking distilled water. Thank you so much for the response and I know this form of supplement is easier for people to take and others would be interested if this is a high enough dose to remove fluoride (6mg) thank you! "

02/14/2011: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Chris... The Borax dosage recommended by Ted from Bangkok is 1/8 tspn (for women) and 1/4 tspn(for men) dissolved in 1 litre of water a day taken for only 4 days a week. Therefore, the Borax dosage per day here is roughly between 500 mgs(women) and 1000 mgs(men) a day for four days a week by this method (1 tspn = 4000 mgs approx).

So Ted's dose is considerably higher than your 6 mgs a day. But nevertheless I think that you would probably eventually be able to achieve removal of fluoride from your body -- however I think it will take you a significantly longer time to achieve fluoride removal than with Ted's method and dosage."

02/15/2011: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Chris... Have you ever considered taking 2 drops of 5% Lugol's Iodine solution (12.5 mgs) per day in a glass of water as perhaps an easier means of removing fluorine from your body?

Lugol's iodine supplementing will also get rid of other halogens like bromine as well as help to remove heavy metals like cadmium, lead, mercury and aluminium form the body. And lugol's other beneficial effects on the thyroid and the body in general are also well known."

02/16/2011: Chris from Boulder, Co replies: "But is 1000mg borax honestly the same as 1000mg boron? I had the feeling that 1mg borax contained only like 20% of that or less as boron? If I am wrong maybe I will start taking more? Like 16 pills a day = 12 mg? I read the reccomended detox fluoride dose was 6 to 10mg so maybe that was wrong?

Second question, what are the signs of success? How do I know I am fluoride free inside? Sorry to keep harping on this it is very important to me."

02/16/2011: Chris from Boulder, Co replies: "Thank you for the iodine tip.When I get paid in two weeks I will buy the 5% iodine and take that and the boron together. That should work and also negate any fluoride I intake? :)
thanks again! chris"

02/17/2011: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Chris... To answer your questions:

But is 1000mg borax honestly the same as 1000mg boron?

There is no such thing really as supplementing free elemental boron. The only way to take it internally is as Sodium Borate or Sodium Tetraborate which is the same as Borax.

I had the feeling that 1mg borax contained only like 20% of that or less as boron? If I am wrong maybe I will start taking more? Like 16 pills a day = 12 mg?

Now your getting into the realms of molar weight equivalents. I'm not going there, way too complicated and unnecessary. Stick with the dosage that feels right for you. If you feel that the RDA is correct and that you should be taking 3 - 6 mgs of borax, then you should do so. But I would expect that it will probably take you months to get rid of the fluoride inside your body rather than weeks using Ted from Bangkok's method and dosages. This decision is really up to you.

Second question, what are the signs of success?

I'm afraid I can't really tell you that, because you haven't described any of your symptoms or problems. Speaking generally, if you have got excess fluoride build up the symptoms can vary alot but some examples are: brain fog, lethargy, insomnia, lack of energy, acid body, associated bacterial, virus and fungal problems like candida, bone problems, mood problems with possible hormonal problems like hypothyrodism, adrenal fatigue etc(you can also get wide hormonal problems with fluoride build up occurring on the pineal and pituitary glands in the brain -- which both help to control all hormones in the body).

When you get rid of the fluoride -- and providing there is nothing else wrong with you -- these problems should all eventually disappear."

02/11/2012: Rsw from Uniontown, Oh replies: "Hi Bill, If I take 3mg. of boron chelate a day, will it help rid the body of whatever is causing systemic lichen planus, the way the borax and liter of water will? Then I understand that I will also need to drink baking soda and water with lemon, twice a day. Can I use reconstituted lemon juice from a bottle? Do I also need to add magnesium, and if so, how much? Thank you."

02/13/2012: Bill from San Fernando, The Philippines replies: "Hi Rsw... Alkalizing with Ted's Lime/Lemon recipe should certainly help to remove acidity from the body. For this I would use real lemons/limes rather than their bottled equivalents because of unnecessary additives. Although you are also using Borax internally, I would also consider using magnesium -- as mag citrate or gluconate(250 mgs twice a day) -- as well as using lugol's iodine internally as well. This will help to boost your immune system as well as help to kill of the LP.

I also note that you are not really applying any topical remedies to your lichen planus problem. See this link for useful topical remedies for LP from Ted:

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/lichen_planus_questions.html#Question_1159"