The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by PG (Puerto Maldonado, Peru) on 10/05/2023
Heat intolerance while taking Borax
Hello everyone. I starting taking Borax internally about 4 yrs ago to combat an internal yeast overgrowth. It took care of the candida over a long period of time. Really appreciate having learned about the anti fungal properties of Borax.
I live in a hot tropical region and so fungus issues are prevalent and reoccurring here and so like to keep the Borax on hand so when an issue arises I can take care of it quickly by ingesting some Borax for a short period. My question for you guys is has anyone noticed becoming heat intolerant while taking Borax. I mean I am so overheated once temps go over 30c and almost am dead when it nears 40c. I never was like this before I took Borax. Lately a friend of mine who also lives in the tropics has just started taking Borax and she too is complaining about sudden heat intolerance. We are both experiencing extreme excessive sweating. I put two and two together and it seems it is Borax that is effecting us in this most uncomfortable way. Have any of you experienced such a thing while consuming Borax?
Thank you and I love Earth Clinic!
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Madelyn (Idaho) on 09/18/2023
AlleyCat, try taking borax a couple of times per week instead of daily for a while. Give your body a chance to recover and recalibrate after being sick. This Covid or RSV virus is giving lots of people trouble for weeks on end. You can pick the borax back up to 5 days a week if you feel necessary once you're feeling better.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by AlleyCat (NSW, Australia) on 09/16/2023
Hi - I started the borax protocol in early July - I had either Covid or RSV over the month of August and in the last week of August I started with diarrhea which I thought came from undercooked chicken, however it was not the normal 'explosive' kind that accompanies food poisoning.
I have ongoing issues with candida and constipation related to EDS and I'm gluten-free and mostly avoid dairy.
The first 5 days of the 'bug' were 2 times a day mass evacuation of sludge (I assume to be the impacted content). Then I got to 4 days of water type and one explosive day with green (I'm assuming that was the actual bug coming through) - then it slowly returned to twice a day sludge alternating with more traditional type watery diarrhea.
there have been what I'll describe as colon spasms (rather than 'stomach cramps') that will occur randomly over the day.
Is there any chance that the borax has caused an issue - in the first few weeks I was seeing improvement with candida so I was thrilled that this might be helping - but now I'm wondering if I should stop?
any thoughts would be much appreciated as I can't find a page with 'real side effects' as all the searches will go straight to mainstream, it's 'poison' type information.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 09/06/2023 2891 posts
Vernard,
If you have an irritation in your esophagus, the borax can worsen it because the normal pH of the esophagus is around seven, but the pH of borax is considerably higher at around 9.24 and that can potentially further irritate an already irritated esophagus.
Ted's recommendation was to mix the 1/8th teaspoon of borax in a quart/liter of water, whereas you only used 24 ounces of water. Another consideration is some people have found benefit at 1/16th teaspoon. Diluting as Ted said to and using a lesser dose may make borax more tolerable, but if it continues to irritate your esophagus even with the changes, you will be better off looking at ECs over 100 other remedies for arthritis here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/arthritis.html
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Vernard (AZ) on 09/06/2023
Tried borax for first time, 1/8th teaspoon in 24 oz of water. my esophogus was burning all night. anyone have any idea possibly why?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Flower Girl (Hone Sweet Home) on 07/22/2023
99% pure flowers of sulfur improved the acne-like rash above my mouth, I ran out before the rash was completely gone.
It started when I took lysine tablets. I had the rash for over a year before I tried the sulfur. I drank a teaspoon of the sulfur in a cup of water once a day for a few days. Made me feel really good, too.
Otherwise look up boron co-nutrients and try those maybe.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Madelyn (Idaho) on 07/20/2023
Is there fluoride in your toothpaste? It's a common reaction.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 07/20/2023 2891 posts
Selena,
You can stop borax and if the rash resolves on its own in a month or so, the borax is the likely problem.
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Selena (Arkansas ) on 07/19/2023
Hi. I started taking a pinch of Borax every day about 4 months ago. After about 6 weeks I started getting a rash around my chin. Doc gave me a steroid cream. Used it for two week and had to take a week off before using it again. It looked like it was gone. I didn't think I'd need to use it again but the rash was back worse than before in two days. Then doc gave me a fungal cream with a small amount of steroid for two weeks. It was gone but again came back worse. Went back on the steroid cream while waiting to go to the dermatologist this time. He said it looked like I was allergic to fluoride. So do you think this is from the borax or the fluoride. I don't know what to do. I'm scared this won't go away or that I've poisoned myself. Or maybe the fluoride was coming out though my skin detoxing???
Borax Side Effects
Posted by JJ (AZ) on 07/11/2023
I mixed a 1/4 tsp (20 mule team) in a liter of clean water... drank only 10% of it and got very bad side effects... racing heart, brain fog, lightheadedness, gut pain... I felt as though I was poisoned... it came on quickly.
The Borax I used WAS several years old... but still...
And I doubt this was a detox reaction... I have been taking some cilantro and lugol's occasionally, eating pretty healthy...
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Gary (Kitchener On) on 07/07/2023
Hi Tania
Too much Borax. Men 1/4 spoon daily and Women 1/8 spoon daily.
I have been Borax happy for 4 years and no-side effects but feel great.
God Bless
Gary
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Tania (CT) on 07/06/2023
Paradoxical reactions to Borax
My husband and I have started taking borax in the 1tsp to 1 liter solution. He has systemic candida and broke out in mouth sores within 3 days of taking it.
I have arthritic pains in my hands that come and go and within a week of taking the solution, my hands are much worse.
We both also experienced crushing depression as well. Is this just a normal herx reaction? I'm going to stick it out but I have been unable to find anything that mentions these specific symptoms.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Tim (Pennsylvania ) on 06/30/2023
Are you taking magnesium supplements with it?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Tom 70 (Auckland, New Zealand.) on 05/11/2023
1/4 tsp of borax is over 1,100mg, which is over 120 mg of boron.......wonder if this is too high a daily dose.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 05/10/2023
Mel,
Boron is an active component of Borax and it can direct more magnesium and calcium toward the bones, possibly leaving insufficient magnesium available for the soft tissues. This potential insufficiency of magnesium could cause muscle cramps. If supplementing an absorbable form of magnesium such as magnesium glycinate resolves the muscle cramping, then you have your answer.
Another common cause of muscle cramping is insufficient potassium intake.
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Mel (Saskatchewan (SK)) on 05/10/2023
Hello I have been using borax for arthritis type pain in joints the past few months (1/4 tsp in 1 litre of water 5 days a week). I'm getting muscle cramps lately. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 04/28/2023
Dear Shannon,
Look into Nettle Root as a supplement for your husband.
Blood pressure medication and being overweight can also contribute to what he is dealing with.
~Mama to Many~
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Shannon (USA Missouri) on 04/26/2023
Wondering if you found an answer to your issue? I would also like to know if you found out what the cause was and were you able to recover? I am just getting started with Borax and my husband was going to try it as well. We have seven boys so we do not need reproduction but he at this point is not able to have an erection. I was hoping this would offer some assistance for him. Could you elaborate on why you stopped since things were going so well. I know they recommend skipping like two days a week. Also wondering if you did that? Thanks if your able to respond.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Shannon (USA Missouri) on 04/26/2023
Wondering if you found an answer to your issue? I would also like to know if you found out what the cause was and were you able to recover? I am just getting started with Borax and my husband was going to try it as well. We have seven boys so we do not need reproduction but he at this point is not able to have an erection. I was hoping this would offer some assistance for him. Could you elaborate on why you stopped since things were going so well. I know they recommend skipping like two days a week. Also wondering if you did that? Thanks if your able to respond.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 04/26/2023
This could explain why I have such dry skin for well over a year! I recently decided to stop the borax because it no longer helps my arthritis, not sure why it quit working. But the dry flaky skin is so embarrassing, maybe I finally know what causes it!
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 04/26/2023 2891 posts
Chris,
I have seen a dry skin condition develop in a friend who was using 1/8 teaspoon of borax every week day. She stopped and the dry skin went away. She restarted and the dry skin slowly came back, so she stopped completely. I asked her to try 1/16th of a teaspoon, but she said no. Some people don't tolerate Borax, but the majority of people do.
An alternative is to try higher dose boron based supplements, which has also shown the ability to put arthritis into remission.
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Chris (Ottawa, Canada) on 04/25/2023
I started using the Borax protocol about 10 days ago. My skin seems dry and my gums started hurting today. Has anyone else had any side effects? Maybe I just need to drink more water for the dry skin but unsure about the gums. Perhaps not even related. Just curious if anyone else had side effects.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Julie (Deerbrook Wi) on 04/04/2023
Sounds like ( from what I am reading) your concentration is too strong, try 1/16 to 1/8 tsp in 1/2 liter of water once a day.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by phxmtbnomad (Phoenix) on 04/03/2023
Concerning Borax dosing. Curious how quickly the initial few swallows can take to actually "feel" any effects. I'm male. I only have 1/2 liter container at the moment, mixed up 1/8 teaspoon in water and had a few swallows. Almost immediately I could feel something different. Almost heady, sort of dizzy while lying in bed and throughout the night. Not unpleasant. How long would it normally take before the body begins releasing toxins? I'm a little sore this morning all over and have evacuated several times already in healthy amounts which is not typical. Not hungry but again, nothing unpleasant. Mind you I have not drank the full 1/2 liter yet, probably have another half to go. Would it have affected me that quickly or am I imagining things?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Nicole Little (Philadelphia, PA) on 02/07/2023
This is what happens to me when I was doing detox baths with borax. My urine became darker yellow with slightly green color. I believe that this is part of the detox.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Magnolia (US) on 02/02/2023
For some reason ingesting borax causes my arthritis pain to get worse. Tried it several times and it happens each time. I have just showers in my house, no bathtub, so I can't soak in it though I have done foot soaks which were not that helpful. I wish it worked for me!
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Linda (MI) on 12/30/2022
My research said it is due to detoxing the body so the darker the urine the more waste is pulled out.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Hakara (Vancouver, BC) on 12/29/2022
I started the borax cure 3 days ago for arthritis in my wrists, knees, fingers and especially feet. Feet have become quite deformed from the flare ups. I'm also taking magnesium, D3, K2, ACV and vitamin C with it. They are not new, I take them all the time. Just the borax is new. Drinking lots of water. My urine really stinks. It's more yellow. Can anyone speak to this and explain why my urine is stinky?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/23/2022
Bleach bath is very benefical for folliculitis of the body. You will have to take a bath daily for good results. Use a wet wash rag to lay over your face when take this bleach bath. Pour 4 oz (¼ to ½ cup) of unsented chlorine bleach into your bath water. Soak the entire body for 10 - 25 minutes. Do not rinse your skin after the bath and quickly dry with a towel to avoid chills. Repeat bleach bath every day for one month. Diluted bleach baths are safe and effective.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 11/23/2022 2891 posts
Frank,
I just weighed a USA 1/8th teaspoon level full of borax on a digital milligram scale and it weighs 445 mg. Using your boron figure for borax of 11.36%, that comes out to 50.552 mg of boron or less than half of what you said. Borax can vary slightly in weight due to moisture content, but not anywhere near that much, 445 mg vs the 1062 mg you mentioned. I say USA 1/8th teaspoon because the size can vary by country.
Based on the above, a US 1/4 teaspoon at level full should offer approximately just over 100 mg of boron.
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Frank (USA) on 11/22/2022
That is an incorrect calculation there. Use Aqua-calc and see the weight of the 1/8 teaspoon of borax: 1062mg. 11.36% of that is 120mg.
So 1/8 tsp of Borax = 120mg boron
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Frank (USA) on 11/22/2022
Did this issue resolve? I also noticed reflux but wasn't sure if it was just a beginning side effect or a long-term one
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Frank (USA) on 11/22/2022
Did this issue resolve? Also did the arthritis and yeast improve?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Thomas (London) on 09/15/2022
It sounds like a detox reaction, like an Herxheimer reaction. Take Vitamin C to counter. If you take ‘normal Vit C' (calcium ascorbate) by tablet it may give you diarrhoea, so try magnesium ascorbate which is slower to work but helps body repair. Tablet Vit C only gets about 10% absorbed. Better still, try and get Liposomal Vit C. I use Altrient C but it is not cheap. It dissolves in the gut but has an 80-90% absorption.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Mackenzie (Australia Gold Coast) on 04/26/2022
★★★☆☆
I recently shared I was experiencing new bumps over my cheeks when started the RDI of borax in the water however now my face my forehead in particular is covered in folliculitis type lumps - I did start taking this for arthritis and a yeast overgrowth causing folliculitis that I have over my body but never had it on my face, now since the borax my my face just has lumps and bumps all over? And now my face I find is very oily? Anyone else experience this? I have read to use apple cider vinegar potentially? I still am unsure wether to stop or to just keep going in the hopes my body regulates itself. This is just making me feel quite insecure with the process.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 04/24/2022 2891 posts
Isolda,
The quarter teaspoon of borax is the dose that Ted recommended for men and half that dose for women. So if you were trying to follow Ted's directions you are correct.
Something that I don't remember Ted covering in his remedy was that some people can not tolerate borax, but that is something I have seen in some friends who have tried borax for arthritis. On the other hand, the dose that the originator of using borax/boron for arthritis, Dr. Rex Newnham, recommended a significantly lower dose of borax/boron and claimed to get very good effects back in the 1970's and 1980's. Here is a link to info on him and the doses he used, which were significantly less than Ted's dosing schedule.
https://freedomforcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1904borax.pdf?ref=tfrecipes
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Isolda (Beaufort) on 04/24/2022
Hello,
I did the 1/4 tsp in a litre of water first day loading but by the time I reached 3/4 of the bottle about 5-6 hours later I started to feel antsy and nervous. I was a little anxious. Later in the evening I felt anxious again. Like it had a second cycle in my body. Probably going through my liver.
I have read that the dosage of the 1/4 tsp = 114mg is incorrect. Can you please confirm that it is correct?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Preston (South carolina) on 04/22/2022
Looking to take borax for an autoimmune condition. I have a small hiatal hernia and get acid reflux easily. Just started taking and it gives me reflux. Can you mix this with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in the water, like you can baking soda?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 04/14/2022 2891 posts
Hi Mark,
I can only tell you what I am using that is very effective for me, but my arthritis was severe. I do not consider it a cure because I think the arthritis will eventually come back if I stop taking it. In the past when I stopped taking it, symptoms started to return after a couple of months and I started taking it again. In theory the remedy is just replacing boron in our system that may be lacking.
Dr. Rex Newnham found efficacy at a dose way lower than what I take, but the dose he suggested was ineffective for me, so I switched to the dose that Ted recommended for men and I have been in remission since then. I did try the half dose that Ted recommended for women and it did help, but did not completely put me into remission as his men's dose does, so I remain at Ted's dose for men and of course I am trying to afford myself other health benefits that Borax is thought to provide.
Your choice, if you are going to use borax, seems simple. Start at the lower doses that you are reading about and if they work, you are all set! It may be because my arthritis was severe, I needed Ted's dose for men, I don't know, but I do know it is the dose that works for me and so I continue at well over a decade now. Your way may be the best way because some people do not tolerate Borax, so a lower dose may be a safer dose in case you do not tolerate Borax. That is your choice to make.
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Mark (Lubeck) on 04/14/2022
Hi Art. Great that your arthritis is healed. As a man, I would also like to start with 1/4 of a teaspoon per day. However, being a bit of a hypochondriac, I googled max. safe daily dose and the answer everywhere was 20 mg of boron. This is less than 1/5th of your dose. Please guide me - thanks.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Art (California) on 04/10/2022 2891 posts
Red bumps could be the beginning of a rash and you may be allergic to Borax. Stop and see if they go away. If they do, you probably don't want to use borax as a shower soap either as you were considering. Some people are not able to tolerate borax.
As an alternative, you might look into Boron supplementing. Dr. Rex Newnham used Boron also effectively for arthritis.
Art
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Mackenzie (Australia) on 04/09/2022
I am day two into taking borax, taking the recommended mg for women in a litre of water, I'm noticing a heavy chest? Does anyone else experience this and tiny little red bumps coming up all over my cheeks? I'm hoping this is just a detox reaction as I really hope borax is a life changer for me. Any one else experience this?
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Nikki (St. Louis, MO) on 04/08/2022
My guess is, Borax will help move stones (kidney and fall bladder). Many of the protocols I've read have suggested taking a stone breaker (Chanca Piedra) to help break up the stones into smaller pieces before starting boron/borax.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Peg (Virginia USA) on 04/03/2022
Your post is the first to mention pain from fluoride detoxing. I believe that is happening to me. Thank you for answering the question I have had about why I'm in such pain despite doing all these healthy things!
Can you recommend additional reading sources on this issue? Thank you.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by donal (ireland) on 03/16/2022
1 teaspoon in 700 ml water mix. Then take only 20 to 30 ml daily.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Frank (NY) on 03/11/2022
God bless you for your powerful words.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by mmsg (somewhere, europe) on 03/09/2022
Ivan, I take less than a pinch! Maybe you took much too much for your body.
Borax Side Effects
Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 03/08/2022
take a 1/4 tsp baking soda dissolved in a cup of water and that should make you calm. If it is not enough take another dose after half an hour .....probably just got in fight with some problems already going on and now you will need to use a much smaller dose to fight it later on after a few days . Also, try molybdenum for candida die off symptoms and chanca piedra if this borax releases calcium out of soft tissue.
