Replied By Becky From Ohio (Ashtabula, Ohio, Usa) on 12/31/2010
Steve,
I'm sure someone can address this better than I, but I would like to offer my personal experience to you until a better explanation is posted. I too felt very nervous about consuming something that was labeled "not for human consumption. " I remember reading that the toxicity of borax is about the same as is for salt. (I haven't consulted any MSDS's to prove that thought. I believe you could get those over the internet?) Anyway, I finally decided that 1) the dose was small- 1/8th of a teaspoon generally for women, 1/4 of a teaspoon for mean. 2)Even if it wasn't good for me, it was basically just a little bit of soap? Also- not for human consumption doesn't necessarily mean it will hurt you, just that a government agency won't recommend it. That doesn't mean it IS safe, but it may not mean it isn't.
So, I did try the borax for arthritis pain. Reluctantly at first, but I was quite desperate. I have had GREAT results, and NO bad reactions. Within a few days my knee pain (I'm calling it arthritis, but I'm not sure what was all going on in my knees)was greatly improved. It felt like cement breaking up in my knees. I am still using the borax (along with ACV) most days. I take a break from it every once in a while. If I go too long the "cement" and pain in the knees comes back and I start back on the borax and it clears right up. I suggest it to so many people I know that sound like it might help- but so far no one will try it. They just can't get over it not being made for human consumption. Such a shame. I was very close to having to go to an orthopedic surgeon before I tried the borax. I highly recommend it!
Replied By Becky From Ohio (Ashtabula, Ohio, Usa) on 12/31/2010
Steve, After I mentioned that borax is said to be less toxic than salt, I decided to look for its MSDS (material safety data sheet) on the internet and compare it to something most people would normal consider safe. I found the MSDS for borax and also Advil (ibuprofen). I thought it would be a good comparison. I'm not sure if you are familiar with MSDS's. They can be pretty scary looking if you are not use to them. Hopefully it will make you feel more confident in trying borax and not scare you. Under section 11 is the toxicological information. Advil has a much more toxic than borax. Advil has a acute oral toxicity (LD50) of 495 mg/kg. Borax oral toxicity (LD50) is 2,400 mg/kg. It takes much less Advil to kill 50 percent of the test animals (rats usually) than it does borax. If I'm doing my math correctly, Advil is almost 5 times more toxic than borax? Anyway, here are the 2 links to the MSDS's:For borax http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924967
For Advil
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924344
Maybe this will help?
Replied By Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 01/01/2011
Hi - Re Borax... I take Boron every day in capsul form. It is amazing for arthritis. I used to have bad hand pain every morning, now I only have it when I have not taken my boron for a few days. I am wondering if Borax and Boron are similar or even the same thing? I am one of those people who has a hard time considering consuming laundry soap. Even in such small amounts, the thought of it is - pardon the pun - hard for me to swallow. ;)In my opinion anyone with arthritis pain or osteoperosis would do well to look up boron on the search engines. Boron is one of the KEY components for building bone, along with Magnesium, Vitamin D-3 and Calcium. I try to keep my supplimental calcium intake at the lowest level possible and when I do take it it is a 1:1 ratio with Magnesuim. Vitamin D I take at leat 4,000 iu a day. I live in the North, and there is virtually zero sun here in the fall and winter. All I can say is if you have joint pain or bone issues - read up on all of the above - They are amazing! Here is to a Happy and Healthy New Year! Carly
Replied By Mesm (Toulon, France) on 01/02/2011
Thanks for relating your experience with borax. I will try it for my poor big toe (not gout)! 1/8 tspn sodium borate in juice per day? Everyone is freaked out by me taking Lugols or suggesting H202. Sodium borate is great for athlete's foot, gone in 2 days, just sprinkle it on.Replied By Jennywren (Perth, Western Australia, Australia) on 02/16/2012
Hi Becky, thanks for relaying your experience.. It has given me hope for my rheumatoid arthritis! I have been taking a licked fingertip of Borax mixed in an ACV/honey hot toddy every evening for 5 days and, while I'm not getting any Borax side effects, I'm not feeling any pain relief either. I know it was ages ago now, but just wondering if you remember how long you had to take it for before you felt any benefit? Ted has said 4 days on, 3 days off but I think I'm going to go for broke and keep going! :) Did you take it with breaks or consistently? I'm a bit leery of taking it daily for weeks on end...
Hope you are still in good health.. And that it may have even gone away!
Replied By Jacqueline (Devon) on 10/24/2017
I take it most days. It's just the 20 Mule Team. I do the other, alternative mixture made thus: take a 1/2 litre bottle and put 1/2 a teaspoon in the bottom. Add a little boiling water to dissolve. Top up bottle with filtered water and put into fridge. One teaspoon of this mixture = 3 mgs of boron, so start with one teaspoon in a cup of tea or coffee, and when you find no problems with that, increase to 2 teaspoons a day, then 3 teaspoons a day. I take this probably 5 times a week, but it doesn't hurt if it's taken all the time. I find it has NO side-effects and it does reduce the pain of my rheumatoid arthritis. It certainly didn't kill me. I will add however, that I take 400 mgs of magnesium every day and apparently that helps your body use the boron where it's needed.Replied By Richard (Florida) on 11/19/2017
Borax is not any kind of soap..
When used to wash clothes it softens the water, making your laundry detergent more effective and you are able to use less detergent...
Replied By Tammy (Tallahassee) on 10/24/2022
I've been taking borax for a while as well and yes it works wonders. I need to be more consistent though which I have started doing again. People look at me crazy when I tell them I do it but you know what if they won't try it it's their loss we know it works.Replied By Dan (Holiday, Fl) on 02/01/2024
Boron and Borax are not the same thing.