"Borax is necessary in small amounts for plant growth, one of the 16 essential nutrients. In larger amounts it is poisonous to plants, and the range can be small. For peaches, 1 ppm is required, but more than 5 ppm is toxic. If the signs of boron deficiency are noted in plants, a boron supplement can be applied. Borates can be used as non-toxic and non-specific herbicides. Borates are non-toxic to animals. The LD50 (dose at which there is 50% mortality) for humans is about 6 g per kg of body weight. Anything above 2 g is considered non-toxic, and borates are only 2 to 3 times as toxic as aspirin. Therefore, you are pretty safe unless you eat a pound and a half of borax for a snack. Borates are more toxic to insects than to mammals. The boranes and similar gaseous compounds are quite poisonous. As usual, it is not an element that is intrinsically poisonous, but toxicity depends on structure."
Sorry I am all about the references, plus this article has several quality references in it.
My husband was worried about me ingesting this so that is why I have done so much reasearch. I really feel it is safe, but even with this I am still a bit slow to try it. I will get up the courage soon. I just wanted to put this fact out there for all the people that argue about it. I think mainly I am afraid of the detox reaction I might have because my face has been pink for quite some time and if I put lotion on it or anything else it become very red till it is dry. I have washed my face twice with it so far though and it has at least dried up my acne. I also just used a bathroom cup to add water to some borax and then poored it on my hair. After rinsing then I shampooed. It did make it soft, although I tried to combine it with my body wash and it created a perm smell so I am going to do it by itself next time. Good luck everyone who tries Borax, but it is safe in small quantities.
Replied by 1947hoppy from Winamac, Indiana on 02/25/2013
I found a reference to using borax for arthritis quite by accident. Having had more than one bad experience with "possible side effects" from both prescription and otc drugs, my interest is arroused by any and all 'natural' remedies.
Like most people, I want to do plenty of research prior to taking the big step into the unknow. Along the way I happened to google "20 mule team borax" to see what the company itself had to say about their product. I was quite surprised to see this actual quote from their site.
"In earlier times, borax was proclaimed to be a magical crystal that was used to aid digestion, keep milk sweet and even cure epilepsy. Common sense and modern technology have brought us better solutions to these and other problems, but 20 Mule Team Borax still has a place in your home."
I'm not a rocket scientist, but it seems to me that if it can be used to sweeten milk, aid digestion and cure (not help, but cure) epilepsy, in the words of the company that sells it, it would seemingly be safe to mix small amounts with water and consume.
I just picked up a box and will be giving it a try post haste. I also plan to give my aging dog a taste of it for his arthritis.
Glad I found this site, again an accident, and plan to do a lot of reading and perhaps a little contributing.
Replied by Teresa from Southport on 10/13/2016
I have been reading all day. I use borax to clean my house and have not had to deal with insects inside our home since I sprinkled it under the sinks. Today, I mixed a 1/8 tsp per liter into a 9.6 liter container and began drinking it because the literature says it removes fluoride from the tap water and the human body. Fluoride poisoning has destroyed many lives and no one has been brought to justice to-date. I choose to live as healthy as possible and the more I learn, the more I change to help myself and those around me. Peace to all.
Replied by Kathy from Ft Laud on 06/24/2017
Not an accident.
God led you here as well as me.
Replied by Carol from Dallas Texas on 07/16/2025
Hi, did you try this and how did it work out for you?
Can you tell me how you mixed it with water?
Thank you, Carol H.
Replied by Art from California on 07/16/2025
Hi Carol,
That post was from 2013 and you may not get a reply to your inquiry. In the alternative, here is a link to Earth Clinic's Borax page for arthritis which should answer any questions you may have regarding using Borax for arthritis :
https://www.earthclinic.com/borax-remedy-for-arthritis.html
Art
