Borax
Health Benefits

Borax: Unlocking the Health Benefits of a Natural Compound

General Feedback
Posted by Light9 (Sleepy Hollow, Ny) on 04/27/2010

Can i use borax to heal my ear infections since its safe for the eyes?


Multiple Cures
Posted by Kelly (San Luis Obispo, Ca) on 04/26/2010

Hello Victoria,

I was so excited to read your post. I am about to start the same protocol you outlined in Jan. I wanted to know a few things if you have a minute. 1) did you have any side effects 2) do you still feel great today and 3) did you change your diet in a significant way. Glad to hear you no longer want sweets. I avoid them but still crave them. Thanks for your help. Kelly


General Feedback
Posted by Amentothat! (Louisville, Kentucky) on 04/06/2010

I just had to say, AMEN to that! Just think of the money that they are making on hormones, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and VIAGARA! Folks it is NOT A BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY FOR NOTHING! I've spent less on pharmaceuticals since finding EARTHCLINIC, and I'm trying borax tomorrow!

My daughter has flouride poisoning, mottled teeth, she's 14 and it is a shame! I've been ill for the same amount of time when the spots started occuring on her teeth. I wish borax could fix her teeth! Could there possibly be a connection between my illness and her teeth????


General Feedback
Posted by Wendyacox (Adelaide, Australia) on 04/05/2010

I note that 1/8 teaspoon of borax in a litre of water is recommended as a detox for the relief of pain in many ailments. Borax is considered a poison, so how can this recommended remedy not affect the kidneys and liver if used over a long period of time?


General Feedback
Posted by Wendyacox (Adelaide, Australia) on 04/05/2010

I note that 1/8 teaspoon of borax in a litre of water is recommended as a detox for the relief of pain in many ailments. Borax is considered a poison, so how can this recommended remedy not affect the kidneys and liver if used over a long period of time?

General Feedback
Posted by Mama (London, Ontario) on 03/26/2010

Hi :)

This is MAMA,(with Fibromyalgia) and this is to THE_PHOENIX and anyone interested. Thank you very much for all the time you have taken to help me. I haven't been on for a while, and just checked in and read all that you wrote, Wow - thanks! I was sad to hear about your arthritis but then happy to hear that you're doing better. I will tell you why I haven't been on for awhile - I HAVE ALL THIS ENERGY NOW THAT I CAN'T SIT STILL!!!! It's the H202! And I'm sure of it. I have been taking the BORAX too but not as much as I should. I am up to 25 drops of H202 3xday and feeling energy like I did when I was 16!

The muscle pain has not been as good as it was a few weeks ago,I kind of slacked off on the BORAX, maybe I need to step it up again, I can't get on my knees or raise my arms like before - but this energy this is AWESOME. I was also out for a walk in the woods with my husband and he was totally in shock, because normally I don't walk anywhere that I don't absolutely have too cuz I would need to be very careful at what I used my energy up on (which was almost nothing.) The family is really enjoying the better meals too, cuz when I don't feel well- I choose things to prepare that take as little effort as possible (without neglecting nutrition of course).

When I was taking 1/4tsp BORAX, (and I know that Ted says only 1/8 for women)I felt very little pain, so I might have to concentrate on doing both.

Know what? I think I'm really going to be able to beat this, and be able to help encourage other sufferers as you have me. I look very closely at what you recommend any try my best to take your advice (I guess I trust you don't I?)

Well I'm off to make a nice big fancy dinner to welcome in the weekend, and then tomorrow I'll clean the house! Can't believe I just said that!

Thanks again to THE_PHOENIX.

P.S. Any readers out there that suffer from Fibro or Chronic Fatigue - you just have to read up on HYDROGEN PEROXIDE and also BORAX! (and stay away from grains, sugar, and dairy.)

Mama


Heavy Metal Poisoning
Posted by Pr (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 03/16/2010

Hi Teri, thanks for sharing. How much sodium thiosulfate are you adding to your bath water?


Heavy Metal Poisoning
Posted by Teri (Up North, Indiana) on 03/15/2010
★★★★★

I've been adding a pinch of borax to my green tea for awhile. I believe it is a tip I read from Ted. Helps neutralize the fluoride in green tea. If I take a bath, I also add borax (for fluoride) and sodium thiosulfate (for chlorine) to the water before getting in the tub. I had had no adverse affects to either practices.


Heavy Metal Poisoning
Posted by Lou (Austin, Tx ) on 03/15/2010

As far as I know, green tea contains calcium fluoride rather than the sodium fluoride or hydrofluoric acid (H.A. is even worse). I think that CaF may be not as readily absorbed by the body, because it is insoluble, whereas NaF (sodium fluoride) is soluble. It is important to note that even insoluble things such as biogenic silica can be absorbed into the body via the gastrointestinal tract.

However, since I do not know the form of fluoride in green tea, I cannot advocate its consumption. This is due to the fact, that modern agricultural techniques may increase the amount and diversity of the fluorides contained within the tea plant/final product.

Furthermore, I question the duration of many green tea studies showing its beneficial effects. Since fluorides are cumulative, long term studies are necessary to determine the overall impact green tea has on health. I also wonder about the forms of green tea used in many studies. Are they using fluoride free tea? If so then they should mention it.

Also, are there any benefits to using tea with natural fluorides? (I seriously want to know the answer to this.)

Many companies propose to sell fluoride free green tea.

For further reading on fluoride in green tea I recommend this article.

http://www.poisonfluoride.com/pfpc/html/green_tea___.html


Heavy Metal Poisoning
Posted by Jess (Bushey, UK) on 12/06/2008

Hi Ted, just read your comment about using green tea to remove heavy metals from the body. I was concerned as I have read that it contains higher levels of fluoride that black tea. I understand that borax removes fluoride but thought perhaps not best to add more by ingesting further? I have found that coriander removes mecurary at a good level and organic apples help aid removal of alumnium. have you any thought s to help my research further? Thanks. Jess


Heavy Metal Poisoning
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 391 posts
★★★★★

Most borax I buy is a B.P. grade and a U.S.P. grade borax from a chemical supplier. Those are grade are often used that are pharmaceutical grade. However, those that are gotten from natural sources (e.g. borax) and go relatively unprocessed, that is unadded of additives or anything are often labeled 100% Sodium tetraborate or Borax. Without anything else.

My experience is that free heavy metals found in these product found in supermarket, are not as high as those found in more processed foods (baked goods are off the charts with me) and tap water we usually drink (my toxic heavy metals come from the drinking water and rice cooker), or even in more Organic foods and fertilizers which is very high in heavy metals.

Most contaminants from the products I used are heavy metals and they often come from frying pans, aluminum tea pots, aluminum rice cookers, iron pots & pans, or foods that has gone through a lot of processing such as fast food and chocolates, for example. Even Diet Coke is actually very toxic to me, if I have all the appropriate diagnostic devices to find out people will know the real source of toxicity which is from the benzene (sodium benzoate), bisphenol A (plastic degenerates into a pseudoestrogen Bisphenol A) and aspartame (degrades in the body to formaldehyde) and causes me to be diabetic and other sickness- long term ingestion may be more permanent).

I have actually been offline for almost a week being quite sick of neural disorder, from accidentally ingesting this product hidden in some foods they actually have added in the food at a restaurant (aspartame, sometimes they hide in coffee, but they do not REQUIRE LABELING - secret formula and GRAS status of aspartame), but never have I experienced any sickness from the use of supermarket borax or sodium carbonate labeled at 100%.

I actually have a dithizone tests and other tests of heavy metal to check for presence of mercury, lead, cadmium, iron etc. and most of the problems I have encountered came more from fertilizers, tap water, insecticides, water filter, certain pots and pans (cadmium, iron, aluminum).

The reason for all the fear of chemicals and legal disclaimer is that the seller is not given permission by the government for internal consumption even IF THE products are ACTUALLY SAFE if we actuall DO THE CHEMICAL PURITIES TEST.

If people have the money to bother to do the impurity tests a lot of people will be surprise to find that quite often the opposite is true, most processed foods and processed water, drinks, etc. are actually more contaminated. I have seen pools of aluminum found in baking goods (they create a sort of electrolysis and the aluminum ends up in the bakery products, baked goods, whenever an aluminum foil is used. People are sick simply just preparing coffee and tea in aluminum tea pots. I have actually found a simple way to check by using a small laser pointer pointing in these liquids and see tyndall effect (which are like rays of light you can see when you drive headlights in a fog). The clearer the rays, the more contaminated is the boiled water. So I tend actually to worry more about processed food than I do getting borax, or sodium carbonate from the source.

The other reason why I don't worry a lot from their uses is I always take EDTA, or no sugar no milk Green Tea to remove whatever heavy metals I consumed, which is quite often from the office water tank, rice cooker, and other processed foods, rather than sources from natural borax. This is a very slow learning process for most people to unlearn what they have geen taught and I think it is going to take many decades not years for general consumer to realize this fact. I am not entirely optimistic that people will realize this unless they bother to do their own chemical analysis and get the facts straight. The SYSTEM as we know it is a monopoly on medicine and they don't want people to stray off this area, even if THE SYSTEM doesn't work.

In general, if I cannot get USP grade, Food Grade, or Analytical Grade borax, I usually end up having to purchase those found in supermarket. I have little choice. I never tell anyone what to buy, it must be noted that I only tell myself what I can or cannot buy. What you do buy, you just have to decide for yourself. There's a good reason for that, different countries has different standards. However, my own take on the problem is they are relatively pure for most purposes since the quantitities used is actually quite small, such as 1/4 teaspoon per liter of water, so whatever contaminant in the parts per million is reduced fractionally of that amount to multibplied by .001 (about 0.1% percent) of whichever value of contaminant.

It must be noted that a lot of remedies I used is almost like 16th Century medicine and obviously 21st century products isn't selling anymore or hard to find. Therefore much of the decision, ulimately depends on you. If you want an authoritive figure to decide instead of you (if you trust him but I don't), then it is likely they will not recommend any natural remedies I post. Unfortunately for them, their treatment is actually killing me several times over, and I ended up saving my own life without much help from anyone else. That's at least my experience, perhaps, I am unlucky to rely on them.

Ted

General Feedback
Posted by Rena (Mineral Bluff, Georgia, Usa) on 03/14/2010

Hi Phil from Dearing Ga. If you look down at the sources you will see Earth Clinic's name as the source. I've notice this a lot on Natural News, seems they quote Ted frequently.


General Feedback
Posted by Phil (Dearing, Ga) on 03/14/2010

Hello Ted and others. Since this last post I found an article on Naturalnews.com that SUPPORTS the use of 20 Mule team borax as a detox for floride. It gives the same directions that Ted gives here.

Here is the link and it is under boron on this page. When I typed this in it said link broken and did I mean and I clicked on that and the page came up...So I hope this works for you all.

http://www.naturalnews.com/026605_fluoride_fluorides_detox.html

I have found very little on borax other than here on Earth Clinic...

We explore and find more info everyday.


General Feedback
Posted by Mama (London, Ontario) on 03/12/2010

To The_Phoenix: I did register, I'm not sure if it worked or not, I didn't receive any confirmation from EC. I don't really know how to follow threads - I'm very new at this site. I would love to hear of any more help though. And guess what... I decided to do just the Borax and H2O2 and I'm starting to feel better! I have more energy and actually made it upstairs for the first time all winter! I even cleaned the living room. Do you think it would be too much if I start Oil Pulling? I hear so many good reports about it. Or should I just stick with what I'm doing for now? I also forgot to tell you that I am avoiding all processed foods and basically eating just rice, beans, potatoes, raw and cooked fresh veggies, raw juices, molasses and raw honey. I'll add more later but for now, these are the only things that don't make me flare up really bad. Oh, and raw bee pollen. (apparently you can live on that stuff!)

Thanks again for all your help,
Mama :)


General Feedback
Posted by Mama (London, Ontario) on 03/12/2010

To Lisa from Thousand Oaks: Thankyou so much for all of your encouragement. I will look at those you tube videos that you recommended. I am starting to feel somewhat better already. The peroxide therapy and the Borax are really working. The non processed food diet and allergen avoidance is a real help too. I test everything with Kinisiology first to see if my body likes it. My husband and I have become quite good at it and it never fails to be accurate. My energy has gone up quite a bit.

Thanks again,
Mama :)


General Feedback
Posted by Blanche (New Iberia, La) on 03/11/2010

I think you may be confusing borax with boric acid powder, which IS used to kill insects by contact.


General Feedback
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 03/11/2010

Hi Mama, I was very touched by what you wrote. I relate to it very much as I have had a rough last 4 years with my physical issues which seemed to hit me overnight. It has been quite a process but I just want to encourage you to not give up! There have been moments when I felt so discouraged but then, something would rise up from inside of me and fight! Then again, I've always been that way. I too have 2 young children and know how you can feel that you are disappointing them. I have 3 much older ones who I had when I was younger and I could ride bikes with them, have races, hike, rollerblade etc. but can't do that with these two who are 13 and my daughter who turned 11 the other day. Still, they are so patient with me and understanding. My son carries my bags for me all the time without prompting so imagine the lessons he is learning for some young woman some day!

Anyway, I have had major breakthroughs since last Oct with juicing and raw foods. All the excruciating pain is gone! I still have hip issues but I feel rejuvenated in my resolve that one day that will be gone too. I have a ballet studio that I teach at everyday but I can no longer demonstrate the steps. My kids are well-trained so they can learn the steps with me talking them through and they take turns showing the steps as I talk them through so it's an opportunity for them to really grow and what a lesson for me to let go!

I don't know if you have read any of my posts and I hesitate to reiterate as I'm sure many readers might think it's quite redundant. Still, I would highly recommend that you listen to Dr. Brian Clement on youtube who is so very inspiring. I have been in contact with two women that I have met from this site that we now correspond and both of them could not believe how his information has impacted them. He has literally helped thousands to overcome debilitating illnesses through changing their eating habits/lifestyles. I no longer NEED naps in the afternoon before I return to the studio, I can walk distances again and I am out of constant pain. I attribute it to the green juices I drink every morning now and eating a lot of raw veggies and adding in lots of sprouts and now sea veggies.

Please take care of yourself. Remember, you are the hub of the wheel. Love yourself enough to do that and remember, the more we love, the more love we have to give. And you are not alone. I'm glad you were encouraged by this site.

BTW, sisters out there, there is a fantastic program going on right now to empower women sexually, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Some of the top people in human potential are speakers in it. It is only running for two weeks and is completely free. It only started yesterday but go immediately and check it out as each speaker is only posted for a number of hours and each speaker speaks for an hour! It is at wishsummit.com for those interested. Enjoy!

To your health!
Peace,
Lisa


General Feedback
Posted by Arn (Seattle, Wa.) on 03/11/2010

Please don't go overboard in your reactions to using borax.

On one hand, it is not the toxic insecticide some imagine. The mechanism by which it kills bugs is by contact. They get a particle of borax on them, it burns a hole in the wax coating on their shells, they dehydrate. That's not going to happen to humans.

On the other hand, it is a micro nutrient, meaning your body doesn't need and can't use much. Big doses over a long period aren't a good idea. In concentration it kills pretty much every bacteria, virus and fungus which is handy for a lot of uses but not for your body. I wonder what it does to the friendly flora in your gut.

By the way, try putting a teaspoon each of sugar and borax in your Christmas tree water next year. It will stay green into spring.

General Feedback
Posted by Mama (London, Ontario) on 03/10/2010

This is to the_phoenix:

Thank you so much for responding to my concerns. It made me cry reading your response (but in a good way). I am going to follow your very sound advice and not try too many things at once. Maybe just one at a time. And I will study up on the things you suggested, because they sound like they might be of help.

My children are growing way too fast and I'm afraid that when I'm finally better and able to get down on the floor and play with them, and run around outside with them; that I'll look to find them all grown up - and I missed it!
I want so bad to have the energy that I need. They drug me out of the house for the first time this winter, and I climbed up the tiny little snow hill that they had made - put myself in the sled and slid down the tiny drop. They wanted me to go down again but with all of us on it; but I had just used up all the energy I had and laid in the snow for 20 minutes trying to get enough energy to go back to the house.

They looked so sad! I let them down again and it hurts a lot to see them disappointed. They know that Mommy doesn't feel well and they know that if I could - I would, but they just deserve more then I can give them.

I sooo wish that once I'm better that I could go back and be the Mother I set out to be, when we decided to have children. I had it all planned out, there was nothing I wanted more - I could see it in my mind... many trips to the beach, to the parks, to the zoos, baking cakes and cookies, playing all day outside in the sun, all that fun stuff; but since my first child was born; it still hasn't happened.

Finding earth clinic has made me feel not so alone in this, and I'm reading about new things I haven't tried. (really I haven't tried much, I've spent the last 10 years trying to cure the rest of my family of their issues). But you are right... It's time I look after me, because they need me to be healthy and I need me to be. I know that I can do this... I just have to.

Thanks again for your input,
Mama


General Feedback
Posted by Mama (London, Ontario) on 03/08/2010

I have really severe fibromyalgia and will be in a wheel chair in a few years if I don't do something about this, so I'm really glad that I found earth clinic. I am going to try the borax, h2o2, acv, baking soda, magmesiun, vitamin b's and colloidal silver. I am only 35 with four small children and I live in constant pain with chronic fatigue and everything else that goes with it. This ailment has stolen from me the joy of parenthood. These years should be an absolute treasure for me - not misery.

I also have a child with type 1 diabetes that we have been trying to cure for 6 years now. Can I give her (11years) borax and or h2o2? She must be full of flouride if I am. I know everyone says that you can't cure it but our bodies rebuild themselves and correct themselves if we bring them back to balance with what we take out, and what we put in. What do you think?

Thanks for your time,
Mama

General Feedback
Posted by Rob (Manhattan, New York) on 02/12/2010

In my 1st trial of the Borax remedy, I used 1/4 tsp to a liter of bottled water (reverse osmosis) I only took what would amount to about 4 ounces in the evening. (a few sips) As stated the effect was rather positive.

I had experienced a clarity of sleep & dreaming that I rarely experience. Reminded me of when I was young. However continuing the next day...with only about 6 to 8 ounces more I did not experience the same effect the 2nd night..I had some tenderness in my back but could attribute it to my anxiety over ingesting this from what others have reported. I decided to try the supplement, Boron, instead to see if it had the same effects, which it did not. (dosage on label) I perceived no effect from it. Since then I have tried Borax once more (1/8 tsp to a liter) a few sips before bed. & what I experienced was an elevation of body temperature (slight night sweating) and increased dream recall though not as pronounced as my 1st trial... In summary, I like the effects of this remedy though cannot confirm that it doesn't cause any harm. (I would imagine most Doctors reading this thinking we are crazy for ingesting this stuff) Still, considering that it is no more toxic than table salt, (wiki) I will continue with occasional trials & run it by my Dr. If he gives me a firm no... I will stop.


General Feedback
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, Ga) on 02/11/2010

I have only done the borax remedy about 8 times since I wrote my first feedback on the subject. Since I plan on doing this for quite some time, I am not especially in a hurry. I haven't done the remedy in over a week. I follow a fairly intuitive process regarding the remedy each morning... to do or not to do! Nay is the response as of late. I had flu symptoms appear 2 of the 8 times and I think it may have been because I drank a large amount of water (after I got home from training), rather than sipping the liter of water throughout the day which Ted recommends. As I mentioned in post #2, I got severe aching in the joints. Another time I suddenly got an intense pressure on my crown, just above my forehead, which felt rather like the beginnings of a fever. I clobbered the side effects (or an actual flu, I will never know for sure) with the hydrogen peroxide inhalation method and 1 adult dose of aspirin right before bed. When I woke up the next morning, no symptoms.

Two people have emailed me about the kind of borax I am using -- it's 20 Mule Team.

Final note: I have lowered my borax dosage to 1/16 teaspoon to 1 liter of steam distilled water.


Hair and Scalp
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 02/11/2010

another update!!!

ok so i started using the borax again since everything else i have tried, eggs, my soap bars, all leave residue on my hair.

what i've found is that if i put 1 tsp. of borax in a pint of warm water and stir it up good and then use it to wash it works great - with no build up!

and i can still use my ACV rinse - 1 tsp. ACV in a pint of warm water!

i think the key is to rinse very well after the borax and then leave the acid rinse on for a few minutes.

citric acid did not work at all for me :(

also the saturated solution built up on my hair very fast - but at this dilution (perhaps because it is not totally saturated) does not appear to be building up on my hair or my scalp.

and i occasionally use this same measurement on my rattie boy if he gets itchy!!!


Athlete's Foot
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 02/04/2010
★★★★★

Borax for athletes foot:

After trying everything else you could buy at the store for his pretty much life long athletes foot problem - and not having results my boyfriend finally decided to try the remedy I kept telling him to try... borax - which he thought was poison him instantly but he 'trusted' the OTC stuff at the store!!! LOL

He wet his feet and then took a handful and rubbed it all over his feet.

He said they stopped itching immediately! He was stunned.

A few weeks later I asked him how his athletes foot was and he said: oh wow! It hasn't come back! That stuff totally cured it!!!

Now he tells all his friends about borax ;)

Fluoride Detox
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 02/01/2010 391 posts
★★★★★

Borax was used to remove fluoride poisoning in a Rabbit study given toxic doses of fluoride. Boron is also a required mineral. The doses of boric acid (which is more toxic then borax) in the study quoted is estimated at doses of roughly 4.5 g to 4.90 grams/kg, would be equivalent of taking boric acid (which equivalent) in a typical 70 kg adult of 4.5x70 grams to 4.98 x 70 grams. The idea of fluoride removal using borax was based on a toxicity research on giving fluoride at toxic dose, rabbits fed on borax were protected from the fluoride poisoning. If there is difficulty in using fluoride or obtaining them, it's possible to eat tamarind which is also an good chelation agent of fluoride too, however, borax has a unique property in being less toxic then boric acid, and it's alkaline, but it's also a required mineral and normalizes hormone level. Different studies used higher LD50 on borax toxicity, but I used a much lower figures about 2 grams/kg, where the toxicity is equivalent to salt, which has a value roughly 2 grams/kg weight also. A chelation agent of mineral I can use humic acid, zeolite, or a mixture of humic acid and zeolite together also. However, humic acid interestingly enough lowers excitotoxicity (aspartate and glutamate) that's found high in ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and aspartame poisoning, found in many sugar free products, one interesting side effect is the desire to pee every 30 minutes or so throughout the day. It takes about 1-4 weeks to remove this extreme urinary urgency. Fluoride on the other hand has a suppressive effect, but both together cause (with aspartame) caused extreme sleeplessness and apathy at even low doses, found in fluoridation and fluoridated toothpaste. As to whether borax removes or chelate fluoride, the idea of chelation requires more chemical analysis at a molecular level, and i can't find a research study on that one. However, there is increase in fluoride excretion when borax for example, implying the removal of fluoride, and possibly chelation of fluoride. In which case the level of toxic reaction to fluoride is removed whenever fluoride is taken at toxic doses, and using the borax, for example, as the antidote. The idea of using borax is based on subacute doses of luoride poisoning, which is a common one given the excessive fluoride consumption, is based on this study:

Fluoride 1981; 14(1):21-29

Boron as antidote to fluoride: effect on bones and claws in subacute intoxication of rabbits

Elsair J, Merad R, Denine R, Azzouz M, Khelfat K, Hamrour M, Alamir B, Benali S, Reggabi M

Laboratories of Physiology, Toxicology and Galenic Pharmacy, Medical Institute, Algiers, Algeria

Summary: Rabbits were "subacutely" intoxicated by administration of 30 mg/kg/day of fluoride for 3 months followed by 15 mg/kg/day for a subsequent 3 months (F). Boron was given alone (B) as preventive and simultaneously with fluoride prophylactically (F + Bp), as well as therapeutically namely midway during the experimental period (F + Bpc) while fluoride was being administered and after it was discontinued (Bc compared with fluoirde interuption F*), at a constant F/B ratio. All groups were compared to normal controls.

Boron administered during fluoride intoxication or after its interruption, reduces fluoremia and increases urinary fluoride excretion. Skeletal fluoride levels are directly relatd to those of claws. They bear no relationship to fluoride in hair. The high fluoride content in bone in lot F decreases with addition of boron. It is still high in lot F* but returns to normal in loc Bc. Calcium content of bones remains normal in all lots. Posterior pad radiography shows a cortical thickness in lot F which is less pronounced in lots F + Bpc and F*, and returns to normal in lot Bc.
-----------------------------

If a person were to take very high amounts of fluoride, then you need a combination of other remedies including tamarind, and grinded seeds of tamarind, which is also used to detox fluoride in the environment, especially the tamarind seed powder, or possibly tamarind seed extract. Unfortunately tamarind is a food and is not a required mineral as in boron, so it's considered a fruit, but can also be used to remove fluoride. Tamarind is a common candy in Thailand and is easily available here and is used in preparing various food delicacy here in Thailand also. It's not possible to prove the chelation of fluoride per se, but researchers assume they do, and from a practical point of view, as a consumer, it reduces fluoride toxicity and subacute doses, and that I find it just fine for most applications.


Borax Dosages
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 01/30/2010
★★★★★

If you compare the borax LD50 (median lethal dose) values to that of ordinary table salt, you will get some clarity as to the comparable toxicity of Borax. Here is the LD50 values for the oral toxicity of table salt in a rat study:

LD50 is 3000 mg/kg in rats.

Link to MSDS sheet for salt:
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/SO/sodium_chloride.html

So when compared to the LD50 figures for borax (from the last post) this means that borax appears to be of a similar toxicity to rats as ordinary table salt. Anything above LD50 2000 mg/kgm is generally regarded as Low Toxicity.


Borax Dosages
Posted by Nicholas (Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire) on 01/30/2010

Hi I have nothing against borax but just so you know what levels are harmful or have adverse effects I wanted to post this abstract from a study in the area. I would be keen to hear feedback, I unfortunatly can't access the study myself without paying to see it. So the limited information I have attained from this study is that you are safe to use borax as long as you can keep the levels at 175 ppm as (boron equivalent).

What sort of dose that is I do not know and would not like to go over it.

Now I have heard it is a great chemical for chelation of metals. Does it also chelate fluorides? This is really my main interest as fluorides are recommended to be kept below a certain level and evidence suggests I would be surpassing this. Not that I would no how to test this to be true.

One last comment the zeolite clinoptilite sounds brilliant for taking the heavy metals, I have done little research into it, all thoughts and responses welcome. Thank you

Here's the abstract:

Abstract

In Sprague-Dawley rats the acute po LD50 values for borax were 4.5 g/kg and 4.98 g/kg in males and females. respectively; boric acid, 3.45 g/kg in males and 4.08 g/kg in females. In Long-Evans male rats the LD50 values for borax and boric acid were 6.08 g/kg and 3.16 g/kg, respectively. In 90 day feeding studies, rats tolerated both borax and boric acid at 525 ppm boron equivalent. Dogs displayed no adverse effect at 175 ppm of borax (as boron equivalent) and 525 ppm of boric acid (as boron equivalent). In rats, high boron levels at 1750 and 5250 ppm of both compounds caused growth suppression, decreased food utilization efficiency, degeneration of gonads and skin desquamation on the paws and tails. At the 1750 ppm level, both boron compounds produced testicular atrophy in all male dogs. Two year dietary feeding studies indicated that both borax and boric acid could be tolerated by rats and dogs at 350 ppm boron equivalent. Rats fed dietary boron compounds at 1170 ppm levels showed toxic signs which were found to be similar to those observed in subchronic studies. Testicular degeneration was also observed in rats and dogs fed 1170 ppm levels. Reproduction studies revealed that rats fed both borax and boric acid at 1170 ppm boron equivalent were sterile. Both compounds at 350 ppm boron equivalent had no adverse effect on fertility, lactation, litter size, weight and appearance.

EC: The above-referenced abstract is from ScienceDirect here.

Here is ppm conversion chart: http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=0+1305


Hair and Scalp
Posted by Rena (Mineral Bluff, Georgia, Usa) on 01/27/2010

Hi Earth Clinic Readers,

I just want to inform readers that my beautician did finally tell me that she could tell my hair is getting dry, so I had to cut back on the use of borax and use regular shampoo and conditioner again. Still good stuff to use, but just not as often, Peace, Rena.


Hair and Scalp
Posted by Breann (St. Louis, Mo) on 01/26/2010
★★★★★

Hi. I am addicted to this site, and I've found many helpful posts. So, I wanted to quickly respond to the amount of Borax to use for hair and scalp. Obviously, I'm only speaking from my experience. I use a palmful of borax (2 or 3 TBS.), which I rub into my scalp. I rinse it out and then clean my hair, as normal. At the end, I use a final rinse of 1/8 C Borax mixed in 1 Liter of water (I keep the solution in a rinsed plastic soda bottle). I do not rinse out this mixture. I, then, dry and style my hair as usual. Since the first application, I have no longer suffered with an itchy, flaking scalp. It's been wonderful!


General Feedback
Posted by Lily (Brisbane, Australia) on 01/21/2010

to Deirdre about the borax and filtered water. I also did the borax 1/8th teaspoon in I litre of (tap) water and the first two days I had brain fog and a strange slight pain in my kidneys. I stopped using it and the next week I tried it again with no side affects and no change of water type. I think it is just the initial few days that give some people grief. I went back to it because of the lovely sleepy feeling it gave me at night and it helped to cure my insomnia.


General Feedback
Posted by Peter (Chicago, Il) on 01/21/2010

Deirdre, What brand of Borax did you use ? Thanks !


Multiple Cures
Posted by Victoria (Sydney, Australia) on 01/19/2010
★★★★★

I started using apple cider vinegar (approx 1-2 tablespoon) with baking soda (1 teaspoon) in 750ml of water, and 1/8 teaspoon in borax every morning, and the same mixture again at night (without the borax). It has only been about 10days since I started doing this.

It has reduced all of my bloating, increased my energy, my stomach is almost flat again! This is something that I couldn't even achieve as a personal trainer and working out 6 days a week. I think I'm even passing some parasites (or what looks like parasites- little white things). My body is getting back to what I looked like as a teenager. Its amazing!

Also it is keeping by bm's 'regular', which has been an issue for me in the past.

I have not changed my diet at all, but I now no longer take sugar in my coffee, as I don't like the sweet taste (since starting the remedy). Also I'm not hungry all the time like I used to be!

Thanks goodness for Earth Clinic!

EC: Thanks! Cross-posted to the acv and baking soda remedy page.

Mites
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 01/19/2010 391 posts

I don't know exactly for demodex mites but a Morgellon's (which is quite close) do survive in them, at least one that I know that happened in Hawaii, as the guy who makes the cream had Morgellon's disease, so that's how the buyer got it. While there's no demdodex mites, the Morgellon's certainly spew out tiny bugs out of her skin, almost like a demodex mites. It's best to make the creams or remedies yourself. Certain things used in creams and lotions do die, such as lemon oil, orange oil, or even tea tree for example, but that depends on how much those were used to have some killing effect.

Another common method of getting mites is from used furniture or clothes from strangers, family or friends who had demodex mites.


General Feedback
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 01/19/2010

I did an experiment Saturday and added 1/8th teaspoon of borax to 1 liter of tap water filtered with a relatively new Brita filter (instead of steam distilled water, which I have been using since last week). I drank the entire liter during the course of the day and by nightfall, all of my joints ached like crazy and I had some brain fog. Same symptoms as when you are getting the flu. Awful!! Sunday I took the day off from the borax remedy, drank a ton of water, and my aching joints and brain fog gradually went away... I'd say it took about 24 hours for the symptoms to pass. Yesterday and today I have resumed the borax remedy but am using the steam distilled water that I bought at the grocery store. I feel fine, no side effects. So I think the kind of water used does make a difference. I would be curious to hear from other people doing the borax remedy (especially those experiencing side effects) what type of water they are using.

I might also add that on Saturday I tried DMSO for the first time (will submit separate feedback on that), but I don't think it had much to do with the side effects I was experiencing. Thought I'd mention it nonetheless.


Mites
Posted by Dj (Mv, Mo) on 01/19/2010

For Nettie from Banning... I can not use creams or oils on my skin. My mom gave me a glycerin-based product with "fermented" copper and other minerals in it. She got it from a TV shopping channel. Worked absolute wonders! Hope this helps.


Mites
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 01/18/2010

try some virgin coconut oil on your face or even extra virgin olive oil.

both of these will also help smother the mites. i have treated pets of mine who had mites in the past by putting on a generous layer of virgin coconut oil and rubbing it into their skin and fur.

so for sure it won't make the mites worse!!!

djh


Mites
Posted by Nettie (Banning, Ca) on 01/18/2010
★★★★☆

Demodex Mites - Hi Ted,

I'am on my fifth day of the borax treatment 1/4 teaspoon in a liter of water and I have noticed the itching is not as bad anymore. Now I only feel them on my face sometimes when they are moving around. I have been loosing eyelashes for 2months now and I have also been using tea tree oil in all my face products and shampoo. My question is what can I use on my face since it feels so dry after everything I use. I hear that using creams on your skin only makes it worse its like mite food, but I cant stand feeling my face so dry and stretched out. Please advise me on what I should be applying on my face. I also wanted to ask you if the demodex mites could have come from a homemade cream I ordered online since there is no perservatives could it be they live in these creams?

General Feedback
Posted by Mrs. Willis (Las Vegas, Nv, Usa) on 01/17/2010

Diabetes, Kidneys, and Borax

Hi, I registered on the earthclinic site, haven't figured out how or where post new questions, thus the reason for this email. I have recently read a pdf from the borax company which concerns me - I will keep this short - I have diabetes - So I am worried about using borax. Will borax cause kidney damage in someone who may have diminshed kidney function? - but then I am only going on what I read in the pdf. Also I am morbidly obese [315]

here is the quote from the pdf:

'Note to physicians: Observation only is required for adult ingestion in the range of 4-8 grams of Borax. For ingestion of larger amounts, maintain adequate kidney function and force fluids. Gastric lavage is recommended for symptomatic patients only. Hemodialysis should be reserved for massive acute ingestion or patients with renal failure. Boron analyses of urine or blood are only useful for documenting exposure and should not be used to evaluate severity of poisoning or to guide treatment.'

I really want to beat this thing. I was diagnosed 2 years ago - I gave up sugar,pasta, white bread,msg,junk food etc - Trying to learn to love exercise! I wont use sugar substitutes - I take NO medications whatsoever! I want to be healthy, for years I did not, I just didn't care.

Please advise. Thank you, Lana

EC: Hi, you are indeed posting in the correct place. Just use the "Give Feedback" link at the top of any page to submit questions or feedback. We'll do the rest!

General Feedback
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 01/16/2010

I am on day 5 of Ted's borax remedy. I am treating what I believe it a fungal condition that I've had for over 10 years now (starting with athlete's foot I picked up at the dojo) and for fluoride removal.

I am taking a little less than 1/8th of a teaspoon in 1 litre of distilled water. I have not experienced any side effects with kidney pain like two people have recently reported on the site. However, when I tried this remedy about 2 years ago I did get kidney pain the second day because I had not read Ted's dosage carefully. The problem was (I think) that I did not dilute the borax in enough water... 2 years ago I think I put 1/8th of a teaspoon in 16 ounces of water, rather than 1 litre of water. 16 US fluid ounces = 0.473176473 litres!! Additionally, I did not use distilled water like I am now, but Brita filtered water (which doesn't remove chlorine). Perhaps using distilled water makes a difference. This time around I am making sure to err on the side of caution since I want to continue this for some time. I plan to take it 5 days on, 2 days off. If I have any side effects, I will stop for a few days and continue with even less borax.

Rob from New York mentioned that he had vivid dreams on the first night of taking borax for vertigo. I did too. In fact I had a strange dream about coughing up some nasty looking phlegm! Hopefully that was a sign that the borax is indeed detoxing my body. Will post more as time goes by...

Hair and Scalp
Posted by Ratgirldjh (Austin, Texas, Usa) on 01/10/2010

UPDATE: i have been using borax for several weeks once a week to wash my hair with an ACV rinse and i started getting build up on my hair and scalp.

so i went and got the citric acid of which 1/4 tsp. in a pint of water is recommended to rinse borax away since supposedly vinegar and lime or lemon juice is not strong enough to remove the borax.

after i washed again and used the recommended 1/4 tsp. citric acid in a pint of water and then rinsed again my hair was VERY slimy feeling. and then it took over 5 hours to dry.

the next day it felt limp and coated.

finally i washed again and did a stronger citric acid rinse and had the same problem - slimy, coated hair that refused to dry :(

eventually i clarified my hair using clay and i am now afraid to use the borax because it obviously was building up on my hair.

so if you use this method keep an eye out for the borax building up on your hair. in my hair this was evident by it becoming limper and limper and less shiny and feeling very soft and smoother than usual (at first a good thing LOL) and feeling like i had coated it in fabric softener.

then i had little white hard things coming out of my scalp as well as a weird waxy coating on my brush bristles when i would brush.



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