Can borax treat inflammation?
The bottom line
Borax is a mineral-based compound that contains boron. It is commonly used as an industrial chemical, food preservative, and household cleaning product. Borax is not intended for human consumption, and may cause toxic effects when swallowed, inhaled, or applied to the skin. There is minimal evidence supporting the use of borax as an anti-inflammatory agent in humans.
Prevention Tips
Avoid consuming household chemicals, including laundry detergents.
Be wary of social media trends that claim to have health benefits, as the influencers who create the videos may have little (or no) medical training.
Talk to your doctor if you develop skin rashes, stomach upset, or other symptoms after contact with borax, boric acid, or other boron-containing products.
This Really Happened
An adult man added Epsom salts, baking soda, and boric acid to his bathwater in an attempt to detoxify his body. Immediately after taking the bath, his skin became itchy, red, and swollen. He called his poison center, and was advised to discontinue use of boric acid and baking soda baths as those can cause skin irritation and dryness. Two days later, he was evaluated in an Emergency Department due to severe and persistent symptoms. His medical workup was unremarkable, and he was able to be discharged home.
What is boron?
Boron is an element found in the Earth’s crust, and is also present in the air and water. Because of this, we are all exposed to boron on a daily basis, usually in the form of boric acid or borax. Plants obtain boron from the environment, and boron promotes plant growth, seed formation, and maintenance of cellular structure. Fruits, leafy vegetables, beans, and nuts are good dietary sources of boron. Boron is also present in many household products, including laundry detergents, flame-retardant insulation, and fertilizers. One form of boron, called boron nitride, is used to create smoothness in deodorants, eye shadows, and other cosmetic products.
What are boron supplements used for?
In humans, boron deficiency is associated with reduced brain function and may also affect bone density. Because of this, some people take dietary supplements that contain boron, although sufficient amounts of boron can also be easily obtained through food intake. There are limited published studies that demonstrate beneficial effects of boron supplementation in humans. In one study involving postmenopausal women, boron supplementation was linked to changes in calcium, estrogen, and testosterone levels, suggesting that it may also prevent the development of osteoporosis. However, the exact dose and duration of use of boron needed to affect bone health have not been determined.
What is borax?
Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is a boron-containing compound that is found in many household cleaning products. Borax is available in crystalline, powder, or granule formulation. It is white in color, does not have an odor, and dissolves easily in water. Borax was also used as a preservative agent to prevent food spoilage in World War I, and is still used in some countries to extend the shelf life of certain foods, including caviar. Borax is a chemical cousin of boric acid, another boron-containing compound that is present in some ant and roach killers.
What is borax used for?
In the United States, borax is commonly used as in industrial chemical for glass production. Borax is one of the ingredients used to make slime, and reacts with other chemicals to create slime’s characteristic texture. Borax is also used as a bleaching agent in laundry detergents and as an enzyme stabilizer in color-care products. As a household and industrial chemical, borax is not intended for human consumption.
Is borax good for inflammation?
Borax recently emerged on social media platforms as a popular “natural” cure for multiple ailments, including inflammation. Some social media videos describe borax consumption as a cure for arthritis and joint pains, while others promote borax baths as a method of detoxifying the human body. Since boron is found in nature, some influencers insist that scientists have downplayed the importance of boron’s role in human health, in order to make more money from the sale of prescription drug products. Despite these claims, there are very few published research studies concerning the anti-inflammatory effect of boron. In one test-tube study, borax helped prevent the growth of acne-causing bacteria and reduced inflammation caused by acne in cells. In studies involving rats, borax reduced inflammation due to chemotherapy and spinal cord injury. However, there is minimal evidence supporting a link between boron and anti-inflammatory activity in humans.
Is borax toxic?
Borax and other boron-containing compounds can be poisonous when eaten, inhaled, or applied to the skin. Short-term consumption of borax can result in stomach irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Vomit and stool may turn a blue-green color after eating borax. Skin redness, rashes, and peeling skin can also occur in people who eat borax. People who eat borax for weeks or longer may develop anemia and seizures. When borax comes into contact with human skin, it can cause skin rashes, itching, and allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
What should you do if borax makes you sick?
If someone eats borax, or if borax gets in the eyes or on the skin, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
