Don’t ingest borax: Experts say the cleaning product is a dangerous substitute for boron

The latest viral health trend circulating on social media claims borax, a common cleaning product and laundry booster, can treat a variety of ailments. But experts warn that ingesting borax is dangerous.

In a July 18 Facebook video, a woman lists several health problems, including joint pain, kidney stones, osteoporosis and chronic fatigue, and claims all of this and more can be treated with "a little pinch of borax each day in a glass of water."

The video shows a borax box that describes the product as a "detergent booster and multi-purpose household cleaner." The box says the product "helps remove stains and neutralizes odors." It includes a warning to avoid contact with eyes and "not take internally."

The woman claims small doses of borax can be taken as an alternative to boron supplements.

"There are probably a lot of people who may not be able to buy the boron tablets, but they can certainly afford a box of borax. It’s pretty dang cheap and you get a lot of it," the woman says in the video. "I’ve been using it for probably over two months now, and I have seen a drastic reduction in my joint pain."

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The Facebook video and other social media posts are conflating borax, a naturally occurring compound composed of sodium, oxygen and boron, with boron, a naturally occurring mineral found in many foods. But experts say the two are not interchangeable.

"Ingesting borax isn’t the same as ingesting boron from food or supplements, and eating or drinking borax is dangerous," Liz Weinandy, a registered dietician at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, wrote in a July 19 article.

It’s illegal to use borax in foods sold in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Consuming borax can cause gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, along with rashes, headaches and convulsions. Ingesting very large amounts could lead to death, the National Institutes of Health warns.

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Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor told PolitiFact that compared with this time last year, the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C., where she works as a medical toxicologist, co-medical director and interim executive director, has seen an increase in human exposure to borax and boric acid.

"In addition to consuming borax, some people are bathing in borax solutions as well, likely because of increased social media mentions of this as a method of detoxification," Johnson-Arbor said.

The detergent company that makes borax, 20 Mule Team Borax, urges consumers on its website not to bathe in borax, apply it to skin or ingest it.

"Borax is not intended for use as a personal care product or dietary supplement. Do not use outside the recommended uses as a laundry booster and multi-purpose cleaner," the website says.

If people ingest borax, the company recommends they rinse their mouths with milk or water and call a physician.

Weinandy said people should not worry about a lack of boron in their diet since trace amounts of the element are found naturally in many fruits, vegetables and nuts. Boron can also be found in coffee, beer and wine. Most people will get enough boron just from eating a healthy diet, she said.

The National Institutes of Health says boron is not an essential nutrient for humans because research has not identified a clear biological function for it yet. Until more research is done on the effects of boron, the National Institutes of Health says people should limit their boron intake.

The recommended maximum intake of boron for adults is 20 milligrams, and for children the limit is as low as 3 milligrams, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Social media posts claimed borax, a household cleaning product, can be ingested to treat multiple health problems.

Borax should not be used as an alternative to boron supplements or naturally occuring boron in foods, health and nutrition experts say. Consuming borax can cause adverse health effects, and in large amounts, it could lead to death.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!