Buzz
I'm starting to think that anything can go viral on TikTok if you mix it into lemon water and hype up its health perks. This week, that 'thing' is Borax. Yes, the laundry product.
One creator after another (they prefer being called 'creator' over 'influencer') is producing identical content: Holding up a box of 20 Mule Team Borax to the camera, they claim it can detoxify, balance hormones, or ease arthritis. A pinch—or a couple—goes into a glass of water (lemon optional). The product is often presented as totally natural, implying it's inherently beneficial, and there's usually a hint of conspiracy, suggesting Big Pharma is hiding its true benefits.
So, what exactly is Borax?
Borax is a mineral also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate. Chemically, it contains sodium, hydrogen, and oxygen—elements we frequently encounter in food and water—along with the less common element boron.
Boron, a trace mineral, is found in very small amounts in our diet, and that seems sufficient. It's not considered a vital nutrient—meaning scientists believe we could survive without it—but some studies suggest it could benefit our bone health, metabolism, and other bodily functions, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Here’s the distinction: Boron is an element that could be helpful to our health; borax is the mineral that contains it. Borax is the product you can buy by the box in the laundry aisle of your favorite store.
Boric acid, another compound that contains boron, is sometimes used topically to treat yeast infections. However, this is not the same as borax.
(By the way, California holds one of the world’s largest borax deposits. An early mine in Death Valley began operations before railroads reached the area. The borax ore was transported on massive carts pulled by 20-mule teams to the railroad station, giving the product its name. It's also a fitting metaphor for its strength as a cleaning agent, or something.)
Borax can remove stains from clothes, eliminate pests, and even make slime when combined with glue. However, borax is not meant for consumption.
Why are people drinking borax?!
Because it supposedly cures everything! In just one morning of scrolling, I've come across claims that it eases arthritis pain, supports hormone function, boosts libido, relieves menstrual cramps, helps children with autism, removes nanotech from the body, and is a potential cancer cure.
Like ice water, borax is easy to access and something anyone can make at home. (At least in the U.S.—borax isn’t sold in Europe.) Unlike the recent ice water trend, this doesn’t appear to be a marketing ploy; people are genuinely debating in videos and comments that drinking borax is beneficial.
This trend, like so many ‘new’ things on TikTok, actually stems from an old myth. A document called 'The Borax Conspiracy' has been circulating since at least 2012, claiming borax is a cure for arthritis and that Big Pharma is hiding the truth from you. In reality, the study on boron supplementation from the supposedly ‘suppressed’ scientist is available for free online, and the NIH references it when discussing the potential health effects of boron (not borax). They say boron supplements 'might hold promise' for relieving arthritis pain, but more research is required.
Familiarize yourself with products that contain boron!
Boron supplements (3 mg) are available for those looking to boost their boron levels.
20 Mule Team Borax serves as a laundry booster and a versatile cleaning agent. Be sure to follow the safety instructions on the packaging and avoid consuming it.
What TikTokers are getting wrong about borax
To begin with, Borax advocates often confuse boron with borax. Boron is the element; if you wish to supplement with it, you can opt for boron supplements like these. It’s generally considered safe to take a few milligrams of boron daily; the supplements in the link provide 3 mg, which is a reasonable dose.
Next up is the issue of dosage. When a woman casually adds 'a pinch' of borax to her mason jar of water, that is far more than three milligrams. Borax contains 11.5% boron by weight. This means a quarter-teaspoon holds 245 milligrams of boron, and even if her 'pinch' is just 1/16th of a teaspoon, it still equals 61 milligrams.
The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board has set a limit of 20 milligrams per day for adult boron intake. For children, the limit is much lower—3 mg for toddlers and 11 mg for pre-teens. According to the NIH excessive boron consumption can lead to symptoms like headaches, hypothermia, restlessness, fatigue, kidney damage, skin irritation, hair loss, loss of appetite, and digestive issues. More severe symptoms from extreme boron poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, depression, and even blood vessel collapse.
Concerns over borax toxicity have raised questions about its safety as both a cleaning product and an ingredient in children’s craft projects (such as slime), making it even more ironic that people are now drinking it as a health elixir. When used as directed, borax is deemed safe, meaning it should not be ingested or inhaled.
Borax also has some fun uses, like acting as a flux in gold melting or mixing with alcohol to create green flames. If you're interested, TikTok has some cool videos showcasing these effects.
