Why boron is not the same as borax

Countless reports, books, and shared experiences have been written about borax (sodium borate) over the years. However, it's important to be aware that borax only contains about 11% boron and 17% boric acid . It's crucial to note that borax can be toxic in high concentrations and should therefore be handled with care.

The remaining 72% are other substances such as sodium and oxygen. The chemical formula of borax is Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, meaning it consists of sodium (Na), boron (B), oxygen (O), and water (H₂O). Borax occurs as colorless crystals or a white powder and is frequently used as a cleaning agent, pesticide, and in the chemical industry.

The compound of borax with water forms a basic solution that can act as a buffer and regulate pH levels. Besides its use as a cleaning agent and pest control, borax is also used in the production of glazes, as a flame retardant, and in metallurgy.

It is important to note that borax can be toxic in high concentrations and should therefore be handled with care. In small amounts, however, borax can be used safely and offers a variety of applications in various industries; logically, it is not always beneficial to human health.
Pure boron, which is valuable for health, must first be extracted before it can be further processed. Examples include calcium fructoborate, boric acid, tetraborate, or borate citrate. This naturally costs much more to produce than borax.

Borax is a well-known folk remedy that our ancestors and many people around the world have successfully used for cleaning, washing, or even for short-term treatments. However, there is a great risk that substances unrelated to boron can lead to poisoning or an allergic reaction. A correct dosage is not possible, as the initial value of the individual substances cannot be calculated. Anyone who has ever taken too much borax knows the nausea that accompanies it.

Therefore, in my opinion, borax is rightly not permitted as a food supplement in the EU. We therefore use other pure boron compounds that can actually be used successfully for internal application and are legally permitted. No side effects are known here.