Borax

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral commonly mined from dried salt lakes, and is the source of other manufactured boron compounds. The main deposits are in California and Turkey.

Borax is the sodium salt of the weak boric acid.  A solution of borax is strongly alkaline with a pH between 9 and 10. When ingested, it reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form boric acid and sodium chloride. The boron content of Borax is 11.3% while for boric acid it is 17.5%.

Due to its content of boron, borax has good antiseptic, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties with mild antibacterial action. In plants as well as animals boron is essential for the integrity and function of cell walls, and the way signals are transmitted across membranes.

Boron is distributed throughout the body with the highest concentration in the parathyroid glands, followed by bones and dental enamel. It is essential for healthy bone and joint function, regulating the absorption and metabolism of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus through its influence on the parathyroid glands. With this boron is for the parathyroids what iodine is for the thyroid.

Boron deficiency causes the parathyroids to become overactive, releasing too much parathyroid hormone which raises the blood level of calcium by releasing calcium from bones and teeth. This then leads to osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis, osteoporosis and tooth decay.

Borax is also a powerful cleaning agent. It can be used for all-purpose and deep cleaning, to prevent mildew build-up, get read of odors, to clean laundry etc. To activate borax, make sure that you use it in hot water.