When you think of Borax you might still think of the 20 Mule Trail that branded this natural naturally occurring mineral. Way back in the 1890s, the mule train was used to haul the substance from the mines out of CA in large quantities making it affordable for people. It was actually first discovered in the dry lake beds in Tibet.
Borax is known as sodium borate, not to be confused in use with the trace mineral Boron. The mineral Boron is valued as a partner with the macro-minerals; Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. It works synergistically to help the body metabolize them for proper bone development, maintenance, and support joint health. Boron should be an integral part of any program addressing arthritis. Lack of Boron in the system may cause calcium and magnesium to be not be utilized, therefore passing a portion out through the urine.
Borax is used in the process of making boric acid, and the two should not be confused. Boric acid has been used since the time of the Greeks for cleaning, preserving food, and other household uses. Boric acid can be used as an antiseptic for minor burns or cuts and can be used in dressings or salves. In a very dilute solution, it is used as an eyewash, douche for bacterial infections that are alkaline based, as well as for candidiasis.
As a child, you might have grown up with Borax being used to wash your clothes or clean your house. Today it has a wide variety of uses as an ingredient in cosmetics, fire retardants, antifungals, and enamel paints.
Around the barn and home;
- Natural pesticide for roaches, ants - mix equal parts with sugar and borax and sprinkle around the areas.
- Flea Deterrent - Sprinkle Borax on areas where you suspect fleas are hatching.
- Mice deterrent - sprinkle it along the walls in the barn. Mice don’t like to get it on their feet so they avoid it.
There is controversy as to using Borax internally in small doses, perhaps a pinch for a horse and a smaller pinch for a pony. If you are looking for the effects of a mineral I would select Boron over Borax always. Boron has too much value as a mineral on its own while Borax has its own value topically and environmentally.