Is medical borax poisonous? Can it be eaten?

Borax is widely used. It can be used in daily necessities, such as detergents, cosmetics, laundry detergents, etc. It can also be refined into medicines to clear away heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and relieve pain, and treat various sores. However, borax is toxic and harmful to humans. It cannot be used as a food additive. Once borax poisoning occurs, diarrhea, vomiting, allergies, and even shock will occur. Direct contact with borax should be avoided in daily life.

【Alias】Moonstone

【Source】 Crystals formed by refining borax ore.

[Main producing areas] Qinghai, Tibet, Shaanxi, etc.

[Preparation method] After the ore is dug out, it is dissolved in boiling water, and impurities are filtered out. After the filtrate is cooled, crystals are precipitated and taken out and dried.

【Nature and flavor and meridians】Sweet, salty, and cool. It enters the lung and stomach meridians.

[Functions and indications] External use can clear away heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and prevent corrosion; internal use can clear the lungs and resolve phlegm. It is used for acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sore throat, mouth ulcers, stomatitis, gingivitis, otitis media, red and swollen eyes, and pityriasis versicolor. It is a commonly used medicine for ENT diseases! It is used internally for cough with phlegm and heat, but is rarely used in modern times.

[Usage and Dosage] For external use, apply an appropriate amount with other drugs, grind into powder and apply to the affected area. Either for external washing or prepared into eye drops for external use.

【Note】Generally not for internal use. (Chinese medicine can be taken in pills or powder form, 1.5-3.0g each time.)

[Ready-made medicine] Bingpengsan (from "The Authentic Surgery") borneol, borax, Xuanming powder, cinnabar. →Used to treat mouth sores, sore throat.

Basic Information

Chinese name: Sodium tetraborate, PT

Chinese alias: Borax, sodium tetraborate (decahydrate), yellow moon sand, borax (medicinal), moonstone sand

English Name: Sodium tetraborate decahydrate

English alias: Borax decahydrate, Sodium borate decahydrate

Level: PT

CAS No.: 1303-96-4

Molecular formula: Na2B4O7·10H2O

Molecular weight: 381.37

Borax (medicinal)

Description

Colorless translucent crystals or white crystalline powder, easily soluble in hot water and glycerin, insoluble in alcohol, and efflorescent. The aqueous solution reacts alkalinely to litmus and phenolphthalein. Aqueous solution shows the identification reaction of sodium salt and borate. It easily absorbs water in the air, forms partial hydrates, and becomes opaque. Slowly soluble in water.

Physical parameters

Density: 1.73

Melting point: 75℃

Storage and transportation

Keep sealed.

Usage

Chromatography reagents, buffers, metal fluxes.