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 Boron Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain boron. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with a pharmacist or health care professional before starting. Scientists have studied boron for the following health problems:
Boron has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care professional before taking boron for any unproven use.
Allergies People should avoid boron if they have a known allergy to boron, boric acid, borax, citrate, aspartate or glycinate. Signs of allergy include rash, itching and shortness of breath. Side Effects Boron seems to be well tolerated in adults at doses less than 10 milligrams per day, but high doses can cause poisoning. Some people may experience stomach discomfort, including diarrhea. Other side effects are skin redness and peeling, eye irritation if exposed to boron dust, mouth or throat irritation, cough or fever. Excitability, irritability, tremors, seizures, weakness, headache and depression have also been reported. Boron may increase estrogen or testosterone levels, but the significance of this is unknown. Overdose or chronic use may cause nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, anemia, hair loss or liver damage. The use of boron in infants has been associated with severe toxicity and death. Boron can be absorbed into the body through dermal use, inhalation or oral use. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Boron cannot be recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding because of a lack of information and reports of toxicity in infants. In animal studies, large amounts of boron prevented pregnancy, but this has not been reported in humans. Interactions with drugs, herbs and other supplements have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs Dietary boron can affect the breakdown of steroid hormones and several other nutrients, including calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, increasing their levels in the blood. If boron is used with antacids containing magnesium (Maalox, milk of magnesia), the beneficial effects that boron may have on calcium and estrogen may be reduced. Boron may increase estrogen levels if taken with drugs that contain estrogen (birth control pills, hormone replacement therapies). Alzheimer's drugsagents, analgesics, androgens, anti-inflammatories, antilipemics agents, antineoplastic agents, antiviral agents, arthritis agents, dopamine agonists, dopamine antagonists, drugs that damage the liver, osteoporosis agents, and drugs eliminated by the kidneys may interact with boron. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Dietary boron can affect the breakdown of steroid hormones and several other nutrients, including calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, increasing their levels in the blood. The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care professional before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. Boron is usually well tolerated in adults at doses less than 10 milligrams per day, but high doses can cause poisoning. Safety of use beyond 12 months has not been studied. There are no standard or well-studied doses of boron, and many different doses are used traditionally. Boron can be absorbed into the body through dermal use, inhalation or oral use. Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Tablets: A dose studied for osteoarthritis is three to six milligrams of elemental boron taken by mouth daily for eight weeks. When used to prevent osteoporosis, a dose of three milligrams of boron daily has been used for people who eat a diet low in fruits and vegetables. For menopausal symptoms, a dose of 2.5 to three milligrams of elemental boron daily has been used. And for improving brain function, a dose of three milligrams of elemental boron daily has been suggested. Suppository/topical: For treating vaginal infections, one study used capsules containing 600 milligrams of boric acid inserted into the vagina, although safety has not been clearly established. A common dose for boron creams in the treatment of psoriasis is a mixture of 1.5 percent boric acid and 3 percent zinc oxide applied to the affected area. Children (Younger Than 18) Deaths have occurred when boron was taken by mouth or applied as a topical cream in infants. Boron should not be used in children. Boron has been suggested as a treatment for many conditions. There is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of boron for any medical condition. Boron may irritate the skin, eyes, mouth and throat. It should be avoided in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children. Certain nutrient levels and hormones may be affected by boron. Boron may cause poisoning if large doses are taken. Boron can be absorbed into the body through dermal use, inhalation or oral use. Safety of use beyond 12 months has not been studied. Consult a health care professional immediately if you have any side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
Selected Scientific Studies: Boron Natural Standard has reviewed all of the currently available medical literature to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below:
Last updated September 04, 2008 ©©1996-2000 InteliHealth Inc. All rights reserved. Source: Inteli-Health Inc. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Use of this online service is subject to InteliHealth's disclaimer and the terms and conditions .
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