Are borax crystals edible

Answer 1

Generally "edible" means "fit to be eaten" i.e. it could be considered food.

Based on that - NO - borax crystals are not edible. Why? Because it's known for its household cleaning properties and is used frequently as a laundry additive. If you want something edible to eat, try rock candy (also known as rock sugar crystals or rock sugar because they are made from sugar).

While borax is not considered "acutely toxic", i.e. it's not going to kill you right away if you eat some of it, it's not going to be pleasant if you get very much of it. Eating it may cause nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Effects on the vascular system and brain include headaches and lethargy, but are less frequent. In severe poisonings, a beefy red skin rash affecting palms, soles, buttocks and scrotum has been described. With severe poisoning, red, exfoliative (skin flaking off - like dandruff) rashes, unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and renal (kidney) failure may occur. A significant dose of borax is needed to cause severe symptoms or death. The estimate is that, on average, it would take around 133 grams (around 77 cubic centimeters or about 1/3 cup) to kill a 50 kg (110 lb) person. You aren't going to get that much choked down very easily - although you could maybe get that much into you with prolonged high level exposure.

Answer 2

NO