Madurai, Tamil Nadu | January 2026: A 19-year-old college student from Madurai died after consuming a substance called venkaaram (or vengaram) based on a YouTube video that claimed it could help with weight loss. The incident has raised concerns about the dangers of following unverified health advice shared on social media platforms.
Her family reported that Kalayarasi had been worried about her body weight and searched for remedies online. The family and media reports stated that she watched a YouTube video recommending venkaaram for weight loss before consuming it.
According to The New Indian Express, police said Kalaiyarasi of Meenambalpuram had reportedly followed a YouTube channel promoting the use of Vengaram (Borax) for weight loss. Acting on the video, she purchased the product from a local traditional medicine shop on East Masi Street on January 16 and consumed the substance at home around 9 a.m. on January 17. Soon after intake, she developed severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Her parents initially took her to a private hospital in Munichalai, where she received treatment and returned home. However, her symptoms recurred in the evening, and she was treated at a nearby clinic.
As her condition worsened around 11 p.m., the family rushed her to Government Rajaji Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Following this, her father, Velmurugan (51), lodged a complaint at Sellur (Law & Order) police station on January 18. Based on the complaint, police registered a case and have begun an inquiry into the suspicious death.
Venkaaram (Sohaga in Hindi) is a white crystalline compound that resembles borax, also known as sodium tetraborate. Borax is a chemical salt and not a food substance. It is commonly used for industrial and household purposes such as cleaning agents, laundry detergents, antiseptics, glass manufacturing, and pest control. It is not approved for human consumption.
Borax is found in some consumer products at low regulated concentrations, such as cosmetics and detergents. These uses are strictly controlled and are not meant for ingestion. Medical sources state that borax is toxic when swallowed.
Traditional medicine systems such as Siddha mention certain mineral substances, including venkaaram, in classical texts. In Siddha medicine, borax has been historically referenced for specific therapeutic applications such as digestive conditions. However, these references do not imply that the industrial or commercially sold form of borax is safe for consumption.
Modern medical guidelines and toxicology research clearly state that borax is not safe to ingest. It is not approved for internal use by health authorities. Medical experts warn that consuming borax in any form without medical supervision can be harmful.
Borax is toxic when ingested. According to toxicology resources, swallowing borax can cause gastrointestinal distress including nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure, shock, and death.
The US Food and Drug Administration does not approve borax for internal use. Health experts warn that even small amounts can be harmful, especially when consumed without medical supervision.
In India, regulatory authorities such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) similarly do not list borax or sodium tetraborate as an approved food additive or medicinal ingestible substance.
Reacting to the incident, Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Hepatology), popularly known as The Liver Doc, shared a detailed statement on X (formerly Twitter).
He wrote, “Reminder that Siddha system of medicine is pseudoscientific, dangerous and extremely harmful. Siddha practitioners are not doctors, they are government legalized quacks.”
Dr. Philips further stated that Siddha ‘medicines’ are among the highest, even more than Ayurveda, to use heavy metals and metal-minerals as treatments.
Referring directly to this case, he said, “A young woman died after consuming Borax for weight loss which was promoted by Siddha practitioners for obesity on YouTube channels.”
He also highlighted the wider issue of online medical misinformation, stating, “There are many such alternative medicine channels promoting dangerous healthcare opinions and nobody seems to care.”
Criticising the public health response, Dr. Philips wrote that public health is largely ignored when it comes to social media-related medicine and health content.
Calling alternative medicine a ‘malignancy’, he added, “The only vaccine against this is to develop and teach strong scientific temperament and critical thinking skills.”
Dr. Philips also urged legal action, stating that the parents of the deceased should sue the YouTube channel and its promoters so that such dangerous claims do not lead to further loss of life.
Healthcare professionals recommend consulting qualified doctors before starting any weight loss regimen or consuming substances that are not prescribed or approved for human use.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, while medical experts urge the public to rely on evidence-based health information and avoid self-medication.
“Is Borax Safe? Uses and Risks,” Medical News Today, accessed January 12, 2026, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324167.
“Borax (Sodium Tetraborate): Uses and Health Risks,” WebMD, accessed January 12, 2026, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/borax-sodium-tetraborate.
“Despite Social Media Claims, Borax Is Not Safe to Consume,” Michigan Medicine, accessed January 12, 2026, https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/despite-social-media-claims-borax-not-safe-consume.
“Venkaram (Borax) in Siddha Medicine,” Wisdom Library, accessed January 12, 2026, https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/venkaram-borax.
(Rh/MSM)