Liquid gold is out of fashion, so it is time to learn more about liquid silver.
To be more precise, we will talk about colloidal silver. This substance is made through electrolysis, a process that suspends tiny particles of pure elemental silver in distilled water. People have used colloidal silver in folk practice for centuries.
Modern medicine does not recognize colloidal silver as a treatment. Health authorities such as the FDA state that it has not been shown to be safe or effective for any condition when taken by mouth. At the same time, silver is used in some medical wound dressings, and researchers continue to study silver nanoparticles in the laboratory.
In this article, we present 15 traditional and household uses of colloidal silver, together with what the research has and has not shown. Products vary a lot in quality and concentration, so read labels carefully and talk to your doctor before using any of them.
1. A Long History of Antimicrobial Use
Colloidal silver is best known for the antimicrobial properties of silver itself.
Many people may find this interesting and new, but the truth is that people in Ancient Greece and Rome used silver vessels to prolong the shelf life of their beverages and foods.
In laboratory tests, silver has shown activity against a range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Some laboratory research has looked at silver nanoparticles and Candida yeast, and a study in Taiwan examined their effect on two bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MRSA.
Other researchers have tested silver in combination with regular antibiotics against Staphylococcus bacteria.
The often-repeated statement from the 1980s that silver acts on more than 600 kinds of pathogens comes from laboratory dish experiments. Results in a dish do not show that a product works the same way inside the human body, and an infection always needs to be assessed by a doctor.
2. Skin Inflammation
Some people apply colloidal silver externally on irritated or swollen skin.
One animal study reported by researchers looked at pigs with skin inflammation. The animals that received a silver preparation showed less inflammation after about three days than the animals that received nothing. Animal results do not always apply to people.
Of course, don’t forget that your diet and lifestyle can also influence inflammation.
3. Eye Irritation
Colloidal silver has traditionally been used in folk practice for sties and pink eye, either as drops, a spray, or an eyewash.
The eyes are very sensitive, and eye infections can become serious. Do not put any homemade or non-sterile product in your eyes. See a doctor or an eye specialist if you have redness, pain, or discharge.
4. Ear Discomfort
There are many things that lead to ear infections, and in many cases different kinds of bacteria or fungi are the direct cause of this unpleasant situation.
Some people report using colloidal silver drops for swimmer’s ear. There is no good clinical evidence for this use, and ear pain, especially in children, should be checked by a doctor, who can decide whether prescription treatment is needed.
5. Cuts, Burns, and Scratches
This is the use with the most support. Silver is an ingredient in some medical creams and wound dressings that doctors use for burns and wounds.
In addition, a paper published in Pharmacognosy Communications discussed the external use of silver in burn care.
For small scrapes and cuts at home, clean the area well with water first. Serious burns and deep wounds need medical care.
6. Skin Problems
Unfortunately, our skin can be affected by many different issues, including pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, psoriasis, and inflamed skin. These problems are unpleasant and can affect our appearance.
Some people dab a small amount of colloidal silver on the affected area before bedtime and say they notice a difference after a few days. Results vary, and a dermatologist is the right person to advise you on persistent skin conditions.
7. Sinus Congestion
Sinusitis is described as a constant feeling of pressure or pain in the face together with a blocked nasal passage. This condition has a direct impact on the quality of life.
Doctors may recommend antibiotics, steroid sprays, or pain relievers, depending on the cause.
Colloidal silver nasal sprays are sold for this purpose. A small study published in the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology tested a silver nasal rinse in people with chronic sinusitis and did not find a clear benefit over saline, so the evidence remains limited.
A plain saline rinse is a simple option many people use for a stuffy nose.
8. Colds and Flu
Because silver has antimicrobial properties in the laboratory, some people use colloidal silver during cold and flu season.
The Italian drug agency has advised against the use of decongestant medicines in children under the age of 12.
This inspired a small study that compared a nasal mixture of beta-glucan and colloidal silver with a saline solution in children with nasal congestion.
Both groups improved, and the researchers reported a higher recovery rate in the silver group. This was a single small study. Never give colloidal silver to a child without asking your pediatrician first.
9. Chest Infections
Some popular wellness authors mention colloidal silver, taken by mouth or inhaled through a nebulizer, for bronchitis and pneumonia.
We do not recommend this. Pneumonia is a serious illness that needs medical diagnosis and treatment, and inhaling or swallowing silver products has not been shown to be safe or effective. Follow the treatment your doctor prescribes.
10. Sore Throat
Another traditional use is gargling. People who do this use one or two tablespoons of colloidal silver, gargle for up to two minutes, and then spit it out rather than swallow it.
Colloidal silver is also sold as a throat spray. A sore throat that is severe or lasts more than a few days should be checked by a doctor.
11. Pets
We should also mention that some pet owners use colloidal silver on their animals.
For instance, it is sometimes dabbed on minor wounds and cuts with a cotton swab a few times per day, and some owners use it around the ears or for tear stains in dogs and cats.
Animals react differently to substances than people do, so ask your veterinarian before using it on a pet, and never use it in place of veterinary care for an infection.
12. In the Garden
Another interesting thing about colloidal silver is that its use is not limited to people and pets. For example, it has been studied against fungal problems in plants.
A study published in the journal Mycobiology found that silver nanoparticles applied to green onion roots reduced a specific fungal infection that can ruin the plant.
Gardeners who try this add some colloidal silver to the plant’s base, or mix it with distilled water in a regular spray bottle and spray the problematic roots and leaves.
13. A Wash for Fruit and Vegetables
We all know that buying or growing organic fruit and veggies is a good option, but there are cases when we can’t follow this recommendation.
Some people prepare a produce wash based on colloidal silver.
To prepare it, pour one cup of regular water into ½ cup of vinegar and add two teaspoons of table salt. Wait until it is dissolved. In the end, pour in ¼ cup of colloidal silver. Put your fresh fruit and veggies in the mixture and let them soak for about five minutes.
Finally, rinse them well under running water.
14. Preserve the Freshness of Flowers
Fill your house with attractive blooms and enjoy them longer by pouring a small amount of colloidal silver into the vases. It sounds odd, but there is a scientific study behind this idea.
Experts from the Department of Horticulture at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad found that small particles of silver can slow the bacterial activity that blocks the transport of moisture and nutrients to the head of the flower.
When they mixed colloidal silver with water (at 35 ppm), the flowers kept their petals about twice as long as the flowers that were not given colloidal silver.
15. Pet Odor
Pet odor is definitely something that can ruin your comfort. Who wants to enter a home that smells like pet urine?
If you own a cat that sprays around your home, or a dog that marks its territory indoors, some people suggest sprinkling the problematic areas with a colloidal silver solution.
They say it helps reduce the odor in that area.
To freshen pet beds and sofas, they mix filtered water and colloidal silver in a spray bottle and mist the area.
Safety Note
Note: Colloidal silver should not be used for long periods. Silver can build up in the body and cause argyria, a permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin. It may also interfere with the absorption of some medicines, including certain antibiotics and thyroid medication, and it may affect beneficial bacteria. Do not use it in place of any treatment your doctor has prescribed, and avoid it during pregnancy and in children unless a doctor advises otherwise.
Via Scielo | Human Health
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.