Colloidal silver is used in our household on a daily basis for many different applications. For topical applications, we use it to relieve the itch that midge and mosquito bites leave on the skin, for skin rashes, as a spray for fresh breath and preventing underarm odour, for acne, eczema, as a disinfectant for wounds, and also for cleansing and cleaning the skin. It’s also used as a mouthwash when toothaches are present to aid in killing bacteria, leaving the mouth fresh and with reduced pain. It is great for any type of skin issue. It is also an excellent disinfectant for any type of wound or scrape. We spray it in our hair to help with scalp health and to possibly reverse and prevent grey hair. We also give it to our dogs, in their food and also sprayed on their coats to keep them healthy and kill any bacteria or parasites.
Although there is controversy surrounding ingestion of silver colloid, we use it effectively to keep away viruses, the cold and flu and to kill any parasites that could be in the food we eat. Since taking it on a daily basis, the kids and I have barely had issues with colds and flu, or stomach upsets especially since I was prone to one every few months or so. It is also beneficial in keeping water fresh. I have found it has a slight metallic taste, but you can’t really taste it when a small amount is added to water. *
We make our own silver which is true colloidal silver (not ionic). This is great because we can ensure it is correctly produced, and we also have a continuous supply on hand. It takes 37 hours to make about 1 ½ litres, using only distilled water. Nano-particle silver is said to be the original and best type of colloid you can make, the ‘true colloidal silver’, and even though it does take quite a while to make, I think it’s definitely worth it.
Don’t know much about silver colloid? Start here to learn a little more about it…
What is silver colloid?
Silver colloid is water that contains nano-sized silver particles. The total silver content is divided into two forms of silver: ionic silver and silver particles. Ions and particles are separate components within a colloid. These particles are negatively charged and stay dispersed within suspension via mutual repulsion. The charge is named zeta potential.
There are primarily three types of colloidal silver available on the market today.
The first being ionic silver, which is the most commonly sold and cheapest to produce. Most of the content is silver ions (90%), whereas 10% of the solution is actual silver particles. This type of silver may be easy to produce but is not touted as a true colloidal product, and therefore is stated to not be as effective.
The next silver available is called silver protein, which contains large particles of silver. It is produced by adding water to silver protein powder, then gelatine is added to keep the large silver particles suspended, otherwise they would naturally fall to the bottom.1 So not a good option for vegans or vegetarians. Apparently, this may not be a very successful silver product, predominately because of the large particle size and additives used.
The last type of colloid is called true colloidal silver because silver particles form the majority of the product, from 50-80% and the balance would consist of silver ions. This true colloid is not commonly sold, and the ones that are would be pricey and take time to make a small amount. At spiritbeing.life, we only use true colloidal silver for our family and in our products. I believe to make the best products and to attain the best of health, only the best ingredients should be used. 15
Colloidal silver history
Colloidal silver has been used extensively throughout history for thousands of years, as far back as ancient Greece and Rome.
Silver benefits were reaped by using silver cutlery, silver vessels and silver coins. Silver coins were dropped into milk to keep it fresh. The rich used silver dishware, cutlery and drinking vessels to eat their food from to keep bacteria away. In the Middle ages, the wealthy used silver as part of their eating and dining experience to protect them from catching the plague. Silver was also used to prevent wine spoilage and to keep water fresh and free from unwanted bacteria that could lead to illness. Actually, it is said that settlers from the Australian outback suspended silverware into their water tanks for the same reasons. Pioneering trekkers travelling across the American West dropped a silver coin into their water bottles to keep it fresh and bacteria free.
In the 1800s doctors used silver in sutures to heal and treat surgical wounds. Also, silver leaf was used to heal wounds and combat infection in World War 1 troops.
Colloidal silver was popular by the 1900s, with many products being sold on the market for many infectious diseases; for oral, iv and topical use. Colloidal silver has also been used extensively in hospitals especially before 1940, when the use of antibiotics came in. 2
Silver is still used today: filters used to purify water from fountains in aeroplanes for germ free water. It is also used by the Soviets to sterilize recycled water and to replace chlorine in pools with no side effects or risks to health. 3
Colloidal silver benefits
Colloidal silver is known to be a germicide, is anti-bacterial, used as an anti-biotic and for healing benefits also. There are doctors and other science related institutions that support the use of colloid for various applications. 4
Here is a list of what is said about the benefits of colloidal silver: 6,7
- Can kill over 650 bacteria, parasites, moulds and fungi that could lead to illness (Larry C. Ford, the M.D). It works by ‘suffocating’ them. It is stated to be far more effective than antibiotics, which are only effective against 6-7 different types of bacteria. 5
- Effective for water purification, apparently only 2 tbsp of silver with a higher potency (30ppm or more) is needed to purify 1 gallon (3.8 litres) of water and kill viruses such as Legionnaire’s that can be found in water (UCLA studies).
- Heals skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, ringworm, burns and open infected wounds (Robert O. Becker, M.D).
- Kills viruses and boosts the immune, kills the common cold and the flu, HIV, AIDS,herpes, shingles and warts, hepatitis C (Dr. Martin Hum).
- Respiratory related illnesses, fights against bronchitis and pneumonia, allergies and asthma. These ailments may be caused by pathogens. Studies have indicated that colloidal silver works to destroy them by inhalation (Dr. Axe).
- Infections, said to be effective against sinus and ear infections as well as pink eye (inflammation of the surface and lining of the eye) (Dr. Axe).
Colloidal silver controversy
There is controversy surrounding colloidal silver, many stating that high amounts of colloidal, in particular when ingested, could cause serious side effects, the main culprit being argyria. Other sources, which include respected doctors, are stating that colloidal is non-toxic and without side effects, even when taken in high doses. Here is information that forms counterarguments to these controversies.
Can it really make someone turn blue by accumulating too much silver?
The proposed issue of argyria (turning blue) came out in the 1900s when apparently, the wrong type of colloid was supplied. The supply was protein-based silver which was improperly prepared and unstable. On the other hand, also during this era, it was also proposed that a properly prepared colloid (not protein based) was completely suitable with no adverse side effects. 8
We have never had issues regarding argyria, and we have been using colloidal silver (on and off) for years now. Dr Axe states that argyria could be a possibility if using ionic silver. He also states that there is very limited research which proves that side effects of using colloidal silver even exist. 9 We used to make and use ionic silver before we started making ‘true’ colloidal and even then we didn’t have issues with argyria.
It is stated in this article that the body will naturally eliminate any excess silver.
The body does not store excess elemental silver, but rather eliminates it, as with other heavy metals, via the metallothioneins. These ubiquitous proteins bind heavy metals into metal-thiolate-cluster complexes and remove them from the body. 10
Apparently, even if argyria is present, there are usually no other side effects that develop. Argyria will resolve if the offending substance is halted. This is not life-threatening, but is considered by most to be cosmetically undesirable. 11
Colloidal silver for skincare
Dr. Robert Becker (was a U.S. orthopedic surgeon and researcher in electrophysiology/electromedicine) 12, espoused the benefits of colloidal silver. He stated that colloidal triggers an “amazing and unexpected regrowth of tissues” when applied to an infected area on the skin. 13 He states that the silver was doing something more than killing disease-causing organisms, it was apparently also causing major growth stimulation of injured tissues. 14 He proposed there were no undesirable side effects, apparently not harming any surrounding tissue. Therefore, colloidal is said to be an excellent solution for anti-scarring, also anti-ageing, for sensitive skin and restoring the skin to a healthy state. 15
My own tests
I thought it would be a good idea to see if I could show the properties of colloidal silver when it came to food preservation. So, I decided to test a few foods; grapes, milk, cheese and apple. I wanted to hopefully show how colloidal works to keep food fresher for longer. We live in a tropical environment, so our climate has high temperatures and high humidity, especially during the summer. These tests we started in autumn. Here are the images I took from the first day of testing, to the longest period of 11 days later. The results were interesting, this is what I found…
Test 1 – the apple tests
I sliced the same apple and placed the pieces in a bowl of water. In this test the apples were exposed to air on the surface, but I made sure the surface was also covered with whichever water they were being tested with.
Test 1 – the first day (above)
Test 1 – the next day (above)
The next day showed signs of oxidisation.
Test 1 – 2 days later (above)
2 days later and now we see mould growing on the apple floating in filtered rainwater.
Test 1 – 3 days later (above)
3 days later and even more mould is starting to grow as you can see.
Test 1 – 4 days later (above)
4 days later and the mould is very obvious in comparison to the apple in colloidal silver. When I went to throw them out, I noticed the smell from the slice of apple in rainwater indicated that it was more rotted and fermented than the apple in the colloid water.
Test 2 – the milk tests
As I had the apple exposed to air, I thought it may be a good idea to conduct all further tests in an enclosed jar, so perhaps oxidisation wouldn’t happen so fast. In this test I tried ½ jar of full fat cow’s milk mixed with rainwater to fill, and one mixed with ½ cow’s milk and filled with colloidal water.
Test 2 – the first day (above)
Test 2 – 4 days later (above)
Changes aren’t so obvious yet, 2 days later started to show separation of the milk and water, especially in the rainwater test jar. By day 4, both jars were showing signs of milk solids separating to float on top, and the water component on the bottom, the rainwater jar being more obvious.
Test 2 – 6 days later (above)
Test 2 – 6 days later shows obvious separation in the rainwater jar (above)
6 days later and both separated but the rainwater test showed the most obvious separation.
Test 2 – 7 days later (above)
Test 2 – 7 days later (above) side by side comparison
7 days later and both were separated, rainwater slightly more. What is interesting about the colloidal example is the light brown film which had developed on top. The rainwater test smelled off, the colloid had a slightly different stale smell.
Test 3 – the grape tests
The grape tests were the longest tests I did, spanning 11 days. Immersing the grapes in a jar filled with colloidal silver and another with rainwater. In the beginning, the grapes sank to the bottom.
Test 3 – the first day (above)
Test 3 – 4 days later (above)
4 days later and the grapes have risen to the top of the jar. The rainwater jar is cloudy, yet the colloidal water stayed clear. The grapes floating on top of the colloidal test had developed brown patches, whereas the rainwater grapes lightened in colour, with only slight patches of light brown and a coating of white film.
Test 3 – 6 days later (above)
There is an obvious difference in water clarity here and the rainwater test has continued fermenting.
Test 3 – 11 days later (above)
11 days later and the colloidal jar is now a little cloudy, the grapes in the rainwater jar have turned brown, whereas some green still remains on the grapes in colloidal.
This is what the grapes looked like when I took them out of their jars 11 days later. The left grape in the picture is from the colloidal jar test and the grape on the right is from the rainwater jar test. The grape in colloid looked more successfully preserved and smelled significantly fresher than the grape in rainwater.
Test 4 – the cheese tests
Here I tested two slices of tasty cheese suspended in both colloidal silver water and filtered rainwater.
Test 4 – the first day (above)
Test 4 – 5 days later (above)
5 days later and both jars are cloudy, but the rainwater jar has an obvious film which has settled on top of the water. The colloid jar has droplets of oils which have risen to the top of the water.
Test 4 – 6 days later (above)
6 days later and both cheese jars have been drained. It’s interesting to observe the droplets of oil which have formed on the colloid test (cheese on the right). The cheese suspended in rainwater did have a stronger off smell in comparison to the cheese immersed in colloidal.
So, there are the food tests, now I’ve got to do some before and after tests with colloidal for topical applications and see how we go!
Colloidal silver is stated by many doctors to be a powerful disease, virus and bacteria killing agent. It has many topical uses and applications. At SBL, true colloidal silver is used daily for many applications and we find it to be very effective for different uses. It has become our main ingredient added to soaps and liquid soaps used in our household.
* Disclaimer: We are not doctors, nor do we give medical advice or make any claims. We do not condone the use of silver colloid internally. What works for us may not work for everyone. If you have any doubts please seek the advice of a trusted practitioner before use.
Source
1. https://www.stemjar.com/colloidal-silver-benefits/
2. http://www.silver-colloids.com/Pubs/history-silver.html,
3. http://www.themedicshack.net/colloidal-silver/
4. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/9-silver-benefits-and-uses-backed-by-science_b_5797d100e4b0b3e2427d2c65
5. http://www.themedicshack.net/colloidal-silver/
6,7. https://beforeitsnews.com/v3/health/2012/2444096.html, https://draxe.com/colloidal-silver-benefits/http://
8. www.silver-colloids.com/Pubs/history-silver.html
9. https://draxe.com/colloidal-silver-benefits/
10. http://www.themedicshack.net/colloidal-silver/
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyria
12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_O._Becker
13,15. https://amazingy.com/magazine/benefits-of-colloidal-silver-on-the-skin/
14. http://www.themedicshack.net/colloidal-silver/
15. http://www.silver-colloids.com/, https://draxe.com/colloidal-silver-benefits/
