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colloidal-silver-safe-and-effective-when-not-to-use
  • Health

Is Colloidal Silver Safe and Effective? (& When Not to Use)

Katie WellsOct 2, 2020
Dr Scott Sorries Medical Advisor Wellness Mama
Medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD
Reading Time: 7 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Is Colloidal Silver Safe and Effective? (& When Not to Use)
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What Is Colloidal Silver?
  • How Does Colloidal Silver Work?
  • Benefits of Colloidal Silver+−
    • A Note About Bacteria, Viruses, and Yeasts
  • Is Colloidal Silver Safe?+−
    • Gut Changes
    • Skin Discoloration (argyria)
    • Antibiotics
    • Environmental Issues
    • Pregnancy
  • Cautions for Colloidal Silver
  • Colloidal Silver Products
  • How to Use Colloidal Silver

Natural supplements and holistic remedies that offer proven health benefits are big in my house. One that I always keep on hand is colloidal silver. This sometimes controversial supplement was used before antibiotics existed for bacterial infections and to support the immune system.

Colloidal silver products are still often used today and many holistic health experts say that it’s a highly beneficial cure-all. On the flip side, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of colloidal silver for any health purpose, and other health care experts like doctors from Mayo Clinic also do not believe that it is safe.

Despite this, with the rise of antibiotic resistance, silver is making a comeback as a powerful broad-spectrum antimicrobial. Many swear by colloidal silver for everything from pink eye to ear infections.

So is colloidal silver really a safe and useful natural remedy?

What Is Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver is made when silver nanoparticles are synthesized and suspended in a solution of simple sugars and ammonia. These particles are so small that they aren’t visible to the eye and can be as tiny as one ten-thousandth the width of a human hair. That’s extremely tiny!

Modern medicine still relies on silver for antibacterial benefits:

  • Many medical companies coat their devices with silver to avoid bacterial biofilms.
  • Hospitals treat newborns with silver nitrate drops to prevent gonorrhea eye infections.
  • Silver solutions or gauze are used to help treat burn wounds.

Colloidal silver is generally considered safe to use, but it is important to be informed about what studies say with respect to its safety and effectiveness, and whether excessive use may harm us or the environment.

The size of the colloidal silver particles is the most important thing that determines if they have health benefits or not, with smaller particles and lower concentrations being most effective against harmful antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

How Does Colloidal Silver Work?

Scientists have observed that silver kills germs, but they still don’t completely understand how. A lack of strong scientific evidence means the use of colloidal silver is still somewhat controversial.

The general idea is that silver nanoparticles bind to bacteria cell walls. A fraction of these nanoparticles may react to substances in the body or the environment and become silver salt, which is antimicrobial.

Although most colloidal silver is made from silver salts, they are different things. Silver salts are a lot more toxic to both humans and bacteria than colloidal silver. Silver salts have a positive charge that binds up proteins, cause DNA damage, and disrupt the respiratory processes in bacteria. Silver nanoparticles may be neutral or negatively charged, depending on how it is synthesized.

Silver ions are more likely to cause silver toxicity or argyria in humans than the colloidal version. However, because a fraction of colloidal silver may become silver salt, overconsumption of colloidal silver can still cause silver toxicity when taken at very high doses.

Since it is potent, it’s important to be careful when using this supplement.

Benefits of Colloidal Silver

Silver is a metal and a non-essential element in the body. It is much safer to a human body than other heavy metals like lead and mercury. We can accumulate much more silver in our bodies before it becomes toxic.

Research suggests that colloidal silver works for:

  • Killing and preventing bacterial growth, including bacteria that is antibiotic-resistant.
  • Treating burn infections as a topical antimicrobial
  • Killing some strains of pathogenic yeasts, including Candida and Cryptococcus
  • Preventing certain viruses, like HIV/AIDS and RSV, from entering human cells
  • Reducing inflammation from contact dermatitis and irritating rashes in animal studies
  • Disrupting bacterial biofilm (a slimy shield that allows bacteria to hide from antibiotics) in sinus infections in sheep
  • Being toxic to certain cancer cells
  • Effectively fighting bacteria that can cause deadly diarrhea (Vibrio cholera and a dangerous strain of E. coli).
  • Fighting fungal infections on the skin.

A Note About Bacteria, Viruses, and Yeasts

To date, all studies that test the effects of colloidal silver with bacteria found that it is effective. There are mixed reviews when it comes to yeasts and viruses.

A comprehensive study by naturopathic doctors in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that it is only effective against some strains of yeasts but not others. That same study found that colloidal silver is not effective against viruses.

Another in vitro study in the Journal of Wound Care tested 3 different market brands and found no effectiveness whatsoever.

Colloidal silver is a powerful antimicrobial. However, its effectiveness as an antiviral or antifungal can vary depending on the particular infection and quality of the product itself.

Is Colloidal Silver Safe?

Natural remedies are appealing, but safety is an important issue.

There have not been large studies done in humans to truly examine whether colloidal silver is safe or effective. Most tests are done in vitro, meaning that they’re done in test tubes or Petri dishes. This allows researchers to understand how it behaves in isolated situations. But the human body isn’t isolated, and having a whole-body understanding is different from in vitro studies.

A human body is a lot more complex than a Petri dish! Just because something kills germs in a Petri dish doesn’t mean we should take it to prevent or treat an infection. We still need to understand how silver affects the rest of the body, and whether it can travel to where we need it most if taken internally. More studies are needed to understand how it works in our bodies (in vivo).

With the evidence that we do have, though, we can make some conclusions:

Gut Changes

As with many supplements, colloidal silver can affect other parts of the body that go beyond the reason it’s being taken. Two animal studies independently looked at how the gut bacteria balance of mice and rats was affected by being fed colloidal silver. The results found a disruption in gut flora.

Another study that examined digestive tissue after the ingestion of colloidal silver found that it can damage gut cells. Yet a newer study in Nanotoxicology that looked at mice found no changes to gut bacteria or cell structure.

So, there are mixed reviews.

It’s also not known how effective colloidal silver is outside of the gut, elsewhere in the body. When colloidal silver is taken internally, the small intestine can absorb around 10 to 18% of silver nanoparticles into the bloodstream. The remaining silver nanoparticles pass through the gut.

In the blood, nanoparticles bind to a protein called albumin as it gets carried around the body. Silver proteins are a lot less effective against germs than silver alone, so we really don’t know how it behaves throughout the body.

Skin Discoloration (argyria)

It is possible to get too much silver build-up in the body. This condition is called argyria or argylosis, where silver accumulates in tissues and turns the person blue or gray… permanently! When this happens, the silver does not usually cause health problems in other ways, although it can be traumatic to have discolored skin.

Antibiotics

Colloidal silver might seem like a promising option over antibiotics, but it still has some of the side effects of antibiotics. For this reason, I’ve always exercised caution and not over-used it, as evidence shows it may be harmful if used regularly or over a long period of time.

Gut bacteria can also become resistant to colloidal silver, just like with antibiotics. This is especially true when it has been used for several generations.

Environmental Issues

Silver nanoparticles cause some environmental concerns. Currently, silver nanoparticles are present in the environment at concentrations that are about one thousand times the dose that would be toxic to fish and other marine animals.

Silver nanoparticles are also found in sewage sludge that is used in landfills. This presents a risk of it getting reabsorbed back into the food supply. While it is somewhat known how colloidal silver affects human gut bacteria, it is still not completely clear how it affects the health of bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms in the environment.

Since the health of our soil is closely linked to the health of the gut, we need to be careful about messing it up.

Pregnancy

Group B Strep (GBS) is a bacteria that is commonly found in humans, but during pregnancy it can represent the risk of infection for the baby during the birthing process. Antibiotics are given to prevent complications. Mothers wanting to avoid antibiotics might wonder if colloidal silver is a safe alternative.

Colloidal silver has not been studied specifically for GBS or generally for pregnancy. Because it can be toxic—and because supplements in pregnancy can have unknown effects on the developing baby—it’s important not to use supplements to self-medicate during pregnancy, either internally or topically.

Cautions for Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is a natural remedy that has been used for thousands of years. Does that mean it should still be used today? There is reason to be careful about using it.

  • Colloidal silver is marketed as a dietary supplement and is relatively unregulated. Only the manufacturer is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of their products. A random test of colloidal silver products for sale found several that were ineffective or even contaminated with bacteria. Yuck!
  • While colloidal silver might be safe and effective when used externally, or when targeting pathogens in the gut, it can also have unintended consequences. Because colloidal silver does have some side effects, research suggests using it carefully rather than liberally.
  • Colloidal silver can mess with or enhance the effects or side effects of some medications. Always check with your doctor before starting it or using it alongside anything else.

As discussed above, the safest use based on studies is external application to wounds and as a sinus rinse.

Colloidal Silver Products

If you choose to buy colloidal silver, it’s important to make sure you’re getting a pure product. Colloidal silver ingredients should only include silver and water. There should not be anything else in it.

When choosing your product, you also want to keep the particle size in mind. This refers to how big (or small) the nanoparticles of silver are. The concentration of particles per unit of water is listed in parts per million, or PPM. Basically, how many silver particles are collected per serving of water.

When you’re looking at buying colloidal silver, higher PPM is not better. Supplements are considered to be safest when they are between 10 and 20 PPM. Taking in too much colloidal silver can result in becoming toxic or having other complications, like the graying of skin.

If you choose to use colloidal silver, be sure to buy from a reputable brand. There are many available, but this is the brand I keep on hand for external use and as a sinus rinse.

How to Use Colloidal Silver

While we’ve covered some concerns, there are lots of ways to use colloidal silver safely as a part of your natural medicine cabinet.

Check out the ways that you can use colloidal silver:

  • Nasal rinse: Add a few drops to distilled water (don’t combine with salt!) and use your neti pot as usual to rinse the sinus cavity.
  • Ear infections: Use 2-3 drops in the ear, a few times a day, until symptoms subside.
  • Pink eye: Add 2-3 drops directly to the infected eye, 3-4 times daily or until symptoms go away.
  • Skin fungus or ringworm: Treat patchy skin infections with a few drops applied directly 2-3 times per day. Let dry on the skin to get the full effect.
  • Toenail infections: Add 2-3 drops to the top of the infected toenail. Use 3-4 times a day until symptoms clear up.
  • First aid disinfectant: Use as you would other antibacterial creams for minor cuts, scrapes, or bug bites.
  • Acne: Add 1-2 drops to acne breakouts 3-4 times a day.
  • Gingivitis: Add 1 teaspoon to purified water and swish in the mouth, 2-3 times per day.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

What’s your experience with colloidal silver? Please share in the comments below.

colloidal-silver-infographic
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  11. Bhol, K. C., & Schechter, P. J. (2005). Topical nanocrystalline silver cream suppresses inflammatory cytokines and induces apoptosis of inflammatory cells in a murine model of allergic contact dermatitis. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06575.x
  12. Nadworny, P. L., Wang, J., Tredget, E. E., & Burrell, R. E. (2008). Anti-inflammatory activity of nanocrystalline silver in a porcine contact dermatitis model. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1549963408000452
  13. Rajiv, S., Drilling, A., Bassiouni, A., James, C., Vreugde, S., & Wormald, P. J. (2015). Topical colloidal silver as an anti-biofilm agent in a Staphylococcus aureus chronic rhinosinusitis sheep model. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/alr.21459
  14. Juarez-Moreno, K., Gonzalez, E. B., Girón-Vazquez, N., Chávez-Santoscoy, R. A., Mota-Morales, J. D., Perez-Mozqueda, L. L., Garcia-Garcia, M. R., Pestryakov, A., & Bogdanchikova, N. (2017). Comparison of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects of silver nanoparticles on human cervix and breast cancer cell lines. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0960327116675206
  15. Salem, W., Leitner, D. R., Zingl, F. G., Schratter, G., Prassl, R., Goessler, W., Reidl, J., & Schild, S. (2015). Antibacterial activity of silver and zinc nanoparticles against Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxic Escherichia coli. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438422114001532
  16. Ayatollahi Mousavi, S. A., Salari, S., & Hadizadeh, S. (2015). Evaluation of Antifungal Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Against Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum. http://www.ijbiotech.com/article_11913.html
  17. van Hasselt, P., Gashe, B. A., & Ahmad, J. (2004). Colloidal silver as an antimicrobial agent: fact or fiction?. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/jowc.2004.13.4.26606
  18. Williams, K., Milner, J., Boudreau, M. D., Gokulan, K., Cerniglia, C. E., & Khare, S. (2015). Effects of subchronic exposure of silver nanoparticles on intestinal microbiota and gut-associated immune responses in the ileum of Sprague-Dawley rats. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17435390.2014.921346
  19. van den Brule, S., Ambroise, J., Lecloux, H., Levard, C., Soulas, R., De Temmerman, P. J., Palmai-Pallag, M., Marbaix, E., & Lison, D. (2016). Dietary silver nanoparticles can disturb the gut microbiota in mice. https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-016-0149-1
  20. Fröhlich, E. E., & Fröhlich, E. (2016). Cytotoxicity of Nanoparticles Contained in Food on Intestinal Cells and the Gut Microbiota. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/4/509
  21. Wilding, L. A., Bassis, C. M., Walacavage, K., Hashway, S., Leroueil, P. R., Morishita, M., Maynard, A. D., Philbert, M. A., & Bergin, I. L. (2016). Repeated dose (28-day) administration of silver nanoparticles of varied size and coating does not significantly alter the indigenous murine gut microbiome. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17435390.2015.1078854
  22. Graves, J. L., Jr, Tajkarimi, M., Cunningham, Q., Campbell, A., Nonga, H., Harrison, S. H., & Barrick, J. E. (2015). Rapid evolution of silver nanoparticle resistance in Escherichia coli. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2015.00042/full
  23. Holler, J.S., Nordberg, G.F., and Fowler, B.A. (2007). Silver. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012369413350094X
  24. McGillicuddy, E., Murray, I., Kavanagh, S., Morrison, L., Fogarty, A., Cormican, M., Dockery, P., Prendergast, M., Rowan, N., & Morris, D. (2017). Silver nanoparticles in the environment: Sources, detection and ecotoxicology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969716322070
Category: HealthReviewer: Dr. Scott Soerries, MD

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (220 Comments)

  1. Becky

    December 4, 2016 at 8:42 AM

    I have friends who have used it as a toner during their facial care routine. One was a model and nothing else cleared the acne like colloidal silver for her. Others use it on sunburns. My family has used it as a preventative for colds etc. at the first sign of illness with success.

    Reply
  2. Joy

    December 4, 2016 at 2:25 AM

    I have had great success using colloidal silver on myself, my husband, and my kids. My son had a killer ear infection which caused him quite a bit of pain ( he was 2) and went through three different antibiotics : ( I finally switched pediatricians ( for several reasons) and our new doc (a holistic pediatrician) recommended colloidal silver. It was the first time I had heard of it but it worked great and now we have used it for ear infections, pink eye, and the occasional scraped knee. I even used a bit on our 3 month old, with the doc’s ok. It’s really incredible.

    Reply
    • Tanya S

      December 8, 2016 at 2:03 PM

      How did you adminster? 1 drop for pink eye? 1 for eat infect? Does age play a factor? I know there are a lot of FDA reg and ppl have to watch their input on such products but just from convo sharing, can you share? I’ve contemplated buying this and haven’t found a recommendaton for “dosage/age”.

      Reply
  3. Keith

    December 1, 2016 at 8:00 PM

    I have used the 10 ppm in a water pick a number of times, it works great. It makes it so you can kill the perio bugs up under the gums that brushing does not and cannot get to. I also found it very useful to team it up with the silver toothpaste gel sold under the Activz label. It is made with Xylitol, Young living Peppermint oil and 20 ppm of silver. All three are natural gum disease fighters, The weird part is when I wake up in the morning my mouth still feels clean.

    Reply
    • Juliana Wissa

      December 2, 2016 at 6:26 PM

      Thanks so much for the input ! Greatly appreciated ?

      Reply
  4. Juliana Wissa

    December 1, 2016 at 6:58 PM

    Any thoughts on using colloidal silver in a water pick. I understand it is effective to use on gums. I have been hesitant but wonder if I should use it. I have had gum pockets for years. I eat clean and am obsessed with oral hygiene, literally, I spend at least 30 mins daily on my oral hygiene. Regardless, my pockets stay at a level that I am not happy with. I make my own toothpaste and use essential oils. I have been contemplating adding this. Any experience with this? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Marti

      December 4, 2016 at 2:46 PM

      I use CS as a mouth wash after oil pulling and brushing.

      Reply
    • Tony

      December 5, 2016 at 8:19 AM

      Before bed take a small dose of silver and swish around in your mouth for 30 seconds then swallow. do not eat or drink anything until morning. This kills harmful bacteria and improves gum health. I have seen pretty good results in the lessening of pockets and gum inflammation.

      Reply
    • Dana

      December 5, 2016 at 8:37 AM

      Try ozonated oil to brush teeth and gums

      Reply
    • Sharon

      June 16, 2017 at 6:54 PM

      You can get toothbrushes with silver in them from Norwex, and maybe other companies too. I went from one of my worst checkups to one of my best, and the only change was that I’d been using the silver toothbrush for about 2 months.

      Reply
    • Susan

      January 21, 2020 at 11:37 AM

      I have recently used the mesosilver on myself and 2 other family members and it worked great. We had all started to get sore throats and colds. 3-4 doses in a glass of water for gargling and then swallowing stopped the colds in their tracks.

      Reply
  5. Lina

    December 1, 2016 at 12:10 AM

    I didn’t realize there was any harm in taking it internally (as needed). I’ve been taking it whenever I feel sickness coming on, and giving it to my toddler as well (in a smaller dosage). Now this makes me nervous. Is it safe to take during pregnancy?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      December 5, 2016 at 12:29 PM

      Many people do take it internally and have good anecdotal results. I wasn’t able to find research to support this and found some concerns with it affecting gut flora if taken regularly, which is why I exercise caution. I’d definitely ask a doctor or midwife to be sure before taking.

      Reply
      • Cynthia

        December 28, 2016 at 1:08 AM

        Wellness Mama; I LOVE your site. Thank you for all you share with everyone on here; there’s a wealth of great and helpful information.
        I just wanted to share something. I was talking to a family member about silver; and she told me she was listening to a radio talk show once where the people were talking about fasting. It was for ‘religious’ reasons; but intermittent fasting is also very good and healthy for most people physically as well; unless they have a health condition that makes fasting impossible for them.
        Anyway; on the talk show; one man said how he once went on a one-week fast where he ate no food but drank lots of water. Now I warn you; I’m going to write something that might sound a little bit gross; but I think it will be helpful to know this. Near or at the end of his fast; he went to the bathroom one day for a bowel movement. When he went to flush the toilet; he saw that what he ‘deposited’ looked SILVER. He was alarmed of course; and took a sample and headed straight to a local hospital to have it tested. They did test it and guess what it was? Surprise surprise; it WAS silver. He spoke to his parents; asking them if at any time in his childhood; did any doctor administer silver to him. They said YES; one time when he had a tonsil infection. That was THIRTY YEARS back! Just ONE time he had silver; and that silver STAYED IN HIS BODY FOR THIRTY YEARS! It came out only with fasting. Now I myself; BEFORE I heard this story; bought a bottle of colloidal silver. I won’t throw it away; but I will NOT take it internally at all. Between this story and the comment on here from the woman who had cancer; due in part to having heavy metal overload in her system; I now know that ingesting silver is a BAD idea. Just because it might make infections go away does NOT mean it’s perfectly safe. We might get rid of infections; but at what price? I think I’ll stick to other natural remedies.

        Reply
        • Jim Lawrence

          May 9, 2017 at 11:21 AM

          You’re throwing out the baby with the silver bathwater…you don’t have any idea what kind of silver the doctors gave him 30 years ago. It could have been yet another of those products the AMA loves to shove down our throats that had large clumps instead of nano-sized particles of silver. Silver passes out of the body, if it’s from a good product that’s rigorously manufactured to exacting standards. ASAP365 and Argentym 25 are my two top favorites. Silver in sub-molecular form and electrically positively charged should never bind to anything.
          I would comfort you to not be frightened because of this one anecdote. You don’t have any real facts to go on and that could adversely affect your health in the long run, or keep you from getting relief you have at your fingertips.
          I’ve given colloidal silver to my children and stepchildren since they were all young, they’re in their 20s and 30s now and in perfect health, all of them. I used colloidal silver gel recently, after being recommended by a nutritionist, for a rash on my arms and leg (I’m 72) and it’s been amazing: in 6 days, it’s almost entirely gotten rid of the itchy, hot, bumpy rash that I’ve suffered from for months and AMA doctors had not one clue other than “Probably eczema, put steroidal antibiotic cream on it” which helped with the itching for part of one day and that was it.
          While Wellness Mama brings up some appropriate cautions about over indulging etc, I can say using colloidal silver for 30 years myself has greatly improved my health, including quicker cold and flu recovery and quicker healing of wounds, sinus infections etc.
          Trusting our doctors as the be all-end all solution to every health problem is becoming an increasingly flawed and risky belief system. I prefer to go to doctors only when none of the natural health remedies help. There’s a place for all sources of health wisdom, and the AMA-schooled doctors do not hold a monopoly on it. Far from it.

          Reply
          • Dianne

            September 22, 2019 at 7:22 AM

            Totally agree Jim. I’ve been using colloidal silver for colds, pink eye, sinus infections, gums, skin infections for over 25 years. Use it on my pets as well.

      • baladev

        February 29, 2020 at 8:24 AM

        you are right sister … i took coloidal silver fot ten days and it really damaged my gut flora … i became really bad, wokeup in the night with a puffed up stomach and had to go bethroom … very bad experience … so people who have a fragil gut flora or are sensible to antibiotics orsimilars .. should be carefull with it.

        Reply
        • Sharice

          June 18, 2021 at 9:20 AM

          It actually could have been killing off bad guy bacteria and you were having die off.

          Reply
    • Sheree Lally

      July 22, 2018 at 1:37 AM

      With 8 children, 16 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren, we have used Colloidal Silver for everything that can happen. We primarily use 500 ppm suspension as we’ve found that to be the most effective and safe.
      2 drops in an infected ear keeps the doctor away.
      4 squirts into a deep and terribly infected wound surprised the surgeon who was called in to treat. It was full of furry pus the night before and clean as a whistle the next morning after one treatment with CS.
      Got terrible tooth pain and need a root canal with an expensive crown? You can keep that away for years and decades with CS. Just drizzle on the tooth and gums. If 500 ppm., the result will be really quick. Other silver solutions take longer even up to a week and then come back more easily. Good for gum disease as well.
      Bronchitis remedy. Good for sinus but also need a drying agent to start.
      Heals diabetic blisters and sores. Cures the green infection that comes with diabetes and leads to amputation.
      Good for toenail fungus. Cures MRSA. Quickly heals wounds after surgery.
      CS is a remedy for shingles — both internally and externally needed
      Great for eye infections.
      Great for athlete’s foot infections.
      Strep throats gone without a doctor’s visit or bill.
      Prevention of pneumonia without vaccines
      Cancers, cancers, and more cancers — brain, lung, breast, Hodgkin’s, ovarian, stomach, pancreas, melanomas. People saved who were terminal. Just haven’t used for bone, uterine, esophageal, or colon. Trying it on liver cancer now.
      These are just some of the things I remember; we use silver as our first line for everything that is appropriate.

      Reply
      • Megan

        October 29, 2019 at 1:45 PM

        Sheree, Can you please tell Me more about treating shingles and eczema with it? How much/how often? Truly asking for a friend ahaha!!

        Reply
        • james

          November 26, 2019 at 9:46 AM

          I gave some to my daughter whom has eczema and a friends daughter whom has Psoriasis . poured into a spray bottle and spritzed onto effected areas and allowed to air dry…. within a week the areas cleared up. it didnt do anything for the scarring but it did stop it in its tracks. it also works for acne using it the same way.

          Reply
        • Lisa Courtenay

          February 16, 2020 at 1:13 AM

          Medical study on breast cancer and use of silver: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996348/

          Reply
          • Linda Foote

            January 26, 2023 at 8:01 AM

            That is what I was going to say. The die off would cause those problems.

      • james

        November 26, 2019 at 9:40 AM

        how do you address cancers, or how do you attack cancers with the CS ? drinking it ? inhalation ? please advise

        Reply
      • Katelyn

        January 24, 2020 at 2:31 AM

        I’ve been struggling with a toothache for over a year now but due to it being a molar I must see a surgeon and cannot afford to at this time. I took colloidal silver internally to fight the infection after multiple rounds of antibiotics. How do you drizzle it on your tooth? And would it be safe to use in your opinion after having taken it internally. It has been about a month since I stopped however and I am on probiotics as well.

        Reply
      • Tiara

        January 30, 2020 at 5:34 AM

        Is there anyway we could speak? Id love to pick your brain about ways to safety use cs. Id love to hear the Bronchitis as well as help for diabetics. My partners mom is diabetic been on antibiotics for almost 2 years off and on do to a infected foot. Help?

        Reply
  6. Celia

    November 30, 2016 at 7:50 PM

    I’m prone to styes and my husband gets pink eye a lot when he gets sinus infections. I have Sovereign Silver in my work locker (I’m a nurse) and in the house at all times. When it’s ball season….it goes in my first aid kit in lieu of saline solution.

    Reply
    • Dorina

      December 28, 2018 at 12:16 PM

      My daughter seems to have caught a virus from getting sand in her eyes at a park ( filthy sandbox). Looks like she Chalazeon . Wanted to try colloidal silver. So, this can be dropped straight into the eye? Or need to take orally? From the box, I’m thinking orally. ??

      Reply
  7. Keith Moeller

    November 30, 2016 at 5:10 PM

    All the silver tests you have wanted to see are already available. No one needs to continue to guess about what nano silver may or may not do in the human system. Three human nano silver ingestion studies are already available from American Biotech Labs and are also listed in PUB Med. The studies are independent, published, peer reviewed, FDA cleared, human ingestion studies completed by a major university. The studies show that the ABL nano silver has no negative effect on human body systems when ingested on a daily basis. The second study shows that the ingested silver had no negative effect on the taking of necessary drugs. The third study showed that the ABL nano silver made it into the blood stream and had no negative effect on red blood cells. American Biotech Labs also has peer reviewed published human ingestion studies on HIV a virus, human ingestion studies on Malaria (the second leading cause of death by infection on the planet), which are parasites. They also have independent tests on nano silvers effect on probiotics, thousands of antimicrobial tests on bacteria, yeast, fungus and other virus. If you want any of the independent data all you have to do is request it from the company.

    Reply
    • Mary Kay Bachman

      December 4, 2016 at 11:59 PM

      These are good studies Keith. I have used a private labeld brand of ABL nano silver for several years with exceptional results. Vertigo and ear infections, sinus issues, pink eye, burns, blisters, infections, inhaled mold (stopped chest tightness and non-productive cough) colds (put into a personal facial steamer); the list goes on.
      I raised 5 children with colloidal silver and switched to nano when I discovered it 7 years ago. And, as an international flight attendant, I carry both the gel and liquid with me where ever I go.

      Reply
      • Judy G

        October 16, 2017 at 12:59 AM

        Can you advise me on how to travel with colloidal silver in your carry-on luggage?

        Reply
        • Serena

          February 28, 2020 at 9:14 PM

          Just make sure the bottle is under 3oz and your total liquids don’t exceed 1 quart ziplock bag. Just follow the TSA guidelines. I flew with 2oz spray bottle no problem

          Reply
    • Gayla

      March 21, 2017 at 7:20 PM

      Hi Keith,
      Do you recommend a particular brand that is pure? There are so many on Amazon it is hard to know what to look for?

      thanks

      Reply
      • Sandra B

        December 22, 2017 at 8:05 AM

        With all the extensive research I’ve done on silver, Sovereign Silver is a reputable, high quality trusted brand. A friend of mine who used silver as part of his treatment battling cancer successfully insists on this brand!

        Reply
      • Heather

        September 19, 2019 at 8:37 AM

        I read an article that said you’ll know it’s good quality colloidal silver if it has no color to it but if it’s tinted in anyway then it’s poor quality I myself recently went and bought trace minerals brand of colloidal silver and its has no color and has a good reputation for being a good quality

        Reply
        • Laura

          November 16, 2019 at 12:18 PM

          So confusing. I’ve also heard the opposite. In fact the Mesosilver she recommends has color.

          Reply
    • Tiara

      January 30, 2020 at 5:41 AM

      Would love links to these! My grandpa is on diabetic meds, high bs and cholesterol. Id love some for him.

      Reply
  8. melissa

    November 30, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    I’ve had really great experiences with colloidal silver (I also use the brand you mention above). I have had success using it as a nasal spray, taking it internally, and for pink eye. I take it internally at the first sign of a cold/virus and it seems to help stop it in its tracks or shorten it. I’ve used it for pink eye twice with awesome results! No need to go to the doctor – it was cleared up in a day or two. Great option when used appropriately.

    Reply
    • Dana

      November 30, 2016 at 6:02 PM

      When using in eyes or ears, do you dilute or just drop straight in? And how many drops, how often?
      And internal dosing for colds?

      Reply
      • Wellness Mama

        November 30, 2016 at 7:38 PM

        I don’t do internal dosing unless nothing else has worked and usually we just let colds run their course. For ears and eyes, I have personally just dropped straight in before, but I would check with a doctor before doing either of those.

        Reply
        • GUY MCCLUNG

          December 4, 2016 at 10:15 AM

          I am just a husband who doesnt know jack [I know, redundant like “baby puppies”], but I do know enough to believe everything my wife tells me; and she has told me for some years now to start on the colloidal silver immediately if a cold or virus is starting-and it works, it always works. Everyone else in the extended family-those who think natural medicine is voodoo and/or of the devil, you know, the ones who believe in MDs-M Deities – gets sick and goes thru the whole flu or cold program. She even uses it if her dog [not mine] gets an eye infection. I heard there was a study, now poo-poohed by Dept of Defense, where colloidal silver was effective against Ebola. You can make your own, many kits and systems out there, but I don’t know how precise they are and if you get all or most of the silver particles within a desired size range. Thanks for all this info. Guy McClung, San Antonio TX

          Reply
          • dee

            December 5, 2016 at 3:43 PM

            you are a wise man, as my Pastor would say. keep listening to your wife!

          • Jane

            December 6, 2016 at 9:58 AM

            My ex husband makes his own and the first time I tried it was for a toothache and it worked! If anyone in the family starts to get a toothache they ask him to make a batch! I also took it one time when I had a nasty cold that I couldn’t seem to shake. It cleared up within a couple of days! Yes, I believe it works but like everything, take in moderation and only if really necessary.

        • Esther Abergel

          October 10, 2019 at 3:24 AM

          Read Dr L Wilsons article on colloidal silver. He recommends taking it orally as well as topically but just for a few days, max 2 weeks.

          Reply
    • Annice

      December 4, 2016 at 2:55 PM

      I have also used it for pink eye with awesome results.

      Reply
    • Kathy

      December 5, 2016 at 6:37 PM

      How do I take it for a cold? I have a bottle of Sovereign Silver, but do not know how to use it? I have a cold and want to use it. Any information would be appreciated.

      Reply
      • Darlene

        February 22, 2017 at 3:26 PM

        I take a teaspoon of it in the morning. I also diffuse EO and then also take a probiotic in the evening

        Reply
      • megan

        August 9, 2018 at 1:07 PM

        Kathy, Sovereign silver has the dosage info right on the bottle, 3 doses a day for immune strengthening, which would say to me is what you want with a cold. One dose for an adult is 1 tsp, so it would be a total of 3 tsp a day.

        Reply
    • marty

      July 8, 2017 at 12:28 PM

      do you put drops in your eyes?

      Reply
  9. Shalimar

    November 30, 2016 at 10:48 AM

    So when you say use as a sinus rinse, you mean like as using a Netti Pot?
    And have you read anything about using it in a nebulizer vs albuterol? We are on the path to healing our guts bit not quite there so my children still get bothered by coughs from Reactive Airway Disease. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      November 30, 2016 at 7:32 PM

      I just use in an empty nasal saline sprayer or just lean my head back and put a few drops in. I’m hesitant to use in a nebulizer because I haven’t seen any studies on safety that way.

      Reply
      • Amy Stewart

        December 4, 2016 at 8:02 AM

        Seriously, you are NOT going to see any studies either. Big Pharma is in control of studies, and if it doesn’t further their profit driven agenda, they will not DO any studies. It’s similar to the powers that be telling people NOT to EVER consume Comfrey, yet any decent herbalist will tell you it has been safely consumed for millennia. In the same vein they will tell you it’s okay to take poisons in the form of over the counter meds that cause terrible side effects up to and including DEATH. I know, I took an over the counter prep for cough and it caused a stroke, yeah, me and 40,000 other women after it had been approved by the FDA for many years. It took the FDA 20 years to remove it from the shelves because it was in 137 preparations and big pharma stood to lose so much profit. I’ll stick to the silver.

        Reply
        • karnig

          July 28, 2018 at 9:13 PM

          Well said, Amy!! I will stick to the silver. This article feels like it was written by Big Pharma.

          Reply
          • Jennie

            November 18, 2018 at 4:53 PM

            IF Big Pharma was ANTI silver, then why would it be used in the hospital for me post c-section?

        • sue rayfield

          July 30, 2019 at 8:54 AM

          You are so right – I used to work in clinical trials, and had seen three drugs approved which we all knew would be withdrawn within two years. We were correct on all three drugs.

          So, I would never take a new drug that hasn’t been out for at least two years (to be safe, 5 years).

          I wouldn’t trust the FDA farther than I could throw a stick.

          I have a research scientist friend in Canada which told me once it was scary the number of drugs that the FDA would approve, knowing they were not safe.

          Reply
      • Sara

        December 8, 2016 at 8:44 PM

        When my mother had cellulitis, a very bad case, She used silver in the nebulizer. It did wonders. I take internally all the time. It’s the only thing that helps with my strep! I also use externally for temporary relief of my yeast…
        Is what i’m doing not a good idea?

        Reply
        • Jillo

          February 22, 2018 at 8:46 PM

          Sara (and everyone else), This article is so off base on what true “colloidal” silver is. A true, and totally safe, colloidal silver solution is NEVER made with salts of any kind. It is simply pure silver, electrolyzed in distilled water, nothing else added. Any silver solution that includes other chemicals (such as the silver nitrate drops they no longer put in babie’s eyes) should be avoided. Colloidal silver with the smallest particles (ions) is the best, and will never produce that “blue man” look people warn about (known as argyria). So, be assured as you take it internally, or use it in a nebulizer. It’s a wonder, and the best part is that, because it is such a simple solution, there are ways you can make it yourself in your home for pennies a gallon! Companies selling it for big money (ex: $100 or more for 8 oz) are hyping the public. Doing a little research online will get you all the info you need to know.

          Reply
          • Tara

            March 8, 2018 at 7:20 PM

            I believe you misunderstood what she was saying… she was basically saying there are “bad eggs,” so to speak, produced and sold that are being called a true colloidal silver solution when they aren’t. She’s not suggesting that all colloidal silver solutions are made with salts.

          • Kevin DeLaune

            March 10, 2018 at 11:07 AM

            Jillo, you need to understand that typical Ionic Silver (100% of Silver that is created by these cheap generators), gets converted to silver chloride(salt) in the gut. Much of it is also destroyed in the gut. The only silver that isn’t destroyed by the acids in the gut, and doesn’t bind with the sodium chloride there(creating silver chloride), is Particle Silver(true colloids).

            Saying that, once the silver attaches to the bacteria cell wall, silver ions are released and penetrate to kill the bacteria.

            Ionic Silver is much better for external uses such as burns or wounds, due to the high amount of ions that don’t need to be converted first before destroying the pathogen. Ionoc Silver is best used any place that does not have a high sodium chloride environment. On the other hand, Particle Silver is best to be ingested because it is able to survive the stomach acids, and due to the fact it doesn’t bind with the chloride in the gut.

          • Mike H

            April 10, 2019 at 7:40 PM

            Jillo, thank you. There are so many inaccuracies in this article that I don’t know where to start.
            So there is no point starting.
            Mike, Chemical Engineer. Master of Science

          • sue rayfield

            July 30, 2019 at 8:58 AM

            You are exactly right.

        • sue rayfield

          July 30, 2019 at 8:56 AM

          Big Pharma can market and sell products like Silvadine gel, pads, etc. What they can’t do is to get people to quit making their CS water – so no money in their pockets.

          That’s my theory.

          Reply
      • Kevin DeLaune

        March 10, 2018 at 10:51 AM

        Here is a study listed on this site. This site/source is a very reputable one as well. https://thesilveredge.com/nebulizer/

        Reply
    • Noel Nicole

      December 1, 2016 at 8:47 PM

      A health practitioner can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe nebulizers dispense steroids and bronchial dilators, not antibiotics. So I don’t believe this would help at all, as it is listed as an antimicrobial, not a steroid or bronchial dilator.

      Reply
      • gerry

        December 10, 2016 at 1:06 AM

        I have asthma, and just recently had upper respiratory problem. I only use colloidal silver in my nebulizer now…works great…

        Reply
      • hazel

        February 16, 2017 at 10:25 AM

        FYI – Correction to the above comments ****Nebulizers are used to dispense all sorts of medicines for people with different conditions/aliments including those who have handicaps that cannot take medicines orally.

        I use my nebulizer to get plant based & non plant based medicines into my bronchial passageways. It gets these meds. into the blood stream quicker and bypasses the digestive system – colloidal silver – freshly pressed garlic juice (non-irritated home grown garlic) – glutathione supplement’s…etc….

        Reply
  10. Brooke

    November 30, 2016 at 10:33 AM

    So you don’t use it internally? I use it in ears for ear infections (it’s amazing) and internally if we start to get sick.

    Reply
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