Like many natural or less-known immune boosting remedies, colloidal silver has become a buzz word in some homes and a medicine-cabinet staple in others. Silver has been used for at least six thousand years to prevent microbial infections and has proven to be effective against almost all organisms tested. But what is colloidal silver really and in what ways could you consider using it in your home if you are on the lookout for alternative therapies to common health issues, such as a sinus infection or the common cold?
Colloidal silver is a solution of water containing nanometer sized particles of suspended silver. In early modern times, before the invention of the refrigerator, many European and American households placed dollar coins in milk to keep it fresh. By the 1800s, silver nitrate was being used to treat wounds and skin ulcers and then in 1852, doctors discovered that using silver sutures helped to heal surgical wounds. By the early 1900s, the use of silver as an antibacterial substance became well known and while some negative publicity suggesting that the use of silver could turn your skin blue slowed adoption, reputable medical journals verified that proper preparation and use of silver was safe. Shortly after, silver lead was used in WWI to prevent infections on wounds and by 1940, there were about four dozen different silver compounds being used in oral, injectable, and topical forms to treat every known infectious disease.
Fast forward to today and while we can put our milk in our fridge, we are still using silver in modern medicine. Colloidal silver is found in medical implants, breathing tubes and catheters just to name a few. Silver is widely used in Japanese workplaces to fight against industrial and airborne toxins and the Swiss use silver water filters in their offices and homes. So how can you incorporate silver in your home to fight pathogens and to maintain, sustain and support your immune defenses? Silver can be effective and used in small quantities for general health but can also target earaches, eye health, first aid support and water purification. Consider taking silver before you travel to give your immune system the boost it needs before you are exposed to an increased number of germs and bacteria. Silver can also be useful in supporting skin conditions like acne and eczema, allergy health, and it destroys bacteria, viruses and yeast that reside in or around the ears, nose, throat, and lungs to support our respiratory systems. I’ve found that the uses of silver are endless and now consider it to be a leader in my first line of defense.
Unfortunately, back in the 90s, lobbying led the FDA to ban the use of silver. Since then, over-the-counter drugs containing colloidal silver for internal use are no longer available for sale, and only topical treatments and homeopathic remedies are available rebranded as supplements. As you can imagine, that makes it difficult and confusing for the average consumers to determine which option is best for them. Like many traditional and holistic medications, vitamins and supplements, there is an abundance of colloidal silver products in the market to choose from. I would recommend that you consult with your functional practitioner to determine which options are best for you. I also highly recommend purchasing the book ‘The Healing Power of Silver’ written by James Douglas to learn more about the incredible health benefits of this powerful antibacterial substance. Finally, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor and discuss how and if any supplements you are taking will interact with any medications.
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