What is Colloidal Silver?

Chemical-physical basics

By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D., RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine.

Anyone who wants to try out the effect of a remedy unknown to them first seeks to understand its underlying substance. They want to understand its properties and how it works. So, let’s start with the question: What is colloidal silver? The term colloid is little known. However, we deal with colloids on a daily basis. Yes, our lives are even based on colloidal systems. For a better understanding, let us first approach the explanation from the scientific side before turning to the practical meaning. Still, since colloid chemistry is an extremely extensive field, only the most important basics necessary for the understanding of colloidal silver shall be discussed here:

 A colloid is a system in which the smallest particles are extremely finely distributed. These particles consist of few atoms to a few thousand atoms and usually have a size of a few to 200 nanometers. One nanometer corresponds to one billionth of a meter. The proportions are illustrated in the following table. A human red blood cell, for example, has a diameter of 7.5 micrometers (= 7500 nanometers), i.e. it is almost forty times larger than such a giant colloid particle with a diameter of 200 nanometers. For a better understanding, some measurements are set in relation to each other below:

Yet, colloidal silver produced with a generator is much smaller. It consists of only a few atoms and has a diameter of only about one to five nanometers. This colloidal silver is thus many times smaller than a red blood cell or a giant bacterium. Such a ratio is roughly equivalent to the difference in size between a cat and Mount Everest. Compared to the smallest bacteria, a particle of a silver colloid is still almost 2000 times smaller. This relationship is about as if an adult person were standing in front of the Grossglockner Mountain.

What are the benefits of Colloidal Silver?

Case notes of some experience with many diseases:

Therapeutic colloidal silver is a universal, almost side-effect-free remedy for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Many publications have shown that it is effective against bacteria (e.g. staphylococci and streptococci), viruses and fungi (e.g. the yeast fungus Candida albicans). These pathogens are all killed within a few minutes by colloidal silver. Interestingly, the “useful” bacteria in the large intestine, which are important for the human organism, are usually spared, as colloidal silver is absorbed in the small intestine and at the latest, absorbed into the bloodstream or lymph. In some cases, however, it is also desirable for colloidal silver to act in the large intestine. Colloidal silver can also be used for diseases whose causes are not or not fully known.

In the meantime, the successful effect of colloidal silver has been described for a huge spectrum of diseases. It is effective for several hundred different clinical pictures. Especially at the beginning of the 20th century, its effectiveness was intensively studied by numerous well-known scientists, who published the results in renowned medical journals such as Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association and British Medical Journal (i.e. Courtenay 1997). After a long break, interest in silver and colloidal silver had sharply declined. However, research has been very active again for several years.

In a wide variety of fields, the healing power of silver is once again being scientifically dealt with and the old findings and experiences are also being proven with new methods. Diseases for which experience with colloidal silver has been made include numerous complaints of the eyes, respiratory tract, skin, motor apparatus and nervous system.

Considering that a broad-spectrum antibiotic (against bacterial infections) or a broad-spectrum antifungal (against fungal infections) can only kill some of the pathogens and resistance can easily form, this is an enormous advantage. An antibiotic is only effective against a small number of different pathogens and never against viruses. In addition, the intake of colloidal silver is almost free of side effects, while chemical substances can usually have many and strong side effects.

A frequently asked question is whether colloidal silver is also effective against emerging pathogens, such as HIV (AIDS pathogen), H5N1 (bird flu virus) or SARS-CoV (coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome). Unfortunately, there are no studies on this yet, so one can only assume that colloidal silver also helps against these viruses. An overview of the wide range of applications of colloidal silver in humans, animals and plants can be found in a separate book (Pies and Reinelt 2010). In addition to descriptions of the clinical pictures, it also contains concrete information on the use of colloidal silver.

Of the numerous diseases listed in the literature that are or have been treated with colloidal silver, some are listed below as examples. Many users swear by the preventive effect of colloidal silver against colds and flu. For example, about a quarter of users take colloidal silver for respiratory diseases (Pies and Reinelt 2010). This was already known a century ago. Searle (1920) writes: “Colloidal silver has been shown to be useful in influenza, both for prevention and cure, by being used as a nasal spray, eye bath, or gargle.”

The principle of wound treatment with silver coatings or silver plasters, which has been rediscovered today, is based on the same idea as wound treatment with colloidal silver: In addition to silver sulfadiazine, which was introduced in 1968, silver ion-releasing wound dressings and dressings are mainly used today (Thomas and McCubbin 2003). In addition to anti-inflammatory, silver ions also promote the formation of new epithelial tissue and accelerate wound healing. In the early healing phase, more silver is absorbed by the wound tissue than later. This is obviously related to the fact that the healthy tissue (epithelium) is a partial barrier for the silver. So it has a double effect here, because protection against infections is of the utmost importance after a burn, for example. It is possible that colloidal silver supports the production of undifferentiated cells, which are necessary for the replacement of aged or damaged cells (see: Since when has colloidal silver been known?). This may happen by positively influencing controlled cell death (apoptosis) by silver ions. Experimental studies have found that silver also stimulates the formation of special proteins, so-called metallothionein, in the epithelial cells (Landsdown 2002b). These proteins serve to detoxify the body from heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury and promote wound healing. Silver foil made of thinly rolled, sterile silver has been widely used for wound treatment since about 1900 (silver is the most elastic metal after gold and can be processed into 0.0027 millimeter thin sheets). This prevents excessive fluid loss and promotes new tissue formation. In the case of burns and scalds, however, it is also important to prevent infections with pathogens. Silver also makes an important contribution to this as a foil and in colloidal form. It was Dr. William Halstead (1852–1922), one of the fathers of modern surgery, who popularized silver foil for wound covering. This principle was used intensively until the Second World War, but then became a victim of the triumphal march of antibiotics. For some years now, the principle has been experiencing a renaissance in the form of silver-coated wound dressings and plasters (cf. silver dust and silver threads). Hydrocolloid dressings are available as medical devices for antimicrobial wet wound treatment.

The effect is based, among other things, on the release of silver ions into the wound. Lyme disease (erythema migrans disease) was first described in 1976 in the US town of Lyme. It is usually transmitted by ticks and caused by a bacterium, the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. In the course of the disease, cardiac and neurological symptoms as well as arthritis of the large joints can occur. Courtenay (1997) points out that patients who were treated in vain with various antibiotics for three years or more became symptom-free with three to four weeks of therapy with colloidal silver. The average time it takes to rid the body of the pathogen is three to nine months. However, a yeast infection (caused by Candida albicans) often complicates the therapy, which requires an extension of the duration of treatment, according to Courtenay. The Dresden physician Dr. Wilfried Krickau has also made very good healing successes with colloidal silver in the concomitant therapy of Lyme disease (Krickau 2005). As with antibiotic therapy, however, it must be borne in mind that a negative serological result does not necessarily mean the complete healing of Lyme disease.

*** Please never try to treat serious illnesses on your own but entrust yourself to an experienced doctor or alternative practitioner. ***

They can be triggered by different fungi and can be very disturbing. They are often associated with itching, redness or even painful skin cracks (rhagades). Fungal skin diseases often pose a major health and cosmetic problem for affected people at the same time. Conventional treatment often takes a long time, and relapses often occur.

Courtenay (1997) reports that the symptoms can be controlled within two to three days with local application with colloidal silver. But there are also stubborn cases that require more patience.

Psoriasis is a disease whose predisposition is inherited, and which is considered incurable. It is an extremely annoying illness that can also be psychologically stressful. Their outbreak can be triggered by various factors (including bacteria and viruses). The disease manifests itself through increased dandruff formation and occurs preferably on the elbows, knees, hairy head, palms and soles of the feet, as well as in body folds. However, the whole body can also be affected. Courtenay (1997) describes that normal skin grows back after just three weeks through the application of colloidal silver, but the therapy can also take three to eighteen months, depending on the previous treatment. Patients regularly report good experiences with colloidal silver in psoriasis (Pies and Reinelt 2010).

However, the disease can break out again and again. Inflammation of the mouth is very common. They can affect the gums, tongue or cheeks and can have various causes. Sometimes they are very painful and disturbing and can even make it difficult to speak or eat. It is reported that those affected have recovered very quickly due to colloidal silver. After a short, low-dose application, most were able to eat again, and a complete regression of the infection was achieved after two to four days by taking colloidal silver four times a day.

Herpes simplex is caused by a virus and manifests itself through recurrent localized, grouped blisters. Depending on the diseased area of the body, we speak of herpes facialis (face), herpes labialis (lips), herpes nasalis (nose), herpes buccalis (cheeks) or genital herpes (genital organs). The symptoms are often triggered by stressful life situations of the infected person. The first signs of a new flare-up are itching and sensitivity to pain in the affected area. The annoying bubbles then form. According to Courtenay (1997), topical application (topical application) of colloidal silver can prevent blistering in half of the cases at the first symptoms. If they do occur, it is usually milder than without immediate treatment. Their regression is also positively influenced by colloidal silver. They disappear again in half the usual time.

Herpes zoster (shingles), another viral disease that can be very painful, is also described as a successful treatment with colloidal silver. Many people will wonder if colloidal silver can cure AIDS. The more severely a person is affected by a disease and the more hopeless its treatment is, the greater the hopes for every new drug and for every new treatment method. Especially in the case of HIV infections, new drugs and drug combinations have been able to achieve better and better success in recent years. In this way, the onset of AIDS can be significantly delayed and the treatment of concomitant diseases has also been improved enormously. Although AIDS has not yet become curable, the quality of life of those affected has been improved and their life expectancy has been greatly extended. Although it is described that the AIDS pathogen, the HI virus, just like other viruses, is killed with colloidal silver in vitro (in the test tube), a cure for AIDS has unfortunately not yet been achieved. In HIV-infected people, otherwise harmless germs cause so-called opportunistic diseases because of the weakened immune system. Therefore, colloidal silver should also be suitable as a natural agent for these people to support the immune system, especially since it is well tolerated. Many of these opportunistic diseases are caused by single-celled organisms (bacteria, fungi or viruses). These include, for example, cytomegaloviruses, herpes simplex viruses, candida, salmonella, mycobacterium, tubercle bacillus and toxoplasma. If you are interested in experiencing colloidal silver in AIDS, it is best to contact a regional support group. But the homepage of the AIDS Project Los Angeles (www.apla.org) also provides information on this. As part of the FDA’s call for statements regarding colloidal silver (book: Why all the fuss?) an interesting article by a doctor on the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (benign enlargement of the prostate) was also submitted.

He reports on a double-blind clinical study on 22 men aged 50 to 82 in whom he had treated nocturia (i.e. an increased urge to urinate at night). Patients reported getting up one to five times during the night. 15 patients (verum group) were treated with colloidal silver and seven with placebo (colored water). The dose was one teaspoon each of a finished product in the morning and in the evening over 19 to 23 days. Four patients from the verum group subsequently reported a decrease in going to the toilet at night from two to four times to only once. Five (as well as one from the placebo group) reported a general improvement in nocturia. Subsequently, all study participants took one teaspoon of colloidal silver per day for eight weeks.

After another four weeks, 16 participants (one had dropped out of the study) reported improvement, while five reported no progress. In this context, the successful treatment of night tripper (inflammation of the prostate as a result of gonorrhea) is also interesting. To do this, the physician James Mac Munn injected colloidal silver into the prostate through an endoscope (Mac Munn 1917). After the “anthrax letters” following the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, the question immediately arose as to whether one could protect oneself against the anthrax pathogen with colloidal silver. In fact, it has been known since 1887 that silver is very effective against the anthrax pathogen (Bechhold 1919 and Dean 2001). This pathogen had been discovered eleven years earlier by the famous Robert Koch (1843–1910). Even though he is better known today for his work on tuberculosis, Koch owed his professional advancement to the discovery of the anthrax pathogen Bacillus antracis in 1876, because this was actually his first object of study. We owe his work not only the reduction of cholera and tuberculosis, but also that of the highly contagious anthrax. Even today, anthrax is widespread worldwide, especially in countries with little intensive animal disease control. Especially people who often come into contact with animals or animal carcasses (farmers, veterinarians, etc.) are potentially at risk of contracting anthrax. However, the “anthrax letters” at the end of 2001 clearly showed that danger also threatens from other sides, because the laboratories of the “civilized war industry” are not as safe as generally assumed, since the pathogens used at that time obviously came from such laboratories.

As a preventive measure, in connection with the “anthrax letters”, official bodies recommended the early administration of antibiotics to people at risk. However, it is warned not to do this on your own. If necessary, the medicines (penicillin for pulmonary and intestinal anthrax or ciprofloxacin or doxycycline for cutaneous anthrax) are available in sufficient quantities. Although there are no studies on whether colloidal silver can prevent infection with anthrax in humans or animals, since it kills the pathogen, it can be assumed that taking colloidal silver can at least support the body’s own defences. If there is a concrete suspicion of infection with the anthrax pathogen, professional help must be sought in any case. At this point, it should be emphasized once again that colloidal silver does really amazing things in many cases, but it is not a miracle cure (Pies 2010). They can use it to fight many pathogens – also preventively – or support the cure of diseases.

***DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article is to give more insight and education into the benefits of colloidal silver. By no means is this suggesting being “The Treatment” and, in the case of serious illnesses, professional medical advice must always be sought.***

Did you find this article of benefit? I hope you found this interesting. I am “diving” further into the ancient history of colloidal silver and gold and want to share my findings with you.

So stay tuned.

Warm Wishes as always,

Catherine (CWD) 27 October 2024, Ireland