Colloidal Silver Informed Consent

I think one of the most important things you can do for your health getting full informed consent before any medical treatment or procedure. This applies to every pharmaceutical, herbal remedy, and medical procedure, each will have pros and cons to consider before choosing how to approach treatment. I know many people who swear by colloidal silver and use it all the time, and also I know some people who strongly feel that colloidal silver is toxic and should be avoided. My views on this substance fall somewhere in between.

I’m bringing this up now because we are in the middle of flu season and I’m seeing people using this natural remedy to support immune health instead of getting the flu shot (which is understandable since last year’s flu vaccine made you 27% more likely to get the flu👀). While I agree that it doesn’t make sense to get the flu shot, I think the public needs clarity on how to safely use natural remedies to prevent and support healing from illness as we have done for generations before the widespread use of modern pharmaceuticals.

---

---

Medical Disclaimer

Unfortunately, due to laws here in the US, there is a lot of red tape surrounding what holistic practitioners are allowed to say online. I am not making any medical claims or giving any kind of advice. Please do your own research and consult with your trusted healthcare provider before trying anything you read online.

What is Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver is a liquid suspension of microscopic silver particles (2 to 500 nanometers big) dispersed in water, often marketed as a dietary supplement or alternative remedy for its purported antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. While it was used historically before the advent of modern antibiotics, current medical consensus and health agencies like the FDA do not recognize it as “safe or effective for treating any disease” (for whatever that’s worth lol).

Most of us know by now that essentially all government agencies are heavily influenced by corporate interests and have made some really questionable calls in recent years (e.g. mandating inadequately tested COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, HepB vaccines for infants, Vioxx deaths, thimerosal/mercury in shots, thalidomide birth defects etc.). This is why it’s so important to look into everything for yourself and listen to a wide range of sources to get the full picture before making a decision.

Pros of Colloidal Silver

Please note that this information is being provided for educational purposes only and not as medical advice. Please consult with a trusted healthcare provider for guidance specific to your health situation.

• Colloidal silver works really well as an anti-microbial because it stops bacteria, viruses and fungi from reproducing. This is due to silver’s positive ionic charge.

• Because silver attacks from several angles - cell walls, DNA and enzymes- it’s difficult for bacteria to build up a resistance to it, which is an issue with modern antibiotics.

• Colloidal silver is great topically for wound care, as it inhibits bacterial growth without any systemic effects you’d see from ingestion.

• Some historical evidence that it can help with fungal infections like ringworm and also bacterial acne when applied topically.

• Unlike liquid antibiotics which expire quickly or require refrigeration, silver suspensions are incredibly shelf-stable.

Cons of Colloidal Silver

Example of Argyria
Source: ABC News

• Colloidal silver functions similar to an antibiotic and may kill off ‘good’ bacteria along with the bad. Over long periods, oral use may disrupt the microbiome similarly to long-term antibiotic use, potentially leading to digestive issues or yeast/candida overgrowth.

• Silver is not an essential nutrient and when ingested, behaves like a heavy metal. There is no natural detox pathway for silver, as it’s not supposed to be ingested.

• When the body cannot excrete the silver, it sequesters it in tissues to keep it out of the blood. It deposits in the skin, liver, kidneys, and even the brain. This is a cumulative process and doesn't happen overnight, but builds up over months or years of daily use.

• Colloidal silver can be toxic at higher doses / repeated exposure (it doesn’t detox easily, so chronic use will lead to a high cumulative dose).

• Silver can cause a condition called argyria, which is where silver accumulates in the body's tissues, causing the skin and eyes to permanently turn a distinctive blue-gray color.

• Colloidal silver can interact with certain drugs - Silver can bind to certain medications in the stomach, specifically antibiotics (like tetracyclines) and thyroid medications, rendering them ineffective.

Grey Areas

A major issue with the "unsafe" label is the lack of standardization. Homemade colloidal silver varies wildly in "parts per million" (PPM) and particle size. Large particles are less effective and more likely to cause argyria; "nano" particles are more bioactive but penetrate tissues more deeply.

I see a lot of people buying these supplements off of Amazon, or from random businesses who may not be testing their products to ensure standardized potency. Because “the dose makes the poison”, as they say, I think if you’re going to be using these products, it’s important to source them from businesses who are transparent and publish a certificate of analysis (COA). This, of course, is not an endorsement of the safety of colloidal silver, but just a good standard practice to follow for any supplement. Supplements are an ultra-processed food, and as such, will very often contain contaminants.

So Do I Use Colloidal Silver?

Ultimately this is a decision you’ll have to make for yourself based on your personal health concerns, budget and opinions.

Personally, I don’t use colloidal silver internally, and opt for other immune-supporting herbs like Echinacea, vitamin C & D3, Calendula and homeopathics instead for the reasons mentioned above. I think the case for using colloidal silver externally is a lot stronger, and would consider using a bandage made with silver fibers, or even possibly a disinfectant spray with silver in it for a wound.

Alternatives to Colloidal Silver

Here’s my not-medical-advice, non-exhaustive list of alternatives to colloidal silver. Many of these are widely available at your local health food store, vitamin seller or herb shop.

Immune Boosting

• Oregano oil - similar properties to an antibiotic without risk of producing antibiotic resistant pathogens. (pubmed)

• Echinacea - immune boosting with both antiviral and anti-bacterial properties. (pubmed)

• Berberine (or herbs that contain berberine like Goldenseal root, Oregon grape root). Very bitter tasting compound, and also found to be helpful for metabolic disease. (frontiers)

• Vitamin C - look for ones made from food like camu camu or acerola cherry as the ascorbic acid ones increase risk of developing kidney stones. Vitamin C dose for infections is 6-8g per day according to this study (not medical advice).

• Vitamin D3 - best to get this from the sun, but if you’re in the PNW or some other sunless place, definitely grab a supplement. I aim for around 75 nanograms per ml, which is the max your body will maintain from sun exposure alone.

• Zinc - another well-known immune boosting nutrient. I get this from oysters or a food-based supplement made from oysters as they are the most bioavailable source of zinc. Oysters also contain cofactors like copper that help you absorb zinc better.

Wounds / Topicals

• Comfrey leaf - contains allantoin which helps speed healing of tissues.

• Calendula flowers - Anti-inflammatory properties, and supports faster healing. Calendula tincture is always in my first aid kit. If I have a cut, I usually dilute some calendula tincture in some warm filtered water and soak it a few times per day. This, I feel, has really helped speed up healing and reduced risk of the cut getting infected.

TL;DR:

• Colloidal silver does have antibacterial/anti-fungal/antiviral properties in the petri dish, but when ingested it acts like a toxic heavy metal and at high doses it can turn your skin blue permanently.

• Personally, I only would use it topically on the outside of my body. Never ingested.

• For immune support, I use herbs like echinacea, and goldenseal, and nutrients like vitamin C, D3 and zinc.

• For wound care, I usually reach for herbs like calendula, and/or comfrey leaf. I also would consider using colloidal silver topically, as it could help prevent infection and microbial growth.

---

Additional Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2861249/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/colloidal-silver/faq-20058061

https://www.vumc.org/poison-control/node/935

https://iit.msu.edu/news/2023-5-15-CRIS-trending-colloidal-ionic-silver.html

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/colloidal-silver