Colloidal silver
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Colloidal silver is silver in very fine particles, suspended in water. It can be prepared by any of several methods:
- Constant Voltage Method: Pass 12-30 volts through two silver electrodes in distilled water for 2-3 minutes per glass. The water should be pure and no salt should be added as the presence of salt will lead to the silver particles bonding with the sodium chloride to produce silver chloride. Put a small light bulb in the circuit. If the bulb lights, the water is conducting and the process starts. This method most commonly uses several 9v batteries wired in series.
With this method a constant voltage is being used to produce the colloidal silver. This means that as the conductivity of the distilled water increases, as more silver particles are released from the electrodes, larger particles of silver are produced. Eventually the silver particles will become so large they fall out of suspension and fall to the bottom of the glass. This is an unsafe method of production as larger particles of silver can accumulate in the body resulting in Argyria.
- Constant Current Method: As above except that a constant current regulator is used which reduces the voltage as the conductivity of the distilled water increases. This ensures that the silver particles produced remain at a constant small size, thus reducing the risk of Argyria. It is also claimed that smaller silver particles are more beneficial for health as they can bond with and neutralise smaller potentially harmful microorganisms.
- Commercial method (e.g., Micropur): use 0.3-0.32% solution. Use 1 drop for 2 liters of water, or approximately 2 drops per gallon. Wait 20 min to drink.
Properties
Colloidal silver can be used to disinfect unsafe water (as while camping). It is also used internally and externally for alleged health benefits. Colloidal silver has been claimed to kill various microorganisms. Continued ingestion of silver ions which are not in the proper colloidal state may result in argyria. Properly prepared colloidal silver has never been shown to cause Argyria. The danger of contracting Argyria is generally overstated. Argyria is a discoloration of the skin (usually permanent in nature) but is nothing more than a cosmetic affliction, as there are no other indications. Colloidal silver is good for application on (even non-healing) wounds / burns (req. higher concentration of Ag).
While high concentrations of colloidal silver will certainly kill many bacteria in vitro, the use of colloidal silver as an internal (in vivo) medicine is controversial. Due to wild health claims (not having gone through the FDA's drug trial and testing regimen) and the poor quality of samples gathered in health food stores, in 1999 the US FDA banned over-the-counter sales of such products, or their advertisement as providing health benefits. If no health benefits are claimed, and Colloidal Silver is sold as a supplement, its sale is legal. In 2002, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration made a similar ruling [1] (http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html).
External links
- http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html
- http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=97&t=11261
- http://www.toolsforhealing.com/products/SilverGen/Articles/GeneralInfo.html
- http://www.toolsforhealing.com/products/SilverGen/Articles/TechnicalInfo.html
- http://dermatology.cdlib.org/111/case_reports/argyria/wadhera.html argyria after using colloidal silver