Colloidal Silver
Colloidal Silver:
Colloidal silver has been known for centuries for it’s anti-infectious qualities (see The Ancient Secret of Metals for Health). Prior to the development of
antibiotics by the pharmaceutical industry, colloidal silver was used extensively within the medical community. Today silver is used for its antibacterial
properties in compound form for severe burns, for drops in the eyes of newborn babies, for water filters, vehicle steering wheels and more.
Two companies have developed ionic silver bandages that are used with great success to combat infection and speed healing within hospital and medical
settings.
Research on the use of commercial mild silver protein products has been conducted at two universities. In The Micro Silver Bullet by M. Paul Farber Ph.D.,
the author describes tests at the University of Toronto on his mild silver protein product showing it was not toxic to animals even in larger quantities.
Another company had their mild silver protein tested at a US university in 1999. This research proved the product was effective against a variety of virulent
bacteria. (Note: The university has asked not to be named as it was independent research by a professor rather than university-sponsored research.)
Making Your Own Ionic/Colloidal Silver:
In particle size small: the early 1990’s, Bob Beck came up with the idea of making ionic/colloidal silver using three 9-volt batteries. He wanted to make it
possible for individuals to make their own colloidal silver. When made electrically using only distilled water and silver wires that are 99.99% pure, the silver
produced is free of impurities. Both ionic and colloidal silver is produced to assure a small particle size. To keep particle size small it is best to limit the
parts per million (PPM) of ionic/colloidal silver from 3 to 6 PPM.
Colloidal silver can also be made by adding a few drops of a dilute sea salt solution. This is a fast way to produce colloidal silver but the particle size will be
larger because of the formation of silver chloride. For this reason we do not recommend the salt method be used if one is drinking colloidal silver on a
longer-term basis.
Particle Size and Argyria:
A small particle size is important for the body to successfully use and handle ionic/colloidal silver. There is a risk of developing argyria if the particle size is
too large. If the particle size is too large for the body to readily process the silver, the lymph system must handle these larger molecules. If the lymph system
carries the
molecules for excretion through the skin, argyria can develop. Argyria is a result of light hitting silver to turn it darker. Argyria can occur in all
organs. It is not noticeable, however, until the silver molecules are forced out
through the skin.
Please note that with thousands of people drinking colloidal silver for nearly 10 years, there has been only one reported cases of argyria in several
decades. A candidate for the US Congress in 2002, Argyria was reported to have a blue tinge. He was interviewed and it turns out he had been drinking
silver salts or a solution with larger particle sizes rather than ionic/colloidal silver for several years.
There is some need for caution. The British Columbia Ministry of Environment in a water quality document (August 7, 2001) outlining the toxicity of silver to
freshwater microbes and marine microbes, states with regards to humans: “Populations that are unusually susceptible to toxic effects from silver are those
with
dietary deficiencies of vitamin E or selenium, or those with genetically-based deficiencies in the metabolism of
these essential nutrients. Those
populations with damaged livers and those exposed to very high selenium
levels in their diet are also at higher risk. Some people may exhibit an allergic
response to silver.”
The document was prepared because of the discharge from photo-processing labs and solid state electronics. The report also states: “For human,
laboratory animal, wildlife and livestock drinking water, and for food processing industries where water is incorporated into the product, no silver criterion
appears to be necessary. Silver is a disinfectant for non-spore forming bacteria at concentrations about 1000 times lower than the levels at which it is
toxic to mammalian life.”
A Canadian government report of September 1986 on silver states that: “The quantity of silver causing argyria in man is not precisely known, but Hill and
Pillsbury noted that the injection of 1000 mg of silver as silver arsphenamine produced this condition.” Note the injection was not ionic silver but rather a
silver compound. Compounds have larger molecular sizes.
A hair analysis will determine whether you are low or high in selenium. It would be wise to consult a natural health practitioner to individualize a mineral
supplement program. Of course, it’s a good idea to change your supplement program from time to time.
Argyria: Stan Jones, Montana Libertarian Congressional Candidate’s Experience With Colloidal Silver and Argyria
Stan Jones' bluish skin made the major media circuit early in October 2002, after which he was keen to let others know the mistakes he made in making
colloidal silver over a period of about five years. While living in Seattle, he immersed silver wires in a paper cup with tap water. Then he used a 27-Volt
generator to make the colloidal silver. In Seattle the tap water contained very few minerals and conductivity of the water was very low. To improve the
conductivity, Jones was advised to add about four drops of a salt solution. He generated the silver solution for eight minutes in eight ounces of room
temperature water and consumed it each day.
When Stan moved to Montana in 1999, he discovered the tap water there contained a lot of minerals so the drops of salt were no longer necessary to get
a good current. He decided to make a stronger solution of the silver and added it to his drinking water. He let the generator operate for 1–1½ hours. This
would produce a high PPM concentrate with silver compounds as a result of the minerals in the water. He then added this milky solution to two gallons of
drinking water. This was his main source of drinking water throughout the day. Stan estimates he drank about 4 to 6 glasses of this silver solution each
day.
Stan first noticed a blue color under his fingernails. He wasn’t concerned at the time because he hadn’t heard of argyria and felt in good health. Early this
past summer, however, others started to comment on a gray or bluish tinge to his face. He now notices a slight bluish tinge under his eyes and around his
nose. Stan says his face is certainly not as blue as the picture that was in the media. “Photography,” he says, “can do things with color that is totally
dependent on the light conditions. Some of my family and friends notice a difference in my skin tone but some don’t notice any difference.”
Stan’s experience is a good reminder for all of us to remember to:
1) Use only distilled water,
2) Make ionic/colloidal silver in the 3–5 PPM range,
3) Use either the heat method to increase conductivity or a constant current unit. In the past we have suggested using the salt method when traveling or
on an emergency basis when it wasn’t convenient to heat the water. With the availability of constant current units, the salt method is no longer necessary
even for travel. Both the heat method and a constant current unit ensure the particle size stays small.
There are no reported cases of argyria when ionic/colloidal silver is made as above.
Keep in mind that we also suggest using Colloidal Silver when you have an illness or disease.
A Handy Guide for Ionic/Colloidal Silver:
For household use, tap water can be used to make ionic/colloidal silver. Distilled water or de–ionized water should be used for internal
and personal use.
Personal care:
- Spray hair and body after bathing.
- Spray under arms as a deodorant.
- Use for gargling to ease throat.
- Mouth wash
- Clean under nails, in ears and navel with a soaked Q–tip.
- Wipe hearing aids and eyeglass frames.
- Spray contact lenses.
- Eye drops
- bathroom:
- Sterilize tooth brushes.
- Soak dentures.
- Add to bath water, douches and colonics.
- Add to dental Water–Pik.
- Soak/spray combs, brushes and loofas.
- Spray bath and shower mats.
- Spray on cosmetics.
Kitchen:
- Spray on surface of or add a few drops to leftovers and condiments before storing in refrigerator.
- Rinse or spray vegetables, fruits, grains and meats before using or storing.
- When canning, add ½ tsp per quart.
- Spray or rinse sprouts.
- Spray storage area, interior of refrigerator, lunch kits, garbage containers.
- Spray cutting boards, sponges and dish cloths.
- Add to dishwater.
Household Cleaning:
- Add to cleaning solutions.
- Wipe telephone mouthpieces and head phones.
- Spray furnace and air conditioning filters after cleaning.
- Wipe air ducts and vents.
- Rinse toilet seats and bowls, sinks, tiling and doorknobs.
- Spray carpets, drapes, mattresses, furniture and window sills.
First–Aid:
- Spray on band–aids.
- Spray on razor cuts.
- Spray on pimples.
- Spray between toes, in groin or any area that itches.
Pets:
- Use in bath water.
- Feed directly by dropper or add to water dish.
Clothes:
- Spray in shoes.
- Mist clothes before storing.
- Spray in gloves.
- Spray watch bands.
- Add to rinse water of laundry— especially for diapers.
Plants:
Recreation:
- Add to picnic foods containing mayonnaise to prevent food poisoning. Keep covered and cool as well!
- Add to pools, hot tubs and foot baths.
- Add to children's paste and paint pots.
Store in a thermos flask or dark glass bottle.
A spray bottle is a handy item.
Reference: "A Few Unique Plus Traditional Uses for Silver Colloid," Robert C. Beck, Explore! Vol. 7 No. 2, 1996.
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