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Medical uses of silver

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Colloidal silver is a colloid of silver particles in water. It has antimicrobial properties and is used on external wounds and burns to prevent infection. It has been used internally as a help to quit smoking [1], although it is not approved by the FDA for this use. It is also claimed by some to be a beneficial nutritional supplement. The ingestion of colloidal silver in large quantities or over a long period of time may cause argyria, a condition in which the skin turns blue-gray.

Properties

Colloidal silver can be used to keep drinkable water potable over a long period; however, it is not suited for the initial disinfection of water. It is also used internally and externally for health benefits.

Silver has been used as a topical antiseptic for minor burns for more than 100 years [2]. High concentrations of colloidal silver kill many bacteria in vitro (i.e., under laboratory conditions rather than in the human body) and the topical (or external use on the skin) of colloidal silver to kill microbes is well established. But the use of colloidal silver as ingested medication is controversial.

Controversy

Continued ingestion of high doses of colloidal silver may result in argyria, a permanent discoloration of the skin. A high profile case of this was Libertarian candidate for the US senate Stan Jones who overdosed on colloidal silver.

[3].

Advocates of colloidal silver claim it to be a useful supplement to their diet, providing them with improved health and well being and (among other things) a low incidence of colds and flu. They also assert that, under careful use of properly produced colloidal silver, argyria is virtually impossible. These claims are anecdotal, and have not yet been confirmed or refuted by scientific study.

The US FDA banned over-the-counter sales of colloidal silver products claiming therapeutic value, 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 [4].

See also

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