Colloidal silver is a controversial alternative medicine. It’s advocates claim that it’s an effective treatment for all sorts of infections and diseases, ranging from the common cold to cancer. How is Colloidal silver used for ear infection. In this article, Colloidal silver will be discussed, its uses, side effects and how Colloidal silver is used for ear infection.
What is Colloidal silver ?
Colloidal silver” is the term used to describe tiny particles of silver suspended in a liquid
The size of the silver particles in colloidal silver varies, but some are so tiny that they’re referred to as nanoparticles. This means that they’re less than 100 nanometers in size and invisible to the naked eye.
Historically, silver was used as an all-purpose remedy for various infections and illnesses due to its antimicrobial properties. In fact, the earliest recorded use of silver as a medical treatment dates back to the Han Dynasty in China (1500 B.C.)
However, colloidal silver was quickly abandoned in the early 20th century when antibiotics were discovered and found to be more effective than colloidal silver in the treatment of health conditions and disease.
Since the 1990s, colloidal silver has started to regain popularity as an alternative medicine, with advocates claiming that it can replace antibiotics or other medical therapies to treat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
A smaller number of people go as far as to assert that it helps treat conditions like Lyme disease, tuberculosis, HIV, and even cancer. However, no research supports these claims.
Today, those who use colloidal silver take it as an oral dietary supplement or apply it directly to their skin.
Other Name(s) for Colloidal silver ?
Argent Colloïdal, Argent Ionique, Argent Natif, Argentum Metallicum, Colloidal Silver Protein, Ionic Silver, Native Silver, Plata Coloidal, Protéine d’Argent, Silver, Silver Alginate, Silver in Suspending Agent, Silver Protein, Tetrasilver Tetroxide, Tétroxyde de Tétra-Argent.
Argent Colloïdal, Argent Ionique, Argent Natif, Argentum Metallicum, Colloidal Silver Protein, Ionic Silver, Native Silver, Plata Coloidal, Protéine d’Argent, Silver, Silver Alginate, Silver in Suspending Agent, Silver Protein, Tetrasilver Tetroxide, Tétroxyde de Tétra-Argent.
Uses of Colloidal Silver
Manufacturers of colloidal silver claim their products can stimulate the immune system and help the body heal itself. Supporters believe the supplement can help:
- Heal wounds
- Improve skin disorders
- Prevent or treat diseases like the flu, pneumonia, herpes, eye infections, shingles, cancer, and AIDS
Some test-tube studies back up a few of these claims. They show that colloidal silver has properties that fight against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and inflammation. What the studies don’t show is what happens outside of the test tube.
When swallowed, colloidal silver can potentially be toxic.2 In rare cases, it can even lead to death. Moreover, little evidence shows that silver has the same antibacterial properties inside the body.
Ultimately, the human body has no need for silver. It’s not an essential mineral and serves no biological function of any sort.
While silver toxicity is rare, silver can add up in the body over months and years. This can lead to severe disfigurement and cause harmful deposits in the liver, spleen, kidney, muscles, and brain.3
That’s not to say that silver offers no health benefits. When used topically (on the skin), colloidal silver can help heal and prevent infection.
Colloidal Silver for ear Infection
Ear infections can cause major disscomfort. When you have an ear problem you really do know about it. Can colloidal silver be used for ear infection?
Colloidal silver is a suspension of minute silver particles in a liquid solution. As a microbial antibiotic, colloidal silver has been used by various cultures as a topical and internal medication for hundreds of years.
However, following the discovery of penicillin and subsequent increase in commercially prepared antibiotics, the medicinal value of colloidal silver was discounted. Colloidal silver is perhaps the world’s simplest and most effective cure for ear infections in adults, and even babies!
That’s because it is all-natural, comes in liquid form which can easily be dropped into the ear using a standard eyedropper, and is easily available over-the-counter at health food stores or through internet sources. Conventional prescription antibiotic drugs, which are designed to work against specific classes of bacteria, won’t work at all against fungal pathogens or viruses. Colloidal silver has very broad spectrum antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal qualities. Indeed, colloidal silver almost always works regardless of the cause of the infection!
Usage
- People have been known to place 2 or 3 drops of colloidal silver into the ear canal of the infected ear.
- As a preventative measure, some add colloidal silver to both ears due to the threat of the infection spreading.
- Having an infection in both ears is common. People have also mentioned that they have held the colloidal silver in the ear for up to 15 minutes to maximise the benefits.
- After holding the colloidal silver in the ear, the solution is then allowed to drain out.
Possibly Ineffective for
- Swelling (inflammation) of the nasal cavity and sinuses (rhinosinusitis). Using a nasal spray containing colloidal silver does not work any better than saline nasal spray for reducing symptoms of sinusitis.
- There is interest in using colloidal silver for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
How do people take colloidal silver?
Though it’s discouraged for oral use, colloidal silver can still be found in liquid and spray form. Most products contain very low doses of colloidal silver, usually ranging from 10–30 parts per million (ppm)
You’ll usually find it labeled as:
- colloidal silver spray
- silver hydrosol
- colloidal silver nebulizer
- silver water
- silver sol
Typically, colloidal silver products are sold as homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy is based on the premise that very low doses of a substance can produce health benefits, though little research supports this.
Additionally, silver is commonly added to bandages and dressings to help with wound and burn healing. Common brands names include Acticoat, Allevyn Ag, Aquacel Ag, Biatain Ag, Flamazine, Mepilex Ag, and Silvercel.
Finally, silver is found in other commercial products, such as cleaning agents, agricultural treatments, and personal hygiene products like shower gels and deodorants
How does colloidal silver work?
Colloidal silver is said to have broad antibacterial and antiseptic effects when taken orally or placed on a wound.
It’s unknown exactly how colloidal silver works. However, research suggests that it attaches to proteins on the cell walls of bacteria, damaging their cell membranes.
This allows silver ions to pass into bacterial cells, where they interfere with metabolic processes and damage DNA, leading to the cell’s death.
Silver is also thought to interfere with proteins found within viruses, which may prevent the virus’s replication.
Research suggests that the effects of colloidal silver vary depending on the size and shape of the particles of silver, as well as their concentration in a solution.
In theory, a large number of small particles has a greater surface area than a lower number of large particles. As a result, a solution that contains more silver nanoparticles may release more silver ions.
Silver ions are released from the silver particles when they come into contact with moisture, such as body fluids. They are considered to be the biologically active part of colloidal silver that gives it its antimicrobial properties. However it’s worth noting that colloidal silver products aren’t standardized and may have serious side effects. Due to their ability to incite oxidation and cell damage, they may also harm healthy human cells.
Further, silver nanoparticles and silver ions that are ingested can accumulate in your organs. Prolonged use of and exposure to colloidal silver may lead to a condition known as argyria, which results in your skin turning blue-gray due to a buildup of silver.
Commercially available colloidal silver solutions vary widely in their production methods, as well as the number and size of their silver particles. In many cases, these products are sold as dietary supplements and make false, misleading health claims.