Silver has been used since ancient times as an antiseptic and healing agent. Its germicidal, preservative and restorative properties are documented in writings by the Greek scientist, historian and narrator Herodotus.
Doctors today are quick to prescribe antibiotics for nearly every symptom imaginable. But there are safe, natural alternatives available.
Antibacterial
Silver is a natural antibiotic that kills bacteria, without causing resistance, as happens with most antibiotic drugs. Silver binds with some of the proteins in the bacteria, interfering with their function, causing them to denature and die. Silver can also bind to the enzymes in viruses, fungi and parasites to make them inactive.
Many cultures around the world have long used silver to treat bacterial infections, including the plague. The Romans used silver nitrate for burn injuries. In the 1890s, Dr. Robert O. Becker at Syracuse University rediscovered the antibacterial properties of colloidal silver. He found that not only did it kill common bacteria, but it also killed bacterial pathogens that had become resistant to other antibiotics. In addition, it did so with no undesirable side effects.
Today, many burn centers use silver soaked bandages to help speed healing and reduce the risk of infection. It is also widely used in the medical field as an antifungal, killing yeast overgrowth in the intestines, and in treating sinusitis, ear infections, shingles, pneumonia, and more.
Adding silver to oral medications has been shown to increase their effectiveness against some types of fungi, such as Candida and Aspergillus. It can also be used to treat ringworm, scabies, athlete’s foot, and other fungal infections. Silver has also been shown to be effective against the herpes virus and HIV, although current research on a vaccine is a long way off. In addition, silver has been shown to be an effective germicide, killing both bacterial and viral pathogens, as well as other organisms such as parasites and protozoa. Its germicidal action can be attributed to its ability to neutralize free radicals.
Antifungal
Silver has a long history of being used to treat fungal infections. It has been proven to be effective against Candida albicans (yeast) and Candida glabrata, the fungi responsible for oral thrush and denture-related stomatitis.
Its antifungal properties are attributed to its ability to interfere with the metabolism of microorganisms. The positively-charged silver ions bind to the proteins and nucleic acids of organisms, disrupting their function and inhibiting growth.
Silver also works to help calm hypersensitive, irritated and inflamed skin while supporting the body’s natural healing process. In addition, the silver particles reflect harmful UVA and UVB sun rays, protecting the skin against damage and premature aging.
Colloidal silver is the preferred form of silver to use for skincare and health purposes because it consists of microscopic silver atoms suspended in distilled ion-less water. When applied topically, it provides gentle, broad-spectrum antimicrobial action without damaging healthy skin flora.
When applied to the skin, ionic silver acts as an effective antifungal, and it has been shown to reduce the incidence of fungal nail infections, such as athlete’s foot. It also supports the healing of topical fungal infections, such as dermatitis and eczema, by supporting normal immune functions and stimulating tissue repair and regeneration.
The fungicidal effects of silver ions also make them an excellent treatment for chronic, treatment-resistant infections like tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis and multidrug-resistant pneumonia. Silver has also been shown to interfere with quorum sensing, which is the process that bacteria use to communicate and determine when to form a biofilm. This is a great advantage over antibiotics, which only attack the surface of organisms and leave vulnerable areas unprotected. Silver is able to penetrate the biofilm and kill the microorganisms within it, as well as disrupt their enzyme systems and prevent them from multiplying.
Anti-inflammatory
Silver’s antimicrobial properties can help relieve the symptoms of many common infections including sinus infections, pink eye (conjunctivitis), ear infections, pneumonia and shingles. Silver ions and nanoparticles disrupt harmful bacteria by binding with their proteins, destabilizing their cell structures, blocking enzymatic nutrients and killing them. In addition, silver can inhibit bacterial proliferation and aid in wound healing.
Colloidal silver is a popular supplement used by holistic health practitioners to support immune system function. It consists of tiny particles suspended in liquid and can be taken orally or applied topically. Silver’s antimicrobial properties can reduce inflammation and kill bacteria, viruses and fungi upon contact while boosting the body’s natural defenses.
Research indicates that silver supports the activity of white blood cells, helping to eliminate disease-causing pathogens while reducing inflammation. It has also been shown to increase levels of specialized WBCs that fight cancerous cells and bolster the immune response to help keep the body free from infection.
Unlike prescription antibiotics, silver is not absorbed into the body’s microbiome and does not contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, it is gentle enough to use topically to ease skin irritations, bruises and small scrapes and cuts. Silver ions and nanoparticles bind to the surface of the skin and destroy pathogens, while stimulating the growth of healthy tissue.
The antimicrobial properties of silver make it an excellent treatment for inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema. It can also be used to heal and soothe abrasions, minor burns and sprains. Its antifungal qualities are also helpful in easing the symptoms of yeast infections. At Peaceful Mountain, we incorporate silver into our products to promote healthy skin and ease the discomfort of common throat issues. Try our soothing Silver Gel for abrasions and blemishes or our Throat Rescue to relieve sore, scratchy throats.
Immune System Booster
Silver is so effective at killing germs and viruses that it was used as an antibiotic until the discovery of penicillin. Silver coins were even put into milk containers to help prevent spoilage before fridges were invented. Modern supplements called colloidal silver are made by suspending nanometer-sized particles of pure silver in a solution of water. Silver works by interfering with the enzyme in cells that allows bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts to utilize oxygen. It suffocates them and destroys them.
Silver also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially beneficial for people with adrenal fatigue, which causes inflammation because the body doesn’t have enough cortisol to control it. Silver can be used to treat the underlying condition that is causing the adrenal fatigue, and it can also boost immune function.
Research has shown that silver is effective against a variety of infections including pneumonia, bronchitis and ear infections. It has also been used to treat the herpes virus and aid in reducing warts, shingles and other viral conditions.
Unlike antibiotics, which can build up resistance in bacteria and cause serious side effects, pure silver is safe to use for long-term treatment. In fact, it is so effective that it can be used to promote wound care and healing, reduce strep throat, speed up burn recovery, heal the skin and eliminate yeast infections such as thrush, ringworm and jock itch. It is also an excellent supplement for boosting immune function to help the body fight off autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, endometriosis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. In addition, the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties of silver may be useful in reducing symptoms associated with these conditions such as joint pain and fatigue.
Anti-aging
In modern science, silver has been shown to promote the healing of wounds and accelerate tissue growth and repair. This is due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects.
In fact, silver was the go-to antiseptic metal for thousands of years prior to the introduction of pharmaceutical antibiotics. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, extolled its powers in fighting ulcers and enhancing wound recovery. The ancients used silver utensils to preserve food and water, as did the wealthy families of the Middle Ages who benefited health-wise from their use (even though this resulted in a bluish-grey discoloration of their skin known as argyria). North American pioneers routinely dropped silver coins into their drinks during long journeys to ward off infectious diseases.
Not only has silver been found to have a wide range of anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, but it also has potent cancer-fighting abilities. Studies have demonstrated its ability to induce apoptosis and disrupt cancer cell formation, among other things.
Unfortunately, silver’s resurgence in popularity as a germ fighter was short-lived after the 1930s, when synthetically manufactured antibiotic drugs came onto the market and stole its thunder as a ‘wonder drug.’ Today, however, scientists are rediscovering the mystical silver’s remarkable infection-fighting capabilities and are developing new uses for it.
While it is true that silver can cause argyria in some people when taken in large doses, this is an issue related to chronic excessive intake of high-quality colloidal silver products and not to its use as a medical treatment. It is a shame that people are encouraged to blindly trust chemical pharmaceuticals with pages of side effects, while any natural remedy that has been around for centuries is instantly mocked.