What Is Colloidal Silver

Silver as a precious metal Silver itself is a precious metal that occurs in numerous forms. Use as colloidal silver is just one possible form. Silver can be found in all kinds of jewelry, for example, but also in households and in industrial applications. The size of the forms of use also varies. Much more visible than the fine silver particles of colloidal silver are threads or wires made of silver. Colloidal silver, on the other hand, belongs to the group of micro and nano silver. These forms are not visible to the naked eye. In chemistry, silver is positioned at position 47 of the periodic table. Its chemical name is "Argentum" - abbreviated with the symbol "Ag". Colloidal silver is also treated in chemistry. It has been given the name "Argentum colloidale". Outside the research laboratory, it is also known as "silver sol" or "silver water". Colloidal Silver - its Origin The basis for colloidal silver is elemental, i.e. pure silver, from which a liquid dispersion is made. The two components of this dispersion are the silver itself and distilled water (or another suitable liquid). The silver is dissolved in the water in a very fine form. The individual silver particles remain as such in the water - they do not dissolve in the water. Colloidal silver is a sub-form of the possible liquid dispersions that can arise when silver and water are combined. Colloidal silver belongs to the group of liquid dispersions with silver and water, which are called "colloidally dispersed". This group is characterized by the fact that the individual particles are between one nanometer and one micrometer in size. There is also the "molecularly dispersed" group, where the particles are smaller than one nanometer. There is also the third group, "coarsely dispersed", which is present when the particles are larger than one micrometer. The fine, but not too small particle size of colloidal silver can be achieved by ensuring that positively charged silver ions dissolve in the distilled water. This particle size is considered ideal for causing the positive reactions in the human organism that are attributed to colloidal silver. This is especially true for the antimicrobial effect, which is a common reason for using this special form of silver. Recognizing Colloidal Silver Even if the individual silver particles cannot be seen as such with the naked eye, it is possible to judge colloidal silver based on its optical properties. Since the particles are very fine, the difference to conventional water can only be recognized based on certain properties. If the concentration of silver ions is particularly high, the silver water can take on a yellowish color. It can also have a slightly metallic taste. This is only slightly noticeable and not always present. If the colloidal silver smells and tastes like conventional water, this is not an indication of poor quality. The Use of Silver in Medical History In order to assess the effectiveness of colloidal silver, it is useful to consider the history of its use. Silver in Ancient Medicine Silver has been used in medicine for thousands of years. Its use can be traced back to ancient times. Its positive effect on the organism was used by the general public, but also specifically by doctors. Fine silver leaf was used in particular, which became part of bandages. Here it served to prevent wounds from becoming infected. It was also supposed to promote wound healing. Silver powder was also used in Egypt. The powder was applied to wounds or - dissolved in water - taken. As traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is becoming increasingly important for modern people, it is also worth taking a look at the use of silver in this field. It is particularly noteworthy that acupuncture needles were and are made of silver in order to exploit the antimicrobial effect of the precious metal. It is also interesting to look at the use of silver in Ayurveda. In addition to its use against inflammation and infections, it is also used in the fight against liver diseases and premature aging. The Use of Silver in the Middle Ages Paracelsus, a well-known doctor and philosopher of the Middle Ages, used draining baths to which silver amalgam was added. These were intended to remove mercury from the patient's body. He used ointments containing silver to treat skin problems and hemorrhoids. Konrad von Megenberg, a polymath and canon of Regensburg, also recommended silver as an ingredient in ointments. The polymath and abbess Hildegard von Bingen also used silver in other forms. She used silver in wine - for coughs, for example. The healing properties attributed to silver were one reason why the nobility used it as silver cutlery and silver tableware. Silver in modern medicine - its use as colloidal silver The use of colloidal silver can be traced back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, when it played an important role in medicine. It was gradually replaced by modern medicines - especially antibiotics. Its effectiveness against infections was thus forgotten.