On the recommendation of my holistic pediatrician, I first used colloidal silver to get rid of a lingering cough that was pestering my son. The fact that it worked – when my usual arsenal of herbs did not – drove me research colloidal silver uses and its safety, which you can read about here.
Quick safety tips for colloidal silver
When using colloidal silver, keep these precautions in mind:
The smaller the silver particles, the better. When silver particles are too large, they end up accumulating in your tissue. The result? Permanent bluish skin, a condition called argyria. Cosmetic insult aside, argyria is harmless.
Colloidal silver kills bacteria. The bad…and possibly the good too. Truth be told, I haven’t been able to find definitive evidence that colloidal silver spares or slays good bacteria. But to be on the safe side, make sure you eat probiotic-rich fermented foods. This includes yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles. Also take a probiotic when using colloidal silver. I like this one.
Not all colloidal silver products are equal. For starters, avoid ionic silver because it’s less effective. You also want to avoid silver protein products because of the potential for argyria. A silver protein product will foam up when shaken, and the foam will stick around for several minutes.
Shop for true colloidal silver. If you’re unsure about which one to go with, in my home we use this one.
Nine smart colloidal silver uses
#1 – When getting sick is NOT an option
I know — like getting sick is ever an option, right? But when coming down with fever or the sniffles would be really inconvenient, consider giving your immune system a helping hand with colloidal silver. Just follow the product’s directions for non-acute use, which means drinking a very small amount of the solution each day.
#2 – To kick stubborn infections
Whether it’s a lingering cough or a low-grade sinus infection, colloidal silver can give your immune system that final surge it needs to put rogue microbes in check. In this case, follow the product’s directions for a more acute dosage over a limited period of time.
#3 – On cuts
You can get topical gel versions of colloidal silver that are very useful for keeping cuts, scrapes, and other minor wounds from becoming infected. To use, rub a little bit of the ointment onto the wound like you would with an antibiotic cream and then cover with a Band-Aid.
#4 – Nasal rinse
Ever seen the little tea kettle-like contraption that folks use to clean out their nose? That’s called a neti pot. And if you use a neti pot – or have been meaning to try it – adding colloidal silver to your neti pot solution can help with chronic sinus problems. You can also buy vertical spray bottles of colloidal silver to squirt directly up into your nasal passages.
#5 – For yeast infections
Get rid of the itching, burning, and discharge associated with yeast infections. To use, create a wash by mixing one tablespoon of colloidal silver with water and apply it the same way you would use a douche product. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it works – most people report nearly instantaneous results.
#6 – Topical acne treatment
Using either the liquid or gel version of colloidal silver, rub it directly on acne-infected areas. Alternatively, spot treat acne by dabbing it on the affected area after cleansing. Note that to get to the root of acne, its essential that you address gut health.
#7 – Eye infections
You can use an eyedropper to put colloidal silver directly into your eyes. Folks have reported great results for treating pinkeye and other infections this way. Put a few drops in each eye several times a day until infection subsides.
#8 – When traveling
When traveling by air, safeguard against infection by using a spray bottle of colloidal silver. To use, spray your hands, face, and into your mouth. Do this every couple of hours while flying.
#9 – For your furry friends
Maybe it’s a gunky eye or a festering wound. Maybe it’s old age and dental problems. Chances are good that some point, your pal will require some sort of infection-busting assistance. Colloidal silver works on your pets just as well as it works on you.
I used it as a cleanse to get rid of group b strep.
I’ve been trying to find information on this! In what way and how often did you use colloidal silver to get rid of your group b strep? I’m due in 10 days.
Hi! Can I give it to my one year old for a bad cold? If yes how much?
Hey Julie,
Under the age of three, your baby’s gut microbes are still taking shape. This window of time is pretty important when it comes to health later on. Because colloidal silver is such a strong anti-microbial, I don’t recommend giving it to babies.
Hope this helps! All the best,
Emily xoxo
Which colloidal silver gel would you recommend? Don’t want to get a cheap-o one…
Hey Angela!
When we need it, my family and I use this one: http://holisticsquid.com/go/BioTechLabsSilverGel
Emily xoxo
I’ve used the gel for minor burns and it is fantastic! After a couple of applications, the pain is gone.
If it doesn’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria, is it really a good idea to use for yeast infections? I feel like it would wipe out the flora and lead to BV.
Hey Ginger,
Microbes are pretty resilient and CS isn’t as deadly as an antibiotic. That said, I tend to favor an approach that incorporates diet and probiotic therapy for yeast infection.
All the best!
Emily xoxo
Would some sort of silver-based salve be appropriate for an outbreak of yeast (I believe) around one’s mouth? Never had this happen before, but it sort of started as chapped lips and then “ran wild” adding a widening ring of itchy red around the lips, extending up to the nose, with a little bit of cracking on the edges. =/ I’ve been addressing it with probiotics and caprylic acid internally and then tea tree ointment, calendula lotion, and a good lipbalm externally. I believe its worst is over as it seems to be calming down and looking less pronounced each day, but I would love to see it wrapped up already and be prepared in the future if I ever see this coming again! Any thoughts?
Hey Mary Kay,
It’s worth a try. CS is pretty effective and good for a spectrum of infectious problems. To control yeast overgrowth, you may also want to try limiting sugar with a program like Whole30…if you haven’t already. It can make a world of difference!
Emily xoxo
Hello! Informative article! Just bought some CS a couple weeks ago for my family to use if/when needed. Can this be used during pregnancy? If so, would dosage remain the same?
Hey Tanya,
It depends on what you’re using it for. CS is certainly a better option than antibiotics during pregnancy. However, I would exercise caution if using it internally…for example, for a yeast infection. Anything that disrupts the flora of the vaginal tract will affect your pregnancy. In that case, I would lean more towards probiotic therapy.
All the best!
Emily xoxo
This shows that colloidal silver does not kill good bacteria.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5023147/
Hey Karen,
Thanks for this! This study was published after I wrote the blog and it’s always great to get little updates. All the best!
Emily xoxo
Hi! Appreciate this post thread on colloidal silver. I was new to CS use until a couple of years ago. Since discovering it, I’ve used the gel (same excellent brand as sited here) many times for calming bugs bites of all types and for skin irritations of any sort . Slipping while weed eating on our acreage resulted in a wrist fracture, needing casting for about 6 weeks. As soon as I got cast off, the colloidal silver was tremendously soothing, helping to calm and heal the sore areas.
When using as a yeast infection treatment, how much water should be mixed with the CS? Also, should one use distilled, purified, or pH-balanced water?
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