Silver has been used for treating diseases for almost as long as human civilization has existed.
In the early 20th century, it was manufactured as a colloid and widely sold as a powerful antibiotic.
Modern manufacturing techniques allow producers to create colloidal silver products that are extremely safe and have all the believed benefits of silver.
One of the most popular colloidal silver uses is as an immune system supplement.
Instead of replacing a function of the immune system like antibiotics are designed to do, this is designed to support the immune system.
It can do this by killing harmful bacteria and inhibiting its growth.
This allows the immune system to clear the infection from the body much faster.
One of the most commonly reported colloidal silver benefits is its ability to fight bacterial infections.
In fact, various studies have shown that it is effective in killing over 650 micro-organisms.
It is believed to be effective in fighting bacteria because it disrupts an enzyme that harmful bacteria need to breathe.
Silver atoms also adhere to the DNA of harmful bacteria, which prevents it from uncoiling and therefore prevents it from multiplying.
Patients have reported using it to effectively fight bacteria-caused diseases as varied as cellulitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, bladder infection, and more.
What is extraordinary about these cases is that there are no reported side effects and no drug interactions.
Many who have used it have also claimed it has greatly helped fight viral infections as well.
This is particularly exciting, as modern medicine has yet to develop a safe, effective way to fight viral infection.
Treating serious diseases that have a viral pathogen, such as Hepatitis C, is very costly can take up to a year of treatment, with varying success rates.
Treating not-so-serious, but nonetheless disabling or painful virus caused conditions like bronchitis often simply involve prescribing medicines that relieve the patient of any discomfort and allowing the immune system to work out infection on its own.
Some users of colloidal silver testify that the natural supplement can give a two pronged attack to fungal infections.
Firstly, it removes any bacteria that might be hindering the immune system, thus making your body better equipped to fight the infection.
Secondly, it attacks the fungus that causes the infection.
If these reports are true, it could be effective against infections like athlete's foot and candidiasis (yeast infection.
) Colloidal silver can also be used externally.
Many people have reported success in fighting acne by applying directly to their skin.
Others have claimed that applying the liquid to the sponge part of a bandage will help the wound heal faster.
In fact, hospitals have used silver infused bandages for years, and recently a large and respected medical supply company released a line of silver infused bandages to sell over the counter.
Silver fell out of favor as a natural remedy in the thirties as powerful drug companies manufacturing and marketing antibiotics.
With hospitals commonly using silver bandages, silver water filters, and using silver based products to treat burns, there shows signs it is slowly gaining more mainstream acceptance.
Time will tell whether or not more uses for this powerful colloid will be discovered in the coming years.