Colloidal silver
Silver particles suspended in liquid
Supplements. Modern nutrition.
Also called Silver hydrosol, Silver water, Colloidal silver protein
Can turn skin permanently blue-grayA liquid with tiny silver particles, sold as a germ killer and immune booster, with no proven benefit.
Did you know? Silver has no known role in human health, yet silver nitrate drops were once put into newborns' eyes to prevent infection.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Infections. Sold as a germ killer. No good human evidence shows it treats infections, and it can cause harm.Not supported
- Colds, flu & immunity. Sold as an immune booster. No good human evidence supports this claim.Not supported
- Skin. Sold for acne and skin problems. No good evidence supports this. Silver dressings used in hospitals are a different product.Not supported
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Silver was used as an antiseptic in medicine in the 1800s and early 1900s. Colloidal silver was sold as a cure-all before modern antibiotics became common.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antimicrobial, Antiviral. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Taken by mouth as a liquid, sprayed in the nose, or applied to skin. No safe or effective dose has been established.
Topical and tincture.
Where to get it
Made by running electric current through silver wire in water, or by mixing silver salts into a solution. Sold as liquid, spray and gel. Silver levels and quality vary a lot between products.
Be careful
The main harm is argyria, a permanent blue-gray skin color that can spread over time. Other reported harms include kidney damage and seizures from large amounts. Silver can also make some antibiotics work less well. Children and pregnant women should avoid it.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12; kidney disease.
Mixing with other things
- Don't mixAntibiotics (doxycycline, Cipro and similar)
Silver can bind some antibiotics, such as quinolones and tetracyclines, and lower how well they work.
The honest take
No human need for silver has been shown, and good trials do not show that colloidal silver fights infections or boosts immunity. In 1999 the US FDA ruled that colloidal silver is not generally recognized as safe and effective for over-the-counter drug uses, though it is still sold as a supplement. Its best-known proven harm is permanent blue-gray skin discoloration, called argyria.