What do We Know About Colloidal Silver?
In every Bulletin of the Association I will give some in depth
information about one of the herbs or supplements recommended by
Dr. Clark. This article was taken (shortened and altered) from the
Dr. Clark Newsletter for practitioners, 'Finding the Way', by
courtesy of the editor, Clinical Nutritionist and practitioner
Christine Doyle, PO Box 33, Carmarthen SA33 6YE, UK, Tel/Fax
+44-1994-484 682.
The 1994 issue of "Newsweek" featured a six page article,
"Antibiotics, The End of Miracle Drugs?" as the cover story.
"The rise of drug-resistant germs is unparalleled in recorded
history", according to the article. "Penicillin and tetracycline
lost their power over staph back in the 1950's and 60's. Another
antibiotic, methicillin, provided a backup for a while, but
methicillin-resistant staph is now common in hospitals and nursing
homes worldwide. Trying to cripple bacteria's defenses will not do
much more than buy us five to ten years. A better strategy might be
to abandon antibiotics altogether in favor of different kinds of
drugs." Not a very pretty picture: bacteria have a tremendous
ability to adapt to substances, they can and do mutate to overcome
antibiotics. When the antibiotics destroy the bacteria which are
susceptible to them, they can clear the way for resistant bacteria
to move in uninhibited.
Still another problem that has plagued the medical profession from
the beginning with modern antibiotics has been that beneficial
bacteria and organisms play various important, natural functions
in the body. Antibiotics often play havoc with some of thee friendly
organisms, producing long lasting side effects that may be difficult
to correct.
One reason that the antibiotics have been so popular in the medical
field is due to the fact that they can be patented. Therefore, the
pharmaceutical companies find it financially worthwhile to keep the
doctors educated in their medicines, while other products go
unnoticed. Silver, on the other hand, is not patentable and there
are no huge profits in it, so it is not worth heavy promotion. The
high-priced products run over the low cost products, simply because
profitable.
All of this is happening at the same time that disease bacteria are
developing immunity to antibiotics all over the world. The medical
profession is alarmed.
Science Digest suggested an answer to all of these catastrophic
problems back in March of 1978 in an article titled "Our Mightiest
Germ Fighter". This article by Jim Powell stated: "Thanks to
eye-opening research, silver is emerging as a wonder of modern
medicine. An antibiotic kills perhaps a half-dozen different
disease organisms, but silver kills some 650. Resistant strains
fail to develop. Moreover, silver is virtually non-toxic."
Silver has been known to be a bactericide for at least 1200 years.
Even in ancient times, it was known to prevent disease and it was
said that disease could not be transmitted drinking from a silver
cup. Silver coins were commonly dropped into a jar to prevent the
spoilage of milk and other drink, and silver containers were used
to prolong the freshness of foods in general. Wealthy people used
to feed their babies with a silver spoon which was considered to be
a cause of strong healthy growth producing good stock. Even today,
some commonly call all tableware "silverware" although today it is
more commonly stainless steel. In the 1920's, 30's and 40's, silver was
ground very fine like flour, suspended in water and was used
orally for many infections and disease conditions, topically on
burns, and for fungal infections. Until almost 1970 it was common
for scientists to put a silver dime in a petri dish to sterilize
the dish. Silver was long used for plates for the surgical repair
of bones. After the development of the patented antibiotics, silver
was forgotten in the United States and most other places, although
the antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses,
yeast, or fungi. Now, with the greatly improved modern colloids,
the tables are turning and silver may be the most effective treatment
of all.
What exactly is Colloidal Silver (CS)? Simply put, colloids are
extremely minute-sized silver particles suspended in water, with a
positive electrical charge. The smaller the silver particles, the
more effective it has proven to be. The best Colloidal Silver is
produced at the molecular level. A small DC current is passed through
an electrolyte with silver electrodes. Minute, molecular sized
particles are drawn off the positive electrode, having a positive
electrical charge. This electrical charge is of primary importance
to healing and antibacterial qualities. The charge slowly dissipates,
and therefore the freshness of the colloid is important.
In "Colloidal Silver", a booklet produced by the Association for
Colloidal Research, it is reported that: "Medical Journal Reports
and documented studies spanning 100 years indicate no known side
effects from oral or IV administration of properly manufactured
Colloidal Silver in animal or human testing. There has never been a reported
reaction with Colloidal Silver to any prescription
medication."
The evidence appears to support the theory that Colloidal Silver is
highly effective against all strains of pathogenic bacteria, while
any one antibiotic is only effective against a few certain bacterial
strains. Furthermore, antibiotics have never been effective against
viruses, yeast or fungi. Yet, researchers are telling us that
Colloidal Silver has produced phenomenal results in tissue healing
and reconstruction as well as reducing scar tissue in clinical
tests. Severe cuts and wounds have healed in much less time.
Laboratory tests have shown CS to kill over 650 destructive bacteria,
viruses and fungi within minutes of contact.
UCLA ran some tests on Colloidal Silver and their report states:
"The silver solutions were antibacterial for Streptococcus pyogenes,
Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhea, Gardnerella Vaginalis,
Salmonella Typhi, and other enteric pathogens, fungicidal for Candida
albicans, Candida globata, and M. furfur and it killed every virus
that was tested in the lab".
Other voices:
Dr. Hirschberg, John Hopkins: "...remarkable for their beneficial
action in infective states".
Dr. Henry Cooks: "I know of no microbe that is not killed in laboratory
tests within six minutes".
Dr. Gary Smith: "When silver was present the cancer cell was
de-differentiated and the body was restored".
Certain bacteria are essential to healthy body function. Several
researchers claim Colloidal Silver only attacks the unfriendly
pathogens and will not harm the friendly, but one must wonder how
it can possibly differentiate. The explanation is that the friendly
bacteria are aerobic, while unfriendly bacteria are anaerobic. Silver
does not attack bacteria directly, but rather decomposes certain
enzymes the anaerobic bacteria, viruses, yeast, and molds require.
The silver acts as a catalyst and is not consumed in the process. It
is probable that this indirect action is also the reason bacteria
cannot develop a resistance to silver, as they do to antibiotics.
Some researchers do tell us, however, that in prolonged, very heavy
doses, some silver compounds will leave gray deposits in the heavier
skin folds such as the knuckles. This condition is known as "Argyria".
The only problem to these deposits is said to be the cosmetic
appearance and the condition is said to be rare. Some experts say
this condition has never been known to occur from silver in the
colloidal state. Other experts do, however, warn that this might be
a problem with extremely high, prolonged dosages. The very small
particle size in the Colloidal Silver would seem to make this
possibility remote. Argyria is correctable with laser treatment, like a
tattoo.
Medical Uses
In the 1970's Dr. Carl Moyer, Chairman of Washington University's
Department of Surgery, received a grant to develop better treatments
for burn victims. Dr. Harry Margraf worked with Dr. Moyer and other
surgeons, a chief biochemist on this project. They tested 22
antiseptic compounds and rejected all of them. The problem was that
infections in burns often failed to respond to antibiotics. Most
antiseptics actually destroy the delicate healing tissues in severe
burns and were very painful. The greatest problem was the bacterium
Pseudomonas acruginose, which is particularly infectious to burns and
fails to respond to all common antibiotics.
In his research into medical history, Dr. Margraf found numerous
references to silver as an antimicrobial agent. Dr. Margraf therefore
tried silver nitrate, the same solution used in newborn babies' eyes
at birth. It worked! However, he found it disturbed the balance of
body salts, stained everything it touched and in high concentrations
was corrosive and painful. After further study he found that all of
these problems were solved by Colloidal Silver. With Colloidal
Silver as the base, he then developed a salve that has been extremely
effective in treating the infections and healing in serious burns.
Colloidal Silver is now routinely used for severe burn victims,
resulting in a large reduction of scarring and a heavy reduction of
deaths for extensive severe burns.
The article in Science Digest, March, 1978, relates: "A speeding car
overturned and burst into flames. The 18-year-old driver suffered
burns all over his face, neck, arms, hands, back, stomach, and legs,
burns covered more than 80 percent of his body. Until recently, this
would have been a death sentence. Doctors knew how to restore vital
body fluids and salts, but had no way to fight infection, the primary
cause of death in burn cases. Fortunately, for this youth, a new
silver compound killed deadly bacteria and enabled him to deal. He
was out of the hospital within four months."
Another line of research that has led to this change of thinking is
described in the best seller: "The Body Electric", in which Robert
O. Becker, leading research scientist in the field of bone
regeneration, states: "The germ killing action of silver has been known for
some time. The Soviets use silver ions to sterilize
recycled water aboard their space stations. It kills even
antibiotic-resistant strains, and also works on fungus infections."
He goes on to say: "It stimulates bone-forming cells, cures the most common
stubborn infections of all kinds of bacteria, and stimulates
healing in the skin and other soft tissues."
Certainly that is a broad statement! But Dr. Becker further relates
a fascinating story which would seem to substantiate his belief. A
man's broken right tibia and fibula refused to bond and the skin
refused to heal over a large area of the leg for a year an a half.
The leg was infected with five kinds of bacteria, all of which
refused to respond to antibiotics. As a last resort before amputation,
Dr. Becker treated the condition with silver charged with a very
minute electrical current. This produced silver ions in the bone
area and at the surface area. "I debrided (cleaned) the wound, removing the
dead tissue and all grossly infected or dead bone. There
wasn't much left afterward. It was an enormous excavation running
almost from his knee to his ankle. In the operating room, we soaked
a big piece of silver nylon in saline solution and laid it over the
wound. We packed the fabric in place with saline-soaked gauze, wrapped the
leg, and connected the battery unit."
"About two weeks later", Dr. Becker tells us, "all of our bacterial
cultures were sterile -- all five kinds had been killed. The soft
healing tissue, called granulation tissue, was spreading out and
covering the bone. In two weeks the whole base of the wound, which
had been over eight square inches of raw bone, was covered with
this friendly pink carpet. The skin was beginning to grow in, too,
so we could forget about the grafts we thought we'd need to do. I
decided to take an X-ray to see how much bone he'd lost." He was
expecting the bone to start withdrawing before the knitting process
began. "I could hardly believe the picture. There was clearly some bone
growth! I removed the cast, felt the leg, and found that the
pieces were all stuck together. John watched, and when I was done,
he lifted his leg into the air triumphantly."
After extensive experiments along these lines, Dr. Becker concluded:
"Cells exposed to positive silver ions profoundly stimulate healing
in a way unlike any known natural process. Whatever its precise mode
of action may be, the electrically generated silver ion can produce
enough cells for blastomas; it has restored my belief that full regeneration
of limbs and other body parts can be accomplished in
humans."
Dr. Becker's experiments seem to show that Colloidal Silver not only
kills the pathogens, but also produces dramatic healing of tissue
such as his statement of the skin growth on the leg quoted above.
The silver ion causes some cells with no differentiation. These cells
can turn into any cell that is needed. Only these de-differentiated
cells can be used to create the cells necessary to replace destroyed cells
such as in a wound or rebuild missing tissue. It seems to be
for this reasoning that Colloidal Silver heals injuries without
scarring, or at last greatly reduces scarring, while greatly
accelerating the reconstruction or general healing of wounds. Scar
tissue develops when de-differentiated cells are in short supply.
Therefore it would seem, from the evidence at hand, that CS could
reduce or prevent internal scarring and promote internal healing
after surgery.
Other medical uses:
In "Report: Colloidal Silver, Health Consciousness, Vol. 15, No.
4", it is stated "Silver aids the developing fetus in growth,
health, and eases the delivery and recovery."
German hospitals routinely use it in new-born infants' eyes to
prevent 'infection caused' blindness.
Silver seems to be even more promising against AIDS, and there
seems to be no doubt that silver supports the T-cells in their fight
against foreign organisms in the blood. It virtually forms a second
immune system, actually protecting and defending T-cells. It is
strongly suggested by research scientists such as Dr. Gary Smith
and others that silver ions ate essential to the immune system.
Marvin Robey, has personally used a strong dose of Colloidal
Silver (4 oz. of 500 parts per million) for a 'cold' in its early
stages. It provided relief in two hours and cured the cold
completely in about 24 hours. Others say that it quickly cures their
colds in more advanced stages.
Indications
Use is indicated for: pneumonia, ear infections, colds, sore throat,
flu, allergies, hay fever, diabetes, hepatitis, chronic fatigue,
ulcers, bladder infections, arthritis, Lyme disease, hemorrhoids,
swollen prostate, yeast infections, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, acne,
blepharitis, cystitis, dermatitis, dandruff, dysentery,
Eustachian tubes, fibrositis, herpes, impetigo, leprosy, lymphagitis,
Menier's, neurasthenia, parvo virus, pleurisy, pruitis, rheumatism,
seborrhea, sepsis, skin cancer, staph infections, tonsillitis, typhoid,
ulcers, whooping cough, arthritis, tuberculosis, colitis,
diphtheria, eczema, furuncolosis, lupus, keratitis, malaria,
psoriasis and skin rashes, meningitis, ophthalmology, quinsy,
ringworm, to neutralize tooth decay, moles, halitosis, scarletina,
shingles, strep infections, toxemia, trench foot, warts,
conjunctivitis, rosacea, shingles, gastritis and as a digestive
aid. In dental hygiene it can be used for Pyorrhea, receding gums,
gingivitis, bleeding gums, canker sores and bad breath.
Physiological information about CS
The body's ability to process the tiny atoms of Colloidal Silver
makes silver build-up in the body impossible. The Environmental
Protection Agency's Poison Control Center reports a 'no toxicity'
listing for CS. If particles are small enough you can even drink
arsenic! Examining a bottle of colloidal minerals from a local
health store you may notice nickel, arsenic and lead among the
trace minerals on the ingredients list.
CS is the only form of silver that can be used safely as a
supplement. It is absorbed into the tissues at a slow enough rate
that is not irritating to tissues, unlike silver nitrate which reacts
violently with tissues because of its caustic action.
The body has a vital need for silver -- to maintain the Colloidal
Silver and to produce new healthy cells and since our blood is also
a colloid, the harmonious way the colloids enter the body may wall
make Colloidal Silver the safest medicine on earth.
Dr. Robert O. Becker, MD, says that a deficiency of silver in the
diet contributes to disease. In fact he found that those with low
levels of silver in their body had frequent colds, flu, and
sicknesses. He feels that a silver deficiency can be the cause of improper
functioning of the immune system.
"Used in the space shuttle"
When will we see silver in our everyday life for non-medical use? It
seems it is already more prominent in our lives than most people
realize. In Health Consciousness, Vol. 15, No. 4, Pg. 5 we read:
"In the former Soviet Union, silver is used to sterilize recycled
water aboard space shuttles. NASA has also selected a silver/water
system for its space shuttle. Internationally, many airlines use
silver water filters to guarantee passenger safety against
water-borne diseases such as dysentery. The Swiss government has
approved use of such silver water filters in homes and offices. In
the U.S some city municipalities use silver in the treatment of
sewage. Silver works so well in purifying water that it is sometimes
used to purify swimming pool water. It didn't sting the eyes as
chlorine does, and it does kill mosquito larva. An experiment
conducted in Nebraska demonstrates its effectiveness: fifty gallons
of raw sewage were pumped into a pool without any disinfectant. A
standard measure of contamination is the count of E. coli, a bacteria
organism found in the intestinal tract. The count soared to 7000 E.
coli cells per milliliter of water. When the water was exposed to
silver electrodes, within three hours it was completely free of E. coli."
How you can use Colloidal Silver
Add to drinking water when on holiday of camping, sterilize anything
from tooth brushes to surgical instruments, spray on garbage to
prevent decay odors, on dish cloths, cutting boards, add when canning,
preserving or bottling, spray in shoes, between toes, add to bath
water, gargle, douche, colon irrigation nasal sprays, drop onto
bandages and plasters to hasten healing time soak dentures, spray
refrigerator, freezer, food storage containers, stops mildew, mold,
wood rot, fungi. Use to spray pets bedding, use in cleaning and
mopping solutions. Spray onto the top of open jam jars etc., spray
food lids before closing. Spray air ducts, use in the final washing rinse,
in dishwashers. Spray around plant roots to stop tot, spray
foliage, inside gloves and under fingernails, rinse fruit and
vegetables, use in shampoos and rinsing water, spry pets, carpets,
wipe telephone mouthpieces, headphones, hearing aids, spray
mattresses and allow to dry to kill dust mites, clean combs and
glasses with it. Excellent for diaper rash and to spray inside
diapers. Clean toilet seats with it, floors, underwear, pillowcases,
etc., etc.
Swishing the solution briefly under the tongue before swallowing
ensures faster absorption. In several days CS will have accumulated
in the tissues sufficiently for benefits to begin, it is eliminated
via the kidneys, lymph and bowel within three weeks.
Small gentle doses are recommended as when pathogens are killed off
too quickly the body's elimination channels can be temporarily
overloaded. This will cause 'die off' or 'detox' symptoms such as
headache, dizziness, extreme fatigue, nausea and aching muscles.
Regular bowel movements must be maintained during this time.
CS is painless on cuts and abrasions, in open wounds in the nostrils
for sinus stuffy nose and even in babies eyes, because unlike
antiseptics it does not destroy tissue cells. Inside the body silver
forms no toxic features. It cannot react or interfere with any other
medication being taken.
Dr. Hulda Clark feels that sufficient is ingested from cleaning the
teeth with CS, with perhaps more ingested in certain conditions.
Other doctors suggest one or two teaspoons daily. There is no limit
for external use. Clearly one would only take internally when
necessary and not without good cause.
In general, modern Colloidal Silver is of much better quality than
it was in the 1930's and 40's due to modern knowledge of how to
produce it. Still better news is that you can produce the Colloidal
Silver of the finest quality yourself for pennies a bottle. This way,
you know it is fresh and you have a better idea of the concentration
and quality.
When current is applied to silver in solution the particles that
break off will always be the same size: 1.26 angstroms (.000126
microns). This is so small that its nearest rival is an atom.
Very simple, inexpensive, easily used and maintainable equipment is now
available by several manufacturers to make your own Colloidal
Silver of the finest quality, absolutely fresh.
To purchase ready made CS is highly expensive, not to mention P&P.
To make it for yourself via a little machine costs only cents.
Important: Dr. Clark's comments regarding CS: "The purity of the
silver is an important issue. The manufacturer of the silver should
divulge this. Use only 99.99% pure silver. (Another 9, indicating
greater purity, is even better.) Don't buy it if they don't reveal
its silver-purity."
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