What Is Silver Hydrosol?

Silver is a metallic element that has several antibiotic properties. Silver hydrosol, also known as colloidal silver, is silver particles suspended in a liquid. Silver hydrosol has many purported medical uses, and you can purchase this form of silver as a health supplement. However, you should always speak with a medical professional prior to consuming any health supplement, including silver hydrosol.

Supplement pills from a bottle. (Image: Thanmano/iStock/Getty Images)

Boosting the Immune System and Treating Illnesses

According to "Colloidal Silver: Antibiotic Superhero," silver hydrosol can boost your immune system by helping your body fight bacteria, fungi and viruses. Additionally, you can use silver hydrosol to treat sore throats, pink eye and the common cold. However, while anecdotal evidence may support the use of silver hydrosol to treat these medical conditions, further clinical studies are required to confirm the medical benefits of silver hydrosol.

Antimicrobial Function of Silver

According to "Colloidal Silver Today: The All Natural, Wide-Spectrum Germ Killer," silver hydrosol also has antimicrobial benefits, and you can use these supplements as ointments on minor burns and minor skin wounds. As an external ointment, the main purpose of using silver hydrosol is to limit infections, not to cure already existing infections.

Cancer, Diabetes and HIV

According to "Colloidal Silver Medical Uses, Toxicology and Manufacture," silver hydrosol may also offer benefits in treating certain types of cancers, diabetes and the human immunodeficiency virus. The exact mechanism by which silver hydrosol helps your body fight these disorders is not known, and further clinical research is required to confirm the benefits of using silver hydrosol in the treatment of these medical conditions. If you have any of tehse conditions, don't use silver hydrosol without your doctor's approval.

An Alternative Medicine

Manufacturers of silver hydrosol products typically recommend using this product as a health supplement to support your immune system. Some manufacturers even purport that you can use silver hydrosol instead of antibiotics to treat infections in your body. According to "Colloidal Silver: Antibiotic Superhero," you can also use this supplement to treat scarlet fever, syphilis and herpes. However, again scientific studies do not support the use of silver hydrosol to treat any specific medical condition, and you should speak with a medical professional prior to using this supplement.

Warnings

Side effects associated with the use of silver hydrosol include flu-like symptoms including chills, nausea and fever, skin irritation and possible kidney damage over time. The most common side effect associated with silver hydrosol is argyria, or mild silver poisoning. Symptoms of argyria include discoloration of your skin, fingers, nails and internal organs. While not life threatening, in most cases you can not reverse the discoloration associated with argyria. There are no known interactions between silver hydrosol and other drugs. You should also speak with a medical professional prior to taking any silver hydrosol supplement.