Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Poison Control Center reports no toxicity listing for colloidal silver. These reports seem to reflect that it is considering it harmless in any concentration. Other studies and information also show that colloidal silver is safe, and when taken as directed colloidal silver has no negative side effects.

A colloid is a collection of ultra-fine particles that do not dissolve but remain suspended in a solution. Blue Ridge Silver ultra-fine silver particles are so small they do not reflect natural light.  That's why our products are clear in appearance. The silver particles generally fall within the range of 0.0005 - 0.015 microns in diameter. These particles are electrically charged and so tiny that they remain suspended in water.

Blue Ridge Silver produces colloidal silver slowly in small batches using generators that utilize an electrolysis process that causes extremely fine silver nano-particles to be suspended in distilled water.  This method replaces the need for any chemicals, stabilizers or proteins which have been shown to reduce product effectiveness, and the resulting product contains pure ionic colloids of silver.

Which is Better:  Ionic or Particulate Colloidal Silver?

According to an article written by Steve Barwick of The Silver Edge who is a health journalist entitled, "Ionic Versus Particulate Colloidal Silver: the Great Debate," ionic colloidal silver is better.  Here's an excerpt of Mr. Barwick's article:
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"Actually, ionic colloidal silver solutions are not in the least bit inferior to particulate colloidal silver solutions. Unfortunately, the myth that the particulate form of colloidal silver is somehow superior to the ionic form has been perpetrated by some individuals on the internet who have a financial self-interest in selling an overly-expensive bottled commercial particulate-based colloidal silver product.

The reality is that the ionic form of colloidal silver is the form used in hundreds of clinical studies carried out since the early 1900's. Even Dr. Robert O. Becker's ground-breaking research into the effectiveness of electrically generated silver ions, conducted at Syracuse Medical University during the 1970's and 1980's, attributed the astonishing [benefits] of silver to the silver ion, i.e., the ionic form.

What's more, Dr. Becker used a small electrical device that generated very low micro-amps of current in order to produce his silver ions within the human body -- a device very much like the tiny colloidal silver generators used today which also exclusively make the ionic form of colloidal silver ingested by millions of people across North America..." 

Yes; particle size is a highly critical factor. Much of the effectiveness of any colloidal silver solution depends on the actual size and uniformity of silver particles.  Large particles are much less effective in boosting immunity support. According to many researchers, the preferred particle size for optimum results and safety of use should be from 0.0005 - 0.015 micron or 0.5 - 1.5 nanometers in diameter. (one micron = one millionth of a meter). Blue Ridge Silver products particle sizes are well within this range. 

An excellent indicator of the quality and particle size of Colloidal Silver is the color.  As the size of each silver particle gets larger, the color of the solution changes from clear, to yellow, to amber, to brown or dark red or grey, to black.  As particle size increases the silver particles reflect a broader range of light within the spectrum.  Colloids of silver that are produced using the best electrolysis methods are lighter in color than the grind or chemically produced colloids, except in the case of some products that contain artificial food coloring to change the color. The ideal color of Colloidal Silver is clear to very pale yellow/amber.

One way to verify the presence of silver is to pour some of the colloidal silver in a white cup or bowl, store it in a dry place, allow time for all the water to completely evaporate, and see the gray silver dust remaining on the bottom of the container. 

Another way is to shine a laser light through the colloidal silver.  The light from the laser beam will reflect off the silver particles.  The higher the concentration of silver, the brighter the light appears.

Many studies indicate that in the range of 1 - 50 ppm (parts per million or mg/l), colloidal silver is highly useful to boost the immune system.  Studies also show that depending upon the method of production usually as the silver ppm increases the particle size typically increases as well. Therefore, low concentrations of colloidal silver typically contain the smallest silver particles which are typically more effective.  

We consume silver and many other minerals through the food we eat. So how does silver get into food? In plants silver along with many other minerals are absorbed and transferred into fruits and vegetables through organic soil where living organisms consume and break down the nutrients in the soil into sub-microscopic particles that are absorbed along with water in a colloidal state through the roots of the plant. 

Then of course, by consuming those fruits and vegetables, the colloidal minerals are then transferred through the blood stream to the various tissues of our body.  Hence, we consume silver in a tiny amounts from plants.  We also obtain silver through the consumption of free range meats and wild caught fish.  In fact, studies show that wild oysters and many sea weeds are very rich in silver.  

Some researchers suggest that the produce from smaller farms that employ organic and sustainable practices is more rich in minerals like silver because the farms are surrounded by large trees whose roots go deep and absorb many minerals that transfer into the leaves that fall each year and decompose over the winter depositing those minerals into the topsoil for crop enrichment. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency publishes a reference dose (Rfd) for silver which is an estimate of daily exposure to the entire population that is unlikely to be associated with a  significant risk of adverse effects over a lifetime. The current Rfd for oral silver exposure is 5  micrograms/kg/day with a critical dose estimated at 14  micrograms/kg/day.  Based on this Rfd, a 150 pound  adult can safely and regularly consume approximately 350 micrograms/day or 70 ml (2.4 ounces) of 5 ppm colloidal silver per day or 950 micrograms or 196 ml (6.7 ounces) of 5 ppm colloidal silver per day for short periods of time.

Therefore, many people take up to 2.4 ounces of 5 ppm colloidal silver each day for daily immune system maintenance and larger amounts for short periods of time when their immune system is compromised. Just remember to drink plenty of water especially during the first week because usually large numbers of pathogens are rapidly exterminated within the body and the excretory systems work tirelessly to flush out the dead germs.  

Aside from the Herxheimer effect (described below), there are no recorded side effects in medical literature from the use of ionic colloidal silver unless the person is allergic to silver. Additionally there has never been a recorded case of a drug interaction. It is non-addicting, the body does not build up a tolerance to it, most is flushed out of a body within the first few days of consumption, and studies show that ionic colloidal silver is not deposited under the skin like silver salts and other silver compounds that have been shown to cause the greyish/blue skin condition called Argyria when taken in large doses over long periods of time.

Since colloidal silver kills germs, a detoxifying reaction can occur which is called the Herxheimer effect.  This is a temporary flu-like condition resulting from the overloading of the body's excretory systems caused by the massive die-off of pathogens. Therefore, if you begin to feel run down after first taking or increasing your consumption of colloidal silver, then reduce your intake for a few days and drink more water to aid in the body's detoxification process. 

We cannot over stress the importance of consulting a licensed medical practitioner if you have serious concerns.

Prior to the discovery of electricity in the late 1800's people who could afford to eat using true silverware and store or drink beverages in silver containers often unknowingly enjoyed many of the healthy benefits of silver.   

With the discovery of Penicillin and other less expensive anti-biotics in the 1930's and 40's, the use of colloidal silver diminished.  Recent breakthroughs in technology and manufacturing that have occurred within the past 40 years have brought the price down so that colloidal silver in now very affordable.

Numerous articles in medical journals of colloidal silver can be found dating before 1940. New articles and clinical trial results are appearing frequently as more people rediscover this safe and effective silver mineral solution.

Of course, many pharmaceutical companies work diligently to prevent people from learning about the many benefits of drinking colloidal silver in order to the protect their profits. 

For thousands of years.  Silver is mentioned in the Bible. Royalty stored water in silver vessels in the belief that this water would help them maintain their health. Before refrigeration was invented, a silver dollar was placed in containers of milk to maintain freshness. Silver was used by the wealthy to help maintain good health before the advent of penicillin in 1938.  

Colloidal Silver can be given alongside other products recommended by your vet to help maintain health and vitality in your pets. Colloidal Silver has shown dramatic results in the case of very young animals such as foals and calves scouring. Given with a syringe by mouth twice daily it has the most beneficial effect.

Cats with absesses may be treated both internally and externally with good results. It has been observed that many animals gain weight and energy following a course of colloidal silver suggesting that their general wellbeing is enhanced.

For larger animals such as horses, symptoms such as coughs and colds, hoof absesses and eye infections respond best by administration of a high dosage for 5 days followed by the daily recommended allowance.

Remember to seek the advice of a registered veterinarian whenever you have questions about your animal's health.