Q: My wife has become very interested in colloidal silver. She makes her own and spends a great deal of time on the various websites and "chat rooms" dedicated to colloidal silver.

If you believe what the people report (not just the people trying to sell it), it would appear it is a heal all, from colds to cancer. Being a sceptic, I looked through my newsletters to see what the alternative medical field had to say. I could only find one reference and that was negative. That doctor said it was totally ineffective and too much could actually turn your skin blue.

No one who hypes it seems to offer an explanation as to why it works. Do you have experience with colloidal silver? What is your opinion?

Dr. Wright: The use of silver as a water-disinfecting agent actually dates back thousands of years. In Roman times, silver coins were used to slow fermentation of liquids. Silver filters were also in use, and are in use today to disinfect water.

Colloidal silver was used by many “regular” medical doctors in the early part of the 20th century. Prior to the introduction of sulphonamides and antibiotics in the years before and after 1940, there was actually little else that had much effect in killing micro-organisms. I have read articles from that era describing the intravenous use of colloidal silver as a lifesaving measure in cases of severe infection. Silver is said to "poison" an enzyme that is unique to many micro-organisms and not shared by humans and animals.

It's true that overuse of silver has caused a documented skin condition termed "argyria," in which the skin turns bluish-gray. Some authors have blamed this condition on the overuse of much higher dose, non-"colloidal" silver. ("Colloidal" silver contains exceptionally tiny particles of silver, thought to be more effective at lower doses than the noncolloidal form.)

I've worked with colloidal silver since the 1980s. Because of the early-century cases of argyria, I've recommended that its use be limited to combating episodes of acute infection and that it not be used continuously. Employed this way, it's definitely been helpful for many Tahoma Clinic clients in clearing up infections. And members of my own family have had the same experience.

I usually recommend (for adults) 1 tablespoon of colloidal silver at a 40ppm (parts per million) concentration at the first signs of any infection and 1-2 teaspoons three to four times daily until the infection is gone. Then stop! Children's quantities should, of course, be less and related to body weight. (For very small children, it's always best to consult with a physician skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional and natural medicine.) No one who's used colloidal silver in this manner has reported any sign of bluish-gray skin.