Silver

Using silver as a natural remedy for the Herpes Simplex Virus is a controversial and somewhat perplexing approach. Does it work? Many people say it does. Silver is touted to protect against and remedy conditions caused by viruses and bacteria. 

While researching COVID-19, I was privileged to have run across a video on Facebook presented by Dr. Gordon Pedersen (MyDoctorSuggests.com), which big pharma has since shut down. They also removed his book, The Silver Miracle, from Amazon. In the early 1900s, colloidal silver was a respected antibiotic. However, colloidal silver was placed on the back burner once Penicillin and Sulfa drugs arrived.

How Silver Works

In the past, when not everyone had a refrigerator, people would often place a silver coin in a jar of milk to prevent harmful bacteria, such as mold, from growing. After realizing the power of silver to prevent bacterial growth, colloidal silver (a solution of nanometer-sized silver particles in purified water) was developed to help prevent the spread of bacterial diseases. You make colloidal silver by running electrical currents through a silver wire in a water bath. Colloidal Silver became known as an agent that helped fight infections and speed wound healing. The first doctor to document silver's bactericidal properties was Dr. Carl Credé.

Silver boosts the immune system and fights off infections, including Scarlet Fever, pneumonia, and Syphilis. Multiple studies have revealed mixed results on the effects of colloidal silver against various strains of viruses and bacteria. Some say it also works against fungi. However, while it has been proven to inhibit viral and bacterial growth, its effectiveness against fungi remains unproven.

It's important to note that the studies that ruled out silver's effectiveness against fungi used only colloidal silver. Not all silvers work the same way. There is ionic silver, colloidal silver, hydrosol silver, and structured silver. Only this last one —structured silver, which is alkaline-based, not acid-based —works against all three.

So, how does silver help put herpes into remission? 

In a nutshell, silver works differently from antibiotics by inhibiting the herpes virus by depriving it of oxygen. It does this by turning off the enzymes the virus needs to survive, binding to the viral membrane, and suffocating it —how silver works against most viruses, such as colds and flu.

The drawbacks of colloidal silver are that it can harm both healthy and sick cells due to its acidic nature. When taking colloidal silver internally, it is recommended to take it with a prebiotic to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Because colloidal silver is acidic, it can disrupt your body's pH balance. Furthermore, the use of certain types of silver can cause Argyria, a bluish discoloration of the skin, which is irreversible. The cause of Argyria is improper exposure to protein-based forms of silver. Silver may also boost melanin production in the skin.

Individuals living with HSV must maintain a neutral pH, as a low pH can lead to more frequent and severe outbreaks. Yes, silver can help suppress herpes and help keep it in remission. However, the lower pH will also negate some of the effectiveness. Additionally, because the cellular mechanisms underlying the body's interaction with colloidal silver are less well understood, this form of silver is less effective at achieving and maintaining herpes remission when taken internally. However, it can be helpful to use it topically on herpes lesions. It's entirely safe to use on and around the mouth, vagina, anus, and penis. It is also safe to use when swishing and spitting. There's no burning whatsoever. It's like using water. However, silver does nothing for the pain. I suggest dabbing it onto lesions after a shower, letting it dry, and then applying another natural topical remedy to help ease the pain.

Breaking Down the Types of Silver on the Market

Ionic silver solutions are the most popular products on store shelves because they are inexpensive to produce. However, an ionic silver solution isn't a genuine colloidal silver. Its silver particle content is low and doesn't offer the same medicinal benefits as genuine colloidal silver.

Colloidal silver home generators produce ionic silver solutions, but not authentic colloidal silver. Silver protein-based products contain gelatin. These products can be hazardous. Manufacturers bind silver particles to proteins to keep them in suspension. You may as well be buying snake oil. A tip-off is that they often foam and are yellow to black. Avoid these regardless of the silver particle concentration indicated on the label.

Genuine colloidal silver is hard to find, and production costs are high. If you Google it, you'll run across many sites detailing scientific processes (along with fourteen-letter words) that will make you want to throw your hands in the air and forget about ever using it.

The NCCIH states there are no advantages to taking colloidal Silver (NCCIH). But don't give up just yet. I've found an authority who explains it all. ​Also, colloidal silver has no negative interactions with medications, but if you are taking antibiotic drugs, check with your doctor before using any silver solution internally or otherwise.

Structured Silver: The One You Want!

Dr. Gordon Pederson created a safe, Structured Silver product that's even safe for animals (and it's ALKALINE!). So, when taken internally, there's no damage to healthy cells, no negative pH imbalance, and no turning blue.

In addition, "silver-laced" condoms are also available, proven to help in the fight against contracting HSV. Here's a link to learn more about this.  ​

Note: Neither Dr. Pedersen nor The Herpes Witch claims silver is a CURE for anything.