Why not obsess over silver than antibiotics? Silver in Ayurveda

The theme of my 2020 birthday was Silver. I am a silver collector for silver and its amazing properties intrigue me. I would like to share some excerpts from an Indian Express article with you, below, about silver. I mix my face ubtans in a silver plate, I drink out of silver glass sometimes, I eat my food in a silver plate, not because I am fancy but because Silver is protection from diseases because of its anti-microbial properties.

From the article:

v Silver is been used in Indian cuisines from centuries. Civilizations like Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Egyptians aren’t alien to using silver either.

v Silver leaf (warq), silverware utensils are integral to our food heritage.

v In Ayurveda, silver has been used in the form of Bhasma (calcined formulation), called Rajat Bhasma, for 5000 years.

v Ayurvedic medicine uses silver in small amounts as a tonic and elixir. It was used to treat neurological disorders, respiratory tract disorders, muscular dystrophy, infertility, urinary tract disorders and diabetes.

v Silver has historically and extensively been used as a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent. Silver had been used as an antibiotic in human healthcare.

v It was believed that people who ate from silver dishes and cutlery were less likely to get sick. It was believed to protect the rich from Plaque in the middle ages

v Silver leaf was used to combat infections in wounds sustained by troops during World War I. Silver has also been used for water purification, treating wounds, injuries, reconstructive orthopaedic surgery, cardiac devices, catheters and surgical appliances.

v Silver was later replaced by antibiotics, but with growing antibiotic resistance, silver is making a comeback.

v Silver as a metal and a non-essential element, is much safer to a human body than other heavy metals like lead and mercury

v Colloidal silver is a suspension of silver nano particles in water.

v Prior to introduction of antibiotics, colloidal silver was used widely in hospital as a antibacterial for almost 1,200 years. It is believed that colloidal silver can kill germs by binding pathogens. In the field of wound care, silver containing dressings have been used historically.

v Various studies suggest that colloidal silver is effective in killing and preventing bacterial growth, including bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant and also preventing viruses from entering human cells. It is also reported to be toxic to cancer cells.

v Colloidal silver is also known to have various anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe eye infections like conjunctivitis. It stimulates skin and tissue healing and reduces inflammation. Thus its use in traditional medicines includes conditions like psoriasis, acne, cysts etc

v According to a 2014 study published in the International Forum for Allergy and Rhinology, colloidal silver has been found to be effective when used as a nasal spray. Being a potent antimicrobial agent, colloidal silver may help reduce the length and severity of colds and flu.

The Indian Express Article here.

Author,

Swati Mansharamani