Until very recently, when I was sent a free sample of a new silver-based Elastoplast plaster, I had no idea that silver could be used for treating wounds. I had a quick scout around on wikipedia and learned these fascinating facts about silver :
- Hippocrates, the "father of medicine", wrote that silver had beneficial healing and anti-disease properties.
- the Phoenicians used to store water, wine, and vinegar in silver bottles to prevent spoiling. In the early 1900s people would put silver dollars in milk bottles to prolong the milk's freshness.
- Silver compounds were used to prevent infection in World War I before the advent of antibiotics.
In other words, it's been used for donkey's years for preventing infection and killing germs, even if it's only recently become popular in commercialised treatments. The science behind this High Stability Active Silver by Higher Nature sounds very complex and confusing : "Made using electro-controlled technology and very pure water from a 9-stage water purification process, to achieve a very small particle size (0.0006 to 0.005 microns). This small particle size is important because it provides a much greater surface area for contact with bacteria and it is this which gives colloidal silver its disinfectant and antiseptic properties". But all we really need to know is that it is known to have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
So is it any better than regular antiseptic ? Well, to be honest, I don't know. According to the label, it is safe to use in the mouth, throat and gums, in ears and noses, on the skin and scalp. It is also safe for use with babies and children (so presumably pregnant and breastfeeding women too, who often have to avoid things like this). It can even be sprayed in the air or on surfaces as a safe hygienic disinfectant. In other words, it can be used just about anywhere, in any situation, when you need to kill germs and I love its versatility.
When it comes to disinfecting the inevitable and frequent childhood scrapes and grazes, all mums know that the most important thing is the psychological effect - we all use the magic mummy kiss to make it all better and, when I reviewed the Baby Aid First Aid Kit, I said that arguably the most useful item in there was the Brave Little Star stickers ! Well, when I mentioned that I was using silver to clean her grazed knee, Juliette felt very important and princessy and stopped sniffling at once ! For that alone, I'll definitely give it the thumbs up !
star rating : 5/5
RRP : £7.45 for 15ml, £16.25 for 100ml, £28.20 for 200ml
for more information and to buy online : http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowProductFamily.aspx?ProductFamilyID=228
thanks for the link :-)
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