Side Effects of Silicea

Silicea, which is also known as silicea terra and silicic acid, is used as a homeopathic remedy, a natural remedy and is being studied as a possible medical treatment for removing aluminum from the body as well. A compound of silicon oxides, silicea can be taken in tablets, in a colloidal suspension liquid or topically in a gel. There are few side effects of silicea, mostly digestive, but there are precautions to observe.

The term silicic acid is the general name for for a family of chemical compounds which contain the elements: silicon, hydrogen and oxygen, all nonmetallic elements.

Silicic acid exists naturally in seawater and can be found in the oceans of the world. It also exists in flint, sand, quartz and the human body. Orthosilic acid is found in human tissues, bones, tendons, the aorta, the kidneys and the liver, and is necessary for life. This means that the body tolerates silicea well, as a rule.

As a homeopathic remedy, silicic acid is used in tablet form, colloidal liquid or topically as a gel to treat diseases of bone, dental caries and necrosis. The dense, hard dry structure of silicon, as present in quartz, flint, sand, etc., all of which contain silicon as an element, means that silicic acid should work (like for like) for scars, skin growths, dry skin and hair and brittle bones and nails. The phrase "like for like" reflects one of the basic philosophies of homeopathy--that conditions that are dry and hard, like scars, should be treated by that which is dry and hard in its elemental nature, such as the element silicon.

One cautionary--homeopathic practitioners recommend that if you have an implant or an artificial component in your body, you should avoid silica and silicea products because they believe they may have a tendency to cause foreign materials, such as implants, to be expelled from the body.

Silicea stimulates the skin of the body homeopathically to reabsorb scar tissue, including keloids. This use must be monitored by a homeopathic practitioner, as an underlying condition, like an infection or a skin disorder, could be reabsorbed with the scar tissue or keloid, and begin to take hold in the body once more.

Silicea also works homeopathically to treat abscesses, headaches, spasms and epilepsy. If you use silicea for these conditions, you should stay away from alcohol or stimulants like caffeine, as these work against the benefits of silicea in these conditions.

Another side effect–symptoms that benefit homeopathically from taking silicea can worsen in cold damp weather, or if you become exposed to chilly, damp conditions for periods of time. These symptoms will improve with dry warmth.

Silicea and choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid are used as a nutritional supplement (tablets) to treat dry skin and hair, brittle nails, bone formation, bone mineral density and to promote bone collagen formation in women who are osteopenic.

Silicea works naturally with your digestive system to absorb and assimilate nutrients. If you have experienced problems assimilating silicea efficiently–side effects may include indigestion and/or constipation–you might want to add additional supplements that include boron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

If, after increasing your additional supplements, you find that you still do not assimilate the tablet form of silicea–some people continue to experience mild digestion and gastrointestinal distress–the mineral content is also available in food sources such as beets, brown rice, bell peppers, soybeans, alfalfa, leafy green vegetables such as kale and whole grains.

Research done at the Birchall Centre for Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Science has focused on adding silicic acid to canned beverages, to observe the ability of silicic acid to reduce aluminum intake in the digestive system and aid the body in excreting it through the kidneys. Aluminum that is retained in the human body is considered to be a possible contributory factor to Alzheimer's.

Research is also being done on the effect of dietary supplements of silicea and silicic acid on aluminum retained in the body.

Be careful to drink five to eight cups of water daily if you are trying to counteract the effects of aluminum in your body with silicea. It helps your kidneys process and excrete both the aluminum and the silicea.