Cell Salts—Part one of a series

by Lia Bello RN, FNP, CCH

I was asked by a reader to write about the 12 CELL SALTS.

When I teach my Homeopathy Course and people learn about the 50 polychrest remedies that make up a remedy kit and see the many indications for each remedy some students get a little overwhelmed. Then we get to the part about the 12 Cell Salts and they feel good to see that there is this little sub-system within homeopathy that only uses 12 remedies and can be used for many ailments. After they get some results with this easy system they can then embrace the larger system of Homeopathy more readily.

The theory of this system, formally called the "Biochemic System of Medicine" is that medicinal treatment should be directed toward the cells, since the body is a collection of cells. The inorganic constituents of the cell substance, the "cell salts" or "tissue salts", are the vital portion of the body and do the work of creating living tissue, and are essential for proper growth and development of every part of the body. Should a deficiency occur in one or more of theses workers, of whom there are 12, some abnormal condition arises. Dr. Schussler was one of the main developers of this system and put forth that every disease which afflicts the human race is due to a lack of one or more of the minerals which make up the body.

The 12 substances that make up the inorganic substance of cells are:

Each one of the 12 salts has its own sphere of function and curative action based on each one's function in the cell. For example, bones and teeth are largely made of Calcium Phos,phate so this is the remedy used when bones are weak or diseased. Mucus membrane has for its specific inorganic material, salt, or sodium chloride, and the remedy made from salt, Natrum Mur, is used when there is nasal discharge or hay fever. So this system which is based on chemical knowledge of the cells for its use is very different from Hahnemann's methods of provings and does not necessarily adhere to the other classical principles like the single remedy. It seems though that much of the chemical knowledge about each mineral has been incorporated into our homeopathic materia medicas. My personal take on how this system helps the body is not that it is filling in a deficiency of the salt but that it enhances the body's chemistry in a way that is still mysterious to us.

Dr. Schussler, who was also a homeopathic physician, deemed that the best way to replenish the deficient cell salt was, not in large material doses, but in minute quantities, specifically 3x (1:1000) or 6x (1:1 million) which are still large enough to contain molecules of the mineral in an easily assimilable form. Since minerals are solid in nature the cell salts are prepared as triturations, a method where a solid substance is "diluted" by being ground with a mortar and pestle into the appropriate portion of milk sugar.

Any of the cell salts can be used constitutionally (in a higher potency) as the similar remedy as in classical homeopathy but Schussler's system of using more than one biochemic remedy at a time in low potencies based on the symptoms to be covered is used exclusively by some with very good results. For chronic ailments, a cell salt is taken several times daily over a period of weeks, while acute treatment is given every 1-3 hours for a day or two. A combination of all 12 cell salts has been popular with many over the years as an overall tonic for the body.

Best Books on Cell Salts:
The Biochemic Handbook, J.B. Chapman, and Edward Perry
The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schussler by Boericke and Dewey

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The 12 Cell Salts—Part Two
Last month I described the theory behind the sub system within Homeopthy called Cell Salts or Biochemic Therapy. This month I will give a synopsis of what each of the 12 cell salts is known to help when taken 1-3 times daily over time in a 3x or 6x potency. These remedies are no more important than any others but do seem to work on the cell level when used in the low potency. I sometimes allow patients to take a cell salt even though they are taking another higher potency remedy.

Calc Fluor
(Calcium Fluoride) – elasticity of tissues – Covers loss of elasticity – like varicose veins or hemorrhoids and its opposite – too fibrous – like fibro-cystic breast lumps, adhesions after surgery.

Calc Phos
(Calcium Phosphate) – nutrition of cells – especially calcium based tissues like teeth, bones. May help bone and teeth health in children and post-menopausally. Known as a restorative in convalescence and anemia.

Calc Sulph
(Calcium Sulphate) – blood purifier – helps the body throw off thick, yellow pus or mucous discharges of infections. Acne, conjunctivitis, catarrh.

Ferrum Phos
(Iron Phosphate) – early inflammation – fever, start of throat and ear swelling and pain. Can stop hemorrhage, nosebleed. Use liberally in children's ailments.

Kali Mur
(Potassium Chloride) – decongestant – thick white or gray mucous in nose or throat--and in the middle ear. To prevent a cold from going into an ear infection or sinus infection.

Kali Phos
(Potassium Phosphate) – nerve nutrient – helps brain fatigue, exhaustion, stress related symptoms, nervousness.

Kali Sulph
(Potassium Sulphate) – useful in draining thick, yellow catarrh or discharges, in respiratory system or skin eruptions.

Mag Phos
(Magnesium Phosphate) – anti-spasmodic – relieves crampy pains, headache, neuralgia, menstrual, pains, digestive cramps, baby's colic. Where aspirin would be used.

Natrum Mur
(Sodium Chloride or salt) – controls the water distribution of the body – so think of it for edema, high blood pressure, hay fever and colds (clearnasal discharge, watering eyes, sneezing, loss of smell) even in headache and depression since the need for correct degree of moisture can manifest many ways.

Natrum Phos
(Sodium Phosphate) – acid neutralizer – indigestion, heartburn. Use instead of antacids after a meal. For uric acid build up in joints – rheumatism.

Natrum Sulph
(Sodium Sulphate) – liver cleanser – bile problems – hepatitis, asthma from humid, damp weather.

Silica
(Silicic Oxide) – skin, hair and nail health – Helps the skin cleanse – when pus formation is threatening – boils, styes. Brittle nails, scar formation.

Info from Biochemic Handbook published by Formur, Inc. of Luyties Pharmacy from 1920. and Boericke's Materia Medica.

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The 12 Cell Salts—Part Three
In the last two issues the uses of the Twelve Cell Salts (Biochemic Tissue Salts) were described as well as the philosophy behind the system as developed by Dr. Schussler. In many aspects of healing there has always been the practical, scientific side and also the esoteric, sometimes ancient, even alchemical aspect. Although I am a classical homeopath I study and incorporate all forms of knowledge. When I studied homeopathy England in 1976 at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital I also learned about the esoteric aspects of Homeopathy on the side, including the anthroposophic medicine of Rudolph Steiner, radionics and medical astrology.

"Medical astrologers teach that people born under different signs are prone to particular health problems. Virgo is liable to suffer from digestive and intestinal difficulties, the sign Cancer has an easily disturbed stomach, and Taurus has a sensitive throat. A medical astrologer knows that the complete horoscope, with all the planets and their interactions delineated, gives a fuller, more accurate picture of an individual's unique constitution. However, even the novice astrologer, possessing the absolute basic information – that of the date of birth – can make a considerable contribution to the health of those around them by suggesting the use of the cell salt that correlates with the Sun sign. Each person needs more of their birth salt than any other. Use it in times of stress as a tonic to prevent a crisis or a lingering debility."
—Gretchen Lawlor ND, prominent medical astrologer.

The Zodiac Signs and their corresponding Cell Salts are:

I think that it is very interesting that Aquarius goes with Nat Mur, the water balance remedy. And that Kali Phos, the nerve tonic, is paired with Aries, the sign known to be kind of hyper and flighty. I do know that as a Taurus, I have had way more problems occur in my throat area than any other part of my body, and this is the body area that corresponds to that sign.

I heard a theory that a baby receives the correct amount of nine mineral salts while in utero for the nine months of gestation and that it is beneficial to administer the other three cell salts corresponding to the three other months of the year after the baby is born to ensure balance.

Bioplasma is the combination of all twelve cell salts and is used by some as an overall tonic. It does seem that the cell salts in low potency can be taken more than one at a time because of their special link to each other and the body. A short course of this combination tonic occasionally when the body is feels depleted may be beneficial – but remember that your most similar remedy is always the one that fits your individual symptoms. The cell salts are just a small part of what homeopathy has to offer!

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