Over the past year I have been increasingly using homeopathic Tissue Salts, sometimes called Cell Salts, more specifically for some of my younger patients and have found them beneficial in promoting the health of compromised patients.
Whilst attention to Biochemic Tissue Salts was first noted through provings by the founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, of Lime, Salt, Potash and Silica, it was not until the late 1880s that this system was developed by a German doctor, Dr Wilhelm Heinrich Schüssler.
Analysing the ash residue of human cells, he found 12 inorganic mineral salts, theorizing that these 12 elements were critical to balancing cellular activity and health. Schüssler believed that any disturbances in the molecular motion of cell salts in the living tissues caused by a deficiency in the required amount would constitute disease. Administering the same mineral salts in small quantities could therefore re-establish the equilibrium. If we take an example from agriculture, a plant will grow according to the quality of the soil around its roots. If the quality of the soil appears to be lacking and the plant not thriving, a fertilizer containing the missing substance is used, giving the plant what it needs for its optimum development and growth.
Schüssler made twelve homeopathic remedies in low potencies 6x or 12x; a brief overview of the Tissue Salts and their uses is given below.
Calc Fluor (Calcium Fluoride)
It is very helpful for anyone suffering from sensitive teeth particularly where citrus fruits have caused sensitivity.
I have used this remedy to assist the healing process when clients have undergone operations, as this can help to reduce the tendency to adhesion. This is equally of service to people who find that adjustments made by visiting a chiropractors do not hold, as this remedy helps to strengthen ligaments and tendons.
Clients who work with their hands including massage therapists and carpenters may find this beneficial when the ligaments and tendons become contracted. It has also been used for people who suffer with enlarged glands.
Calc Phos (Calcium Phosphate)
This is known as the nutritional cell salt as it helps to regulate calcium metabolism and is an important remedy for growth and development. It is useful for children who experience painful dentition, leg cramps or growing pains during growth spurts. It is useful to speed up the healing process after surgery for hip replacements or broken bones. I find it beneficial to use both Calc Phos and Calc Fluor in these instances
Calc Sulph (Calcium Sulphate)
This remedy is mainly used for skin problems such as acne, abscesses or boils that have a tendency to form yellow pus, but also nasal troubles where the discharges are thick and yellow.
Ferrum Phos (Ferrum Phosphoricum)
This is the first remedy to be thought of in acute situations where inflammation is present, i.e. sore throat, fevers, conjunctivitis, earaches etc. It aids recovery from infectious illnesses when the person’s vitality is low yet they look quite healthy.
Kali Mur (Potassium Muriaticum)
A remedy to be thought of where the discharges tend to be white or clear and the Eustachian tubes become blocked causing deafness. Useful after swimming or to take during a flight as it helps to prevent the pressure building up in the ear.
Kali Phos (Potassium Phosphoricum)
Generally suited to people who are suffering from nervous exhaustion or those who appear highly-strung. I have used this successfully to help students who have been studying hard, as it can help to sharpen their memory or others who are mentally worn out due to overwork.
Kali Sulph (Potassium Sulphate)
This remedy has an affinity for the lungs where expectoration is thick and yellow or nasal discharge is thick, bland and yellow.
Mag Phos (Magnesium Phosphate)
This is such a wonderful anti-spasmodic remedy for cramps and nerve pain. Cramps tend to be worse at night during sleep and shooting pain radiates from the sight of the cramp. Women suffering from menstrual cramps could find this beneficial and a keynote of this remedy is that the heat of a hot water bottle relieves the pain.
Nat Mur (Natrum Muriaticum)
A remedy to help the person who is suffering emotionally from grief and have a tendency to dwell on their misery. They are introverted people and can only cry when they are alone. Their colds begin with much sneezing and a clear discharge, similar to the symptoms of hay fever. Their headaches may feel as though a hammer is pounding away inside their head and they can temporarily lose their vision. Exposure to the sun can cause headaches.
Nat Phos (Sodium Phosphate)
Acidity is the word people use when describing their symptoms, as they become sensitive or are aggravated by acidic type foods. We have noted that children suffering from nail biting, teeth grinding or picking their nose, possibly due to intestinal worms, have improved with the aid of this remedy. It can also help people with food intolerances.
Nat Sulph (Sodium Sulphate)
People suffering from liver and gallbladder problems have been helped by this remedy. The tongue is coated yellow and they may experience morning diarrhoea. They may feel very irritable. Nasal discharge or expectoration is yellow/green and when coughing the person has to hold the chest. Dampness makes their condition worse. For headaches that may have been caused by injury to the head
Silica
This remedy is used for the person who feels weak and fragile, lacks stamina, feel the cold easily and lack confidence. It is also for children who are unable to tolerate their mother’s milk or who are slow in developing. Premature babies could benefit from Silica, as would children who seem to be prone to more ailments following vaccinations. It is a remedy known to help bring boils to a head or expel splinters.
The information above is just an outline of how homeopathy and tissue salts can be of benefit to all ages; it is still important to remember that to get the best results, a visit to a qualified homeopath is advisable.
References:
Murphy Robin ND. Nature’s Materia Medica 3rd Edition. 2006.
Boericke & Dewey, The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler. 1998.