Cell Salts

What are cell salts?

Cell salts are also called biochemic tissue salts, or mineral salts.
Cell salts were discovered and named as the science of biochemistry was sprouting in the early 1800’s – primarily in Europe. A German medical doctor, Dr. W. H. Schuessler (1821-1898) is considered the originator of cell salt theory and practice. He coined the term “Biochemic tissue salts.”

Getting to know our cells

Our understanding of the cellular nature of our bodies, and how these cells functioned was being revealed via the use of more modern laboratory equipment in the early 1800’s. One human body is actually made up of trillions of microscopic cells. From the Biochemic perspective, the visible health of the body is the result of the health and vitality of the unseen trillions of cells that make up that body.

Cells rely heavily on minerals – like calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and sodium in order to function. One way that a cell can have reduced function is to have a lack of important minerals.

We naturally ingest minerals in our food and water.

When we are healthy, we can assume that our cells are getting all the minerals they need. If we have symptoms such as dry skin, acne, poor digestion, muscle pain, nerve pain, sinus congestion, anxiety, and many other common ailments, we can assume that part of the “problem” is that our cells are not functioning optimally. This reduced function may be due to a mineral deficiency.
 

Cell salts are a combination of minerals that the body is able to absorb and use.
The theory behind cell salts is that in order for the cells to be able to benefit from supplemental minerals, they must be in a form that is both small enough (remember, we are talking about tiny cells that utilize minute amounts of a substance) and in the correct combination. Dr. Schussler combined all of these requirements into tablets now referred to as “cell salts” or “mineral salts.”

cell salts are easy to use

The 12 cell salts:

Calcium Fluoride

Calcium Phosphate

Calcium Sulphate

Ferrum Phosphate

Potassium Chloride

Potassium Phosphate

Potassium Sulphate

Magnesium Phosphate

Sodium Chloride

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Sulphate

Silica

The amount of actual material in each tablet is very small and dilute. The dilution allows for easy absorption into the blood and easy utilization by the cells.

Trituration: The Dilution Process

Cells are tiny – we can’t even see them – imagine how small a nutrient must be in order for a cell to “ingest” it!

In order to make the mineral “bite size” for a cell, it is first ground down. Then one tiny part of the ground up mineral salt is added to 9 parts of lactose (milk sugar). This combination is ground up for at least 2 hours. Then, 1 part of this mixture is combined again with 9 more parts of lactose – to be ground again for at least 2 hours.

This process, called trituration, is repeated and repeated until the correct dilution for a given cell salt is achieved. Usually, this is indicated by a “6X”- which represents the process of adding 1 part mineral salt to 9 parts lactose (equaling 10 parts “X” is the Roman numeral for 10) and then diluting it again and again 6 times.

Why Use Cell Salts?

Cell salts are very gentle, easy to take (they melt under your tongue), affordable ($15 for 1000 tablets), and very effective for many common ailments. Like any healing method, they work great for some people and not so great for others. The good news is that trying cell salts is a pretty safe experiment, as they are so diluted and gentle that side effects are not an issue.

(I have yet to find one method of healing that works all the time for every situation, and for every person – that’s why I keep learning about different forms of healing.)

Here are five ways that I use cell salts for my own health:

1. Mix 1 tablet of Calcium Phosphate (6X) and 1 tablet of Calcium Fluoride (12X) into the water reservoir of my dental irrigator “WaterPik” to support the health of my teeth and gums.
2. Take 3 tablets of Ferrum Phosphate (12X) 3 times a day during menstruation.
3. Take 2 tablets of Potassium Chloride (6X) and 2 tablets of Ferrum Phosphate (12X) once a day to prevent colds and flu’s during the fall and winter.
4. Take 5 tablets of Magnesium Phosphate (6X) 4 times a day when flying to prevent jet lag.
5. Take a combination of Magnesium Phosphate (6X) and Calcium Phosphate to relieve muscle spasm

There are many other ways to use cell salts. Below are some resources for learning more:

Books about cell salts:

Dr. Schuessler’s Biochemistry, by J. B. Chapman and J. W. Cogswell
Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schuessler, by Boericke and Dewey

Websites about cell salts:

Institute of Biochemic Medicine