Dr. Schuessler was one of the leading German scientists of the late nineteenth century who had great success incorporating homeopathy into his practice. He also learnt from the pioneers in the biochemistry field about 12 inorganic minerals present in the body which he called “tissue salts” (also known as cell salts or essential minerals). These mineral elements are present in the body in very small quantities but are vital in building the millions of cells of which the body is composed.
Dr Schuessler found out that the lack of or suboptimal level of one or more of these important cell salts causes an imbalance at a cellular level and puts the body into a disease state. Hence, many conditions we come across today can be successfully corrected using cell salts.
Dr Schuessler developed a diagnostic tool to detect tissue salt deficiencies in the body- during his scientific research and medical practice he learnt that cell salt imbalance is reflected in the appearance of facial skin as well as certain organs and illnesses. He also went on to develop these essential minerals homeopathically to help his patients counterbalance their deficiencies, prevent diseases and cure many health conditions. The idea behind these treatments was to supply the necessary tissue salts to meet the body’s mineral needs to be healthy at physical, mental and emotional level. Let us take a closer look at the 12 Schuessler’s salts and establish their role in maintaining basic physical structures of the body as well as their influence on emotional and mental aspects of human functioning.
Calc Fluor (Calcium Fluoride)
Function: Essential for the connective tissue, teeth, bones.
Tissue and organ affected: Bones, veins, teeth enamel, glands, elastic fiber, throat, larynx, thyroid, elasticity of tissues.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: brittle, soft and splitting nails, sweaty feet, bone problems, cracking joints, enlarged lymph glands, varicose veins, cracking skin, reflective skin appearance.
Emotional symptoms: low self esteem, indecisiveness, weakness, stress over finances.
Foods it is found in: whole grain foods, dairy, mushrooms, raw vegetables, spinach, sesame seeds and broccoli.
Calc Phos (Calcium Phosphate)
Function: Essential for bone tissue, it helps with assimilation problems, anemia, and nerve pain.
Tissue and organ affected: Bones, tendons, cartilage, inner parts of teeth, digestive fluid, muscles, spine, glands.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: anemia, arthritis, bone inflammation, broken bones, backache, gout, swollen knees, nerve pain, toothache, cavities of teeth, worms, waxy appearance of facial skin, transparent tips of teeth.
Emotional symptoms: low motivation, desire for travelling, struggle to accept bad news.
Foods it is found in: almonds, dairy, oats, spinach, dates, cucumbers, cherries, white beans.
Calc Sulph (Calcium Sulphate)
Function: for skin and tissue support; used to detoxify the body, improve digestion and immune system.
Tissue and organ affected: liver, gall bladder, heart muscle, glands, connective tissue, bones, skin, mucus membranes.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: boils, abscesses, fibroids, inflammation, acne, eczema, yellow mucus discharges, tumours and ulcers, burning, itching, alabaster-white appearance, paleness.
Emotional symptoms: tiredness, laziness and inactivity, worrying about imaginary problems.
Foods it is found in: oats, almonds, lentils, cucumbers, cauliflower, peanuts, soybeans.
Ferrum Phos (Iron)
Function: carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
Tissue and organ affected: blood, vein and artery walls and heart, lungs, colon, bones, mucus membranes.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: low-grade fevers, anemia, fatigue, weak immune system, red face, nosebleeds, hemorrhages, pulsing and throbbing headaches, heart palpitations, painful periods, pneumonia, tinnitus, morning sickness, head cold, eye inflammation, “didn’t get enough sleep” appearance, dark circles under the eyes, redness in general.
Emotional symptoms: feeling stimulated initially, later dullness and lacking energy and enthusiasm.
Foods it is found in: oats, spinach, hazelnuts, tomatoes, red and blue berries, whole rice, soy, sesame seeds.
Kali Mur (Potassium chloride)
Function: works on the blood by forming fibrin (fibrous protein) and diffusing it through the tissues of the body, helps keep body fluids in correct thickness including blood, works on mucus conditions.
Tissue and organ affected: glands, bronchials, throat, ears, muscles, joints, mucus membranes, fibrin.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: blood clots, bruising, facial redness, acne rosacea, heart palpitations, sore throat, nasal congestion and allergies, earaches and deafness, blood clots, white and thick mucus conditions, moderate fevers, glandural problems, varicose veins, chicken skin on the arms.
Emotional symptoms: apathy, irritability, hypochondric tendencies, family issues,
Foods it is found in: hazelnuts, peanuts, cucumber, lentils, spinach, pork, potatoes, soybeans, sesame seeds.
Kali Phos (Potassium Phosphate)
Function: is the basic element of the brain and nerve function (found in the gray matter of the brain and nerves).
Tissue and organ affected: brain, nerves, spleen, skin, mucus membranes, muscles.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: poor gum and dental health, bad breath, nervousness, anxiety, depression, brain injury, mastitis, facial neuralgia, sciatica, varicose veins, tinnitus, dizziness, epilepsy, dry mouth, ash grey appearance, sunken temples.
Emotional symptoms: nervousness, irritability, anxiety, hysteria, anger, self-pity, tension, depression, weal memory.
Foods it is found in: hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, lentils, white beans, soybeans, spinach, cucumber.
Kali Sulph (Potassium Sulphate)
Function: used as oil maker and distributor in the body, specific to the third stage of inflammation and resolution.
Tissue and organ affected: pancreas, liver, respiratory organs, glands, skin, mucus membranes.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: high fevers, vitiligo (lack of pigmentation), hypo- or hyperpigmentation- liver or age spots, freckles, yellow dandruff and discharges, psoriasis, asthma, sinusitis, rattling mucus in the chest, wandering pains, brownish yellow appearance of facial skin, the pregnancy mask.
Emotional symptoms: irritability, anger, sensitivity to noises, fearful dreams, need for self-validation.
Foods it is found in: hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, nuts, lentils, peas, spinach, pork.
Mag Phos (magnesium phosphate)
Function: is a nerve remedy and keeps white fibers of nerves and muscles in proper function, feeds the heart and the cardiovascular system, used as a antispasmodic.
Tissue and organ affected: heart, colon, nerves, and muscles.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: angina, spasms, menstrual and colon cramps, neck pains, sharp back pains, right- sided sciatica, neuralgic pains, bloating and gas pains, child colic, epilepsy, eczema, double vision, facial redness, in stress situations red spots can appear on cheeks, neck, upper chest.
Emotional symptoms: sensitivity, impulsiveness, quick action, complains regarding physical issues.
Foods it is found in: walnuts, peanuts, basil nuts, corn, white beans, wheat, soybeans.
Nat Mur (sodium chloride)
Function: distributes water in the body, found in the digestive system, blood, skin, kidneys and baldder.
Tissue and organ affected: liver, spleen, heart, brain, kidneys, blood, mucus membranes, cartilage.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: dandruff, dryness, high blood pressure, MS, vaginal dryness, depression, nasal and sinus discharges, loss of sense of smell and taste, bronchitis, constipation, salt craving, herpes, sneezing, deafness, sweating, gelatinous appearance often seen on the upper eyelid, large facial pores.
Emotional symptoms: fear of emotions, control and forgiveness issues- holding in old hurts, oversensitivity, introvertion and personal isolation, grief, sun sensitivity.
Foods it is found in: red beets, lentils, radishes, tomatoes, celery, goat whey, milk, sea salt.
Nat Phos (sodium phosphate)
Function: is responsible for the acid balance of the body, found in the stomach, mucus membranes and lymphatic system.
Tissue and organ affected: stomach and intestines, genitals, lymphatic system, tissues.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: acne, ankle itching, diabetes, jaundice, morning sickness, candida and parasitic infections, pH imbalance, sour body smell and sour-smelling yellow discharges, morning sickness, yellowish, sunken, bloated facial skin, blackheads, red nose, pimples, acne, double chin.
Emotional symptoms: low self-esteem, insomnia, depression from nerve oversensitivity.
Foods it is found in: oats, lentils, pork, carrots, olives, asparagus, spinach, rose hips.
Nat Sulph (sodium sulphate)
Function: regulates water in the body, responsible for removal of excess water and liver health, found in intercellular fluids.
Tissue and organ affected: liver, gall bladder, pancreas, colon.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: alcoholism, swollen hands and feet, bad gas, head injuries, epilepsy after head injury, asthma, indigestion with bitter taste, diarrhea, liver problems, sun sensitivity, testicular swelling, excessive urination, greenish- yellow skin tinge, bluish- red colouring of the nose (the “alcohol” nose).
Emotional symptoms: head injuries, suicidal feelings, depression from wet weather.
Foods it is found in: oats, lentils, pork, spinach.
Silicea (silica)
Function: is responsible for healthy and strong connective tissue and helps the body remove foreign objects by creating pus, can dissolve scar tissue, found in hair, skin, nails, bone covering, nerve sheath and bone.
Tissue and organ affected: connective tissue, skin, hair, nails, bones, glands, nerves, cartilage, Eustachian tube.
Some deficiency symptoms and conditions: continuously cold hands and feet, sweaty hands and feet, stinky feet, oversensitivity to light and noise, dry, brittle nails, skin problems, scarring from acne, boils, cysts, split hair ends, vaccinations reactions, wrinkles- laugh lines and crow’s feet, wrinkles in front and parallel to the ears, eyelid cavity is shrunken.
Emotional symptoms: sensitivity to cold, shyness, lack of individual perseverance.
Foods it is found in: whole grains, oats, millet, whole rice, wheat, peans, strawberries, cucumbers, parsley.
When the body’s mineral balance is in correct order, our cells are healthy and function properly and “healthy cells amount to a healthy person”. Hence, cell salts may turn out to be a “miracle” remedy for many conditions and since are nontoxic they can be taken by anyone, even pregnant and nursing women. Tissue salts are a vital element of homeopathic therapy and a reputable homeopathic practitioner can assist you how and when use them correctly to regain health and balance.
References:
David R. Card, 12 Essential Minerals For Cellular Health. An Introduction to Cell Salts.
David R. Card, Facial Diagnosis of Cell Salts Deficiencies. A User’s Guide.