What Are Cell Salts

In the 1870s, Dr. Wilheim Schuessler was analyzing the ashes of human beings. He found that these ashes were all made up of 12 minerals (or tissue salts)...all of which make up the cells of every living thing on Earth.

He theorized that when these salts are in proper balance, we express good health. When these salts are imbalanced, we have dis-ease.

One problem that arose out of this theory was that when a person was deficient in one of these minerals and was given the substance itself (think calcium or magnesium supplements), it created toxic effects. The molecules were too big to be assimilated.

Because he knew that these salts are found in nature in highly diluted form AND he knew the principles of homeopathic preparations, he concluded that micro-doses of the substances would be more readily assimilated in the body and therefore balance could be restored without the toxic effects. This is the form that we know today as cell salts.

As I said above, Schuessler identified 12 of these cell salts:

Even today, there are differing thoughts as to how cell salts can be used. Some say that they can be used in place of supplements and others say that they are only to be used as any other homeopathic medicine is used...to heal illnesses and diseases.

Here are my thoughts at the time of writing this.

I don't see cell salts as substitutions for vitamins and minerals. Cell salts are not GROSS FORMS of the substances they are derived from. They are homeopathically diluted. And it would take an awful lot of a cell salt to equal what you would get in a supplement.

That being said (and as a side note), I also don't think that in most instances supplements need to be used on a daily basis. That's a pretty unpopular opinion coming from a chiropractor, right? Maybe I'll go into depth on this more in a future blog post. But for now, I'll continue with my discussion on cell salts.

In homeopathy, medicines are used to stimulate the body to correct itself. So by using cell salts, I personally believe that they stimulate the cells to better absorb and utilize the minerals that you feed it.

Calc fluor - calcium fluoride is considered our elasticity cell salt. If you're overly flexible or not flexible enough, this cell salt would be a great one to aid you along with a daily stretching or strengthening program. It is also a bone salt and is helpful for many bone related issues.

Calc phos - calcium phosphate is our nutrition based cell salt. It affects the nutrition of the bones and glands. So it's especially useful in bone fractures, osteoporosis, growing pains, enlargement of tonsils, malnutrition, tooth decay, and more.

Calc sulph - calcium sulphate is a connective tissue remedy and blood purifier. It affects the glands, mucus membranes, bones, and skin. Things like abscesses, boils, cysts, and pimples, especially if there's a yellowish discharge could be helped by the use of this remedy.

Ferrum phos - iron phosphate is our iron salt. It is useful for those in anemic states OR who are overloaded on iron. It can be used at the first sign of any illness because of it's ability to be anti-inflammatory in nature.

Kali mur - potassium chloride is our dissolver cell salt. Anytime there are thick white discharges, Kali mur can be employed to help dissolve and break down these secretions. Swimmer's ear, glue ear, thick post-nasal drip, rattling mucus in the lungs, and thick white coatings on the tongue may all respond well to Kali mur.

Kali phos - potassium phosphate is a nerve nutrient salt. It has an affinity for the brain and nerves. Use this cell salt if you have issues caused by overwork, stress, anxiety, or shock. Also consider this remedy when your nerves are "on edge" and you're sensitive to all external stimuli such as noise and light.

Kali sulph - potassium sulphate is our respiratory salt. It helps get oxygen to the cells of the body. Similar to calc sulph which we already talked about, this cell salt is good for discharges that are yellow especially when they come from the sinuses or lungs.

Mag phos - magnesium phosphate is the antispasmodic and analgesic cell salt and it has an affinity for the muscles and nerves. Cramps, twitchings, sharp shooting pains, spasmodic conditions or any issues that are better by pressure and warmth, mag phos can be employed.

Nat mur - sodium chloride is our water distributor. If any condition is overly watery (think diarrhea) or not watery enough (think constipation), nat mur may come to your rescue. And because sodium chloride is actual salt (NaCl), if there are extreme cravings for salt or there are issues that arise due to salt intake, this could be useful in those situations as well.

Nat phos - sodium phosphate is our acid reducer. Those that live on tums or other antacids would greatly benefit from this cell salt. It can also be used for heartburn, peptic ulcers, flatulence, gout, and diarrhea that occurs after eating acidic foods.

Nat sulph - sodium sulphate has an affinity for the liver, pancreas, and head. This is one of the best remedies for severe head injuries and the mental effects from those injuries. It can also be called for in conditions like fatty liver, mold illness, hepatitis, jaundice, and diabetes.

Silica - silica is the cell salt that is most useful in cleansing and eliminating. It helps make the skin, hair, and nails healthy and strong, and it pushes out foreign objects from the tissues. Use this cell salt for things like brittle hair or nails, skin that cracks easily, styes, splinters, or tooth decay.

While I have given you some of the most common uses of each of these cell salts, know that they have a much wider range of use. And also know that the conditions mentioned here might not call for these cell salts specifically and may instead need a different homepathic approach.