Dr. Wilhelm H. Schussler and The Schussler Cell Salts
The German physician, Dr. Wilhelm H. Schussler developed cell salt therapy in the 1870s. Cell salt therapy is related to homeopathy
in the manner that the remedies are prepared through dilution but, because they are not purported to act according to the “like cures like” principle they are not considered to be actual homeopathic remedies.
Schussler studied cremated human bodies, and found that there were 12 main substances that made up the bulk of the remains. From this finding he theorized that these 12 salts from the cremated tissues, now called tissue salts, are necessary and responsible for the harmonious functioning of the human organism. From this fundamental idea, upon which Biochemic Therapeutics is based, is the physiological fact that both the structure and vitality of the organs of the body are dependent upon certain necessary quantities and proper apportionment of their organic constituents because they form material basis of the organs and tissues of the body.
Disease follows when a person becomes deficient in any of the 12 salts. Schussler recommended that patients take the salts in pill form to cure a variety of disorders. He believed that the salts provided adequate nutrition to the cells. If cell nutrition was adequate, then cell metabolism would be normal, and the body would be healthy.
The cell salt remedies themselves that Schussler used were not direct nutritional supplements as we would understand them today. He followed the principles of homeopathy in their preparation. This concept in general based on what appears to be the reverse of modern medicine, in that the smaller the dose, the more effective it is believed to be. Cell salts are prepared like homeopathic medicines, by a process of continued dilution and shaking or pounding (succussion).
These cell salt or tissue salts are not meant to work or affect the body like regular mineral supplements do. Among other things, by their ingestion they would help the body and its billions of cells to absorb their sympathetic mineral salt through the regular metabolism of normal wholesome foods.
Some will say that Cell salt therapy, like homeopathy, is not based on scientific research but on provings. Provings are basically anecdotal evidence gathered from volunteers. This method of testing the efficacy of remedies was devised by Samuel Hahnemann, the German physician who originated homeopathy. Within the field of homeopathy, cell salt therapy is considered a sister therapy or perhaps a subset of homeopathy. Homeopaths prescribe cell salts, sometimes in conjunction with other remedies.
The 12 cell salts are as follows:
- Calcarea fluor (calcium fluoride)
- Calcarea phos (calcium phosphate)
- Calcarea sulph (calcium sulfate)
- Ferrum phos (iron phosphate)
- Kali mur (potassium chloride)
- Kali phos (potassium phosphate)
- Kali sulph (potassium sulfate)
- Magnesia phos (magnesium phosphate)
- Natrum mur (sodium chloride)
- Natrum phos (sodium phosphate)
- Natrum sulph (sodium sulfate)
- Silicea (silica)
In addition to these basic 12 Cell Salts others have been discovered. And, they are also available as salves and gels to be used externally to aid the body as a whole.
Precautions
Though the cell salt pills are extremely dilute, practitioners believe them to be quite potent. Practitioners advise people to take cell salts only under the advice of a homeopathic physician. The cell salts are not intended to be a complete treatment, but only one part of a treatment plan devised by a knowledgeable practitioner.
Side Effects
Because of the extremely dilute nature of cell salt pills, side effects are unlikely. Traditionally trained medical doctors would consider them placebos. To this many have stated that even if the cell salt or homeopathic effects were merely a placebo effect, they would not mind if it meant getting well without suffering potential side effects.
