Need a Home Remedy? Using the Schuessler Cell Salts Made Easy

The Schuessler cell salts are meant to rebalance and support our health at the most basic level: our cells and tissues. Suffering from soft nails, breaking hair? Silica 6x to the rescue. Or maybe you’re just recovering from an illness? Add Calc phos 6x to help you back on your feet. Nightly leg cramps, menstrual pains or back spasms getting your down? Mag phos 6x is sure to relieve. Maybe you’re anemic and don’t tolerate iron supplements well? Ferr phos 6x offers added support for recovery.

There are only twelve mineral salts and they all come in low homeopathic potency, so the Schuessler cell salts may not be as strong as a homeopathic remedy, but they are super easy to use and often do the trick. While homeopathic medicines typically require the selected medicine to be chosen carefully according to the symptom picture rather than by diagnosis, these cell salts can be used much more generically. The basic premise of the Schuessler tissue salts is that these minerals are naturally found in the cells and tissues of our bodies and when we experience symptoms, they develop as a result of an imbalance in these mineral salts. By my understanding, in the cell salts you have a medicine that still has some resemblance to what a mineral supplement might offer and yet with a hint of the power of a homeopathic remedy.

While all this may be true in theory, in practice, I find the Schuessler cell salts – also known as tissue salts –  to be a natural support alongside a constitutional homeopathic remedy for a problem like anemia or hair loss -or I just use them on their own as a home remedy, for instance for cramps or a cold coming on.

Here’s my quick guide to using the 12 Schuessler mineral salts: You can probably tell which ones are my favourites, but know that each and every tissue salt has its place and I’ve used every single one when the symptoms fit. Just like a homeopathic remedy, choose the one that suits the person and the situation.

#1 Calc fluor 6x supports elasticity, whether the tissue has become hardened or weakened and lax. Think of calc flour 6x to strengthen tooth enamel and wherever the tissues lack strength, as in varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Paradoxically, Calc fluor 6x is also used for bone spurs along the joints or tendons.

#2 Calc phos 6x is the restorative tissue salt. Remember it to support children through a growth spurt, for growing pains and teething (see also Mag phos 6x). It’s great for those string bean children who are long and thin and also at the end of the school year when the brain just can’t keep up. Calc phos is also useful for adults recovering from the flu or after any illness or stressful period when there is a lack of pep (see Kali Phos 6x).

#3 Calc sulph 6x is known as the blood purifier, for low grade infections that don’t resolve or acne that is always coming to the surface.

#4 Ferr phos 6x supports oxygenation of the tissues and is known as the anti-inflammatory cell salt. Use it for anemia with an iron supplement to improve the process of oxygenation of the red blood cells. Suffering from a niggling sore throat? Ferr phos 6x taken early and frequently will often stop a cold from developing (see also Nat mur 6x if it starts with sneezing). I’ve watched it do wonders.

#5 Kali mur 6x is said to support the respiratory tissues, for recovery if a cough is dragging on. It’s also used for the second stages of a cold, after Ferr phos 6x, when the mucous is white.

#6 Kali phos 6x is the nerve nutrient and happens to be one of my favourites, as it can be used for stress and worry or to help soothe the nervous system to get a better night’s sleep. If nervous tension is the problem or the nerves are involved, add Kali phos to quicken recovery. You can take this tissue salt throughout the day, but do repeat 2-3 times before bed to help take that edge off. I find we tend to need this one a lot.

#7 Kali sulph 6x is useful for those final stages of a cold, when the mucous is yellow and copious or the chest is rattly with loose phlegm.

#8 Mag phos 6x is known as the homeopathic aspirin because it’s helpful for cramps and nerve pain. It helps ease the pain of menstrual cramps and can remedy cramps altogether if taken early on. Use it with Calc phos 6x for growing pains and teething, to ease the discomfort through that period of time.

#9 Nat mur 6x was once said to be infallible to stop colds that start with sneezing and it’s also known to distribute water in the body together with Nat sulph 6x. Nat mur is recommended for cold sores and other herpes type infections which tingle and develop into a tiny fluid blister. The trick is to get to the cell salts early and take them frequently and they can do wonders. If tissues are dry, add Nat mur 6x to help retain moisture.

#10 Nat phos 6x is the acid balancer, helpful for acid reflux, though don’t forget to pay attention to diet and avoid eating late. Nat phos can also be used when acid is high in the joints and body generally, as in gout and for sore muscles after a long hike or an unaccustomed run.

#11 Nat sulph 6x is the other water balancer – in this case, it helps remove water from the body. Pregnant women with puffy ankles, or anyone retaining a lot of water, use Nat sulph.

#12 Silica 6x is the tissue salt for strong hair, nails and bones. Add it to Calc phos 6x and Calc fluor to help keep bones strong along with regular exercise and a healthy diet. This cell salts strengthens resilience when weakness persists. Think of Silica 6x for abscesses or acne that will not ripen or lie just under the surface to help promote reabsorption.

Dosages: Like all homeopathic remedies, repeat according to the intensity of symptoms. In most cases and for moderate symptoms, take 4 pills every 2-4 hours for 6-8 doses. As symptoms subside, repeat less often, 3-4 times daily. For mild symptoms or ongoing problems, take 4 pills 3 times daily over a few weeks. If pain is acute or intense, take 4 pills every 30-60 minutes for 6-8 doses or until symptoms lessen, then 3-4 times daily. Children are given just 2 pills instead but the frequency is the same as for adults. For any acute pain, make sure you get a diagnosis – remember that the recommendations here are meant as home use only and do not replace the advice of your homeopathic practitioner and medical doctor. If symptoms persist, it could mean you have the wrong remedy or your diagnosis is more serious, so be sure to consult your local homeopath and get a check up with your health care provider.

Did I mention this is the quick guide?! If you’d like to learn more, take a workshop, webinar or pick up a book. These are such lovely remedies to have at home for minor accidents, aches and pains and other upsets whether they are just for yourself or your entire family!