Tissue salts, also known as cell salts or Schuessler salts, are a system of alternative health care originating in 19th-century Germany. These remedies are preparations of 12 inorganic mineral compounds. Proponents believe these compounds are necessary for proper cellular function and utilize them to support the body’s natural healing processes. The salts are typically found in highly diluted forms, similar to homeopathic preparations, for easy assimilation.
The Foundational Theory and Origin
The concept of tissue salts was developed in the 1870s by Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schuessler, a German physician. Schuessler based his system, known as biochemic medicine, on the work of pathologist Rudolf Virchow, who theorized that disease originates in the cell. Schuessler believed that the root cause of all illness was a deficiency or imbalance of specific inorganic mineral salts within the cells.
He theorized that these 12 salts were necessary for cellular structure and metabolism. A lack of proper mineral concentration would impair cell function, leading to symptoms of illness. By administering the deficient mineral salt in a highly diluted, easily absorbable form, the body’s cells could supposedly correct the imbalance. This theory holds that the salts act as cellular stimuli to help the body redistribute and absorb minerals already present, rather than adding bulk minerals.
The Twelve Essential Mineral Compounds
The twelve compounds are essential inorganic constituents of the human body, classified into groups based on their chemical components. The three calcium salts are Calcarea Fluorica (Calcium Fluoride), Calcarea Phosphorica (Calcium Phosphate), and Calcarea Sulphurica (Calcium Sulfate). Calcarea Fluorica is theorized to support elasticity in connective tissues. Calcarea Phosphorica is claimed to aid bone and cell regeneration, and Calcarea Sulphurica is associated with cleansing and eliminating waste from the body.
The three potassium salts include Kali Muriaticum (Potassium Chloride), Kali Phosphoricum (Potassium Phosphate), and Kali Sulphuricum (Potassium Sulfate). Kali Muriaticum is often linked to mucous membranes and is used for conditions presenting with white or gray discharge. Kali Phosphoricum is considered a nerve and brain support, theorized to address symptoms of anxiety and fatigue. Kali Sulphuricum is associated with the skin and the body’s oil-regulating functions, including respiratory health.
The three sodium salts are Natrum Muriaticum (Sodium Chloride), Natrum Phosphoricum (Sodium Phosphate), and Natrum Sulphuricum (Sodium Sulfate). Natrum Muriaticum is claimed to balance the distribution of water throughout the body, addressing both excessive dryness and water retention. Natrum Phosphoricum is theorized to maintain the body’s acid-base balance and is used for conditions related to acidity and digestion. Natrum Sulphuricum is linked to liver function and the elimination of excess fluid.
The final three salts are Ferrum Phosphoricum (Iron Phosphate), Magnesia Phosphorica (Magnesium Phosphate), and Silicea (Silica). Ferrum Phosphoricum is often referred to as the oxygen carrier and is suggested for initial stages of inflammation and fever. Magnesia Phosphorica is the anti-spasmodic remedy, theorized to alleviate cramps and sharp, shooting pains. Silicea is associated with the body’s structural components, supporting hair, nails, skin, and connective tissue.
Preparation and Administration Methods
Tissue salts are prepared using trituration, a process similar to that used in homeopathy. The mineral compound is finely ground and sequentially diluted, typically with lactose. The most common potencies are 6X or D6, indicating the substance has been diluted six times at a 1:10 ratio, resulting in a low concentration.
The remedy is usually provided as small, dissolvable tablets designed for quick absorption. Users are instructed to allow the tablets to dissolve under the tongue rather than swallowing them whole. This sublingual administration is believed to allow the micro-doses to pass directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for cellular assimilation.
The typical dosage involves taking one tablet several times daily, with the frequency adjusted based on whether the condition is acute or chronic. Since they are prepared in micro-doses, tissue salts are considered safe for all age groups, including infants and pregnant individuals, and are often used alongside conventional medications.
Scientific Evaluation and Regulatory Status
Despite their widespread use in complementary medicine, the scientific consensus is that there is limited evidence from randomized controlled trials to support the efficacy of tissue salts beyond the placebo effect. Due to their high dilution level, the final product often contains negligible amounts of the original mineral compound, making a direct physiological effect unlikely according to conventional pharmacology. The available evidence supporting their use is primarily anecdotal or derived from case studies, not rigorous clinical validation.
In the United States, tissue salts are classified and regulated under the framework for homeopathic drugs. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines a drug, in part, as any article recognized in the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS). This recognition was established in 1938, making products listed in the HPUS, including tissue salts, subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as drugs.
The legal provision in the FD&C Act includes articles recognized in the HPUS within the definition of a drug. For decades, the FDA generally used enforcement discretion, allowing these products to be marketed without the premarket approval required for other drugs, provided they met the standards of the HPUS. This means that while they are legally considered drugs, the FDA has not historically reviewed them for safety and effectiveness in the same manner as conventional pharmaceuticals.