Biochemic cell salts

aka Tissue Salts or Cell Salts are alternative remedies based on inorganic salts elaborated by Wilhelm Heinrich Schüßler (1821–1898). Although moderately diluted (3X-6X), they are not classed as homeopathic, because they are not purported to act according to the "like cures like" principle of homeopathy.^[1] Nonetheless, they are commonly advocated by people who also advocate similar alternative medicine remedies, including homeopathy.

Tissue salt tablets

Inorganic salts were first used in homeopathic preparations by Samuel Hahnemann, and further utilised by Dr. Schüßler who identified 12 different salts in human tissue based on the analysis and research of inorganic constituents of cremated organs and remains by Jacob Moleschott and Justus von Liebig.

Schüßler concluded that the cell salts are important mineral constituents that are present in human cells, and that (in accordance with the theories of Rudolf Virchow) disease took place at the cellular level.

Even though water and organic matter make up a greater portion of living cells, the inorganic matter is the only substance that the organism/cells cannot produce by itself. Since the life of living cells is relatively short, the creation of new cells depends on the presence of minerals. Mineral deficiencies will inhibit the proper functioning of living cells.

Schüßler also stated that if an imbalance or deficiency of these salts at the cellular level were to occur, sickness may follow. Schüßler believed that the balance of these twelve mineral salts could be restored by ingesting "cell salts" in a bio-available form. He claimed that these minerals needed not so much to be "replaced" as the cells needed to be prompted by the presence of the homeopathically potentised cell salts to restore balance of the essential components.^{[citation needed]}

He ascribed a specific purpose to each one of the 12 salts, based on his understanding of their biochemical purpose and relative distribution in the body.^{[2][unreliable source?]} He also performed clinical experiments to verify his conclusions in the form of homeopathic "provings".^{[3][unreliable source?]}

These days, tissue salts are usually prepared as tablets, made up with lactose powder in a manner similar to homeopathic products: Each inorganic salt is ground (triturated) with lactose powder in a ratio of 1:9, and this mixture is then ground with fresh lactose, again in a 1:9 ratio. This process is repeated either three or six times, yielding a 1 000 000 to 1 dilution or 1000:1 dilution.

Because of this dilution, tissue salts are generally prescribed at dosages that are too low to have any detectable effect on the levels of the minerals and electrolytes involved.^{[citation needed]} No peer reviewed scientific clinical trials have been conducted on tissue salts, and they are less well known to the public than some other complementary therapies.^[4]

The twelve salts described by Schüßler, together with the abbreviated names under which they are sold, are:

• Calcium fluoride (calc fluor)
• Calcium phosphate (calc phos)
• Calcium sulfate (calc sulph)
• Potassium chloride (kali mur)
• Potassium phosphate (kali phos)
• Potassium sulfate (kali sulph)
• Sodium phosphate (nat phos)
• Sodium sulfate (nat sulph)
• Sodium chloride (nat mur)
• Ferric pyrophosphate (ferrum phos)
• Magnesium phosphate (mag phos)
• Silicon dioxide (silicea)

The combination of all 12 salts in one formula commonly called by its non-trade name Bioplasma. Often the five phosphates are combined into a compound remedy at a 3X potency called "Biochemic Phosphates". The popular homeopathic combination remedy Hylands Calms Forte, is prepared in a base of biochemic phosphates, in contrast to the regular strength Calms which is prepared in USP Lactose.