Tissue Salts: The Additions

Many people are familiar with the 12 tissue salts (aka cell salts) that are commonly sold by health food shops, some pharmacies and online.

If you’re not familiar and want to know more, you can read the blog on these original 12 salts here: Tissue Salts: an important & useful tool in your homeopathic kit

But there are a further 15 you may not have come across, taking the total to 27 (or as I wrote this in my 25th year in practice “25 + 2”!).

You may not be able to purchase them easily and we don’t sell them in our online store. They tend to be practitioner only products as you’ll recognise from the conditions covered and this post is for your information and education.

Please contact your healthcare practitioner for further information, to assess their suitability and to access the products via consultation.

So what are Tissue Salts?

The foundations of biochemisty were laid down in the late 1800s by Rudolph Virchow, one of the foremost scientists of the day. Virchow discovered that the body was made up of millions of tiny cells and that each cell consisted of three perfectly balanced classes of material; water, organic and inorganic substances.The inorganic (mineral) substances he discovered are the really vital elements for the function of the body and the building blocks of life.

Dr Schussler determined that these inorganic substances were present in the body as compounds (mineral salts) and he named twelve principal compounds which he called the Tissue Salts.

He went on to identify how the tissue salts were utilized in the body and he worked out their affinities for the various conditions the body is prone to. Over the years this information has been added to until we have a wealth of information on these twelve salts.

The five principles of the Tissue Salts are:

1. Disease does not occur if cell metabolism is normal.

2. Cell metabolism is normal if cell nutrition is adequate.

3. Nutritional substances are either of an organic or inorganic nature where the body is concerned.

4. The ability of the cells to assimilate and to excrete and further to utilise nutritional material is impaired if there is deficiency in the inorganic mineral (tissue salt) constituent of cellular tissue.

5. Adequate cell nutrition may be restored and cellular metabolism normalised by supplying the required tissue salts to the organism in a finely divided assimilable form.

So we can actually understand from these principles that tissue salts are not just useful in acute illness but also in chronic conditions where they nourish and balance the system because they are easy to assimilate into the body and helpful in encouraging the body to excrete what is not required.

From an administration perspective, Dr Schussler’s advice was to take 3 times a day for 120 days. I would generally advise twice a day just from ease of use and have seen obvious benefit in a few days in some cases, up to weeks in others.

Some teachers advise taking each selected tissue salt individually, but you may already be aware that Martin & Pleasance, the main manufacturers of tissue salts in Australia, do a wide range of combination tissue salts, and have done for decades. We find combinations of tissue salts a useful way to address a particular imbalance with the synergestic cell salts in a simple and functional manner.

Tissue Salts: The Additions

Below are the additional 15 tissue salts with a few keynotes and thanks to Eschendorf Apotheke. Hopefully the translation from the German some years back, assisted by Google and my friend and fellow homeopath Leah Zinn, has stood the test of information accuracy!

You can also find additional information at: https://schuessler-cell-salts.com/

Please note that the first name is the tissue salt name, ie as named by Dr Schuessler, and the second name in brackets is the name of the homeopathic remedy or the classical name.

13. Potassium arsenite (Kali arsenicosum)

Potassium is important for the function of nerves and muscles, among other substances. Arsenic plays a role as a trace element for many metabolic functions in the body. In higher doses arsenic is a strong poison. Arsenic compounds are used for over 100 years in diseases such as emaciation, skin disorders, weakness and diarrhea.

Chronic skin diseases, for example eczema, itching with vigorous
As an alternative to other salts in nervous suffering
Disorders of muscle function, such as cramps and paralysis
Low blood pressure
Physical and mental debility
Gastrointestinal discomfort associated with diarrhea and vomiting
Watery diarrhea
Gastrointestinal inflammation

14. Potassium bromide (Kali bromatum)

Potassium affects the nerve cell membranes and increases the glandular secretion. It also acts on the mucous membranes and skin.

Asthma nervosum, whooping cough, throat irritation
Acne and similar eruptions
Sleep disorders
Chronic pharyngitis
Intestinal mucous with salivation
Mental excitement, exhaustion

15. Potassium iodide (Kali iodatum)

Iodides are found in the pituitary gland, the stomach, kidneys, thyroid and the muscles.

Thyroid disorders
Emerging colds
Rheumatic joint swelling, osteoarthritis
Hypertension
To lower heart and brain activity
Loss of appetite, indigestion
Arteriosclerosis

16. Lithium chloride (Lithium muriaticum)

Lithium chloride affects the nervous system, the prostaglandin metabolism, formation of red blood cells and some enzyme systems.

Emaciation
Inflammation of the urinary tract
Nervous stomach ailments in children
For anxiety and stress
Psychological disorders
Osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatism with painful swelling and joint stiffness
Kidney infections
Cystitis
Complaints involving the heart, eg palpitations

17. Manganese sulfate (Manganum sulfuricum)

Manganese can be found everywhere in the body. In higher concentrations it occurs mainly in the liver and the pancreas. In addition, it is included in some enzyme complexes and plays a role in insulin production. Without manganese the body cannot provide energy.

Neurasthenia, fatigue states (CFS, FM)
Circulatory disorders
Toothache
Eyelid inflammation
Amblyopia
Anemia and paleness
Rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, gouty complaints
Weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to allergies

18. Calcium sulfide (Calcium sulfide)

Calcium sulfide (as opposed to Calcium sulphate) is one of the remedies used in homeopathy to assist with excretion of mercury and other heavy metal poisoning. The main application of this salt are skin and mucous membranes.

Exhaustion with weight loss (despite ravenous appetite)
Neurasthenia (eg due to exhaustion or night work)

19. Copper arsenite (Cuprum arsenicosum)

Copper is a so-called co-factor and an important component of many enzymes. Where there is copper deficiency respiratory chain enzymes, which are responsible for energy metabolism, as well as enzymes for the production of antioxidants and immune cells in the body can no longer be made in sufficient quantities.

Neuralgia
Sciatica
Muscle cramps
Colic
Anemia
Circulatory disorders
Epilsepsy
Chronic headaches
Nervousness and irritability

20. Alum (Kali aluminum sulphate)

Potassium aluminium sulphate is a tanning agent (used for tanning animal hides) that changes the protein structure, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory and haemostatic action. In homeopathic doses an unspecified proven effectiveness against nerve disorders is described. Aluminium sulphate is used in food chemistry, for crystallized, glazed or candied fruit.

Constipation
Colic and bloating
Dizziness
Exhaustion
Unsteadiness
Dryness of mucous membranes and skin

21. Zinc chloride (Zincum muriaticum)

Zinc is a trace element. It is present in all organs and also a component of enzymes. When there is a zinc deficiency, the insulin production may be disrupted in the pancreas and skin diseases arise.

Nervous diseases
Nervous insomnia
Immune deficiency
Crampy pain before and during menstruation, infertility
Grooved nails, white spots on the nails
Restless legs syndrome
Hair loss and dull hair

22. Calcium carbonate (Calcarea carbonicum)

Calcium carbonate, also known as lime, is a component of bone and teeth. Calcium plays a role in the transmission of nerve impulse to muscles. With a lack of calcium we may find convulsions, numbness, heart rhythm disorders, osteoporosis, nail brittleness and caries.

Chronic mucous of the eyes, ears and airways
Swollen lymph glands
Inflammation of the eyes and ears
Exhaustion
Hives
Caries of the teeth
Nail fragility
Muscle cramps
Diarrhea

23. Sodium bicarbonate (Natrum bicarbonicum)

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, occurs as an acid buffer in the blood. It has an important function for the acid-base balance.

Activation of metabolism (excretion of uric acid, for example)
Symptoms caused by too much stomach acid, eg heartburn
Supports the action of the pancreas

24. Arsenic iodide (Arsenicum iodatum)

Arsenic plays a role as a trace element for many metabolic functions in the body. In higher doses it is highly toxic. Homeopathic arsenic in micro-doses has been used in diseases such as emaciation, skin problems, weakness and diarrhea for more than a century.

Chronic skin and mucosal diseases
Hay fever, bronchial asthma
Underactive thyroid
Joint disease
Permanent sensation of cold
Weeping eczema

25. Aurum chloride sodium (Aurum mur natronatum)

One of our homeopathic gold salts, Aurum MN is frequently used in chronic diseases.

Pineal gland, heart, liver
Rhythm disturbances, gynaecological disorders
Sleep disturbance
Heart weakness
Menstrual issues

26. Selenium (Selenium)

Liver
Metabolism, cell protection
Liver weakness, efficiency, exhaustion

27. Potassium dichromate (Kali dichromate)

Liver
Metabolism, blood vessels
Overweight
Arteriosclerosis
Diabetes

Homeopathy is a traditional medicine. It may be used in conjunction with other medicines. For any ongoing chronic condition, it is important to be assessed or examined by your healthcare professional or specialist. Always seek medical advice in emergencies. The information on our website and in this article does not constitute medical advice. It is referenced from traditional homeopathic texts and is for information only. If in doubt as to the appropriateness of a treatment seek advice from your GP or your registered homeopath.

Resources

1. Martin & Pleasance; Handbook of the biochemic tissue salts; 1998

2. Murphy R; Nature’s Materia Medica

3. https://schuessler-cell-salts.com/

4. http://www.eschendorf-apotheke-rheine.apodigital.de/ratgeber-schuessler-salze/salze-13-24

Melanie Creedy is a Licentiate of the British School of Homeopathy in the UK and holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Homeopathy. She is registered with the Australian Register of Homoeopaths (AROH) and is a member of the Australian Homoeopathic Association. She was Vice President and Professional Development Coordinator of the Australian Homoeopathic Association from 2011 to 2015 and editor of the AHA National Newsletter from 2012 to 2020.

Melanie has used homeopathy since the mid-1980s and has been in practice since 1998. For many years she ran The Children’s Ear Clinic in Western Australia, but since her tree change to Tasmania, has a special interest in helping individuals manage their life and health through looking at a diagnosis or condition in relation to the symbolism of this unique picture. Armed with a range of remedies from the most common to the most unusual and esoteric, Melanie guides people to plumb the depths of their life and spiritual path with homeopathy to help them find insights, to understand and to heal.

Melanie has developed her own methods of dealing with complex cases over the years and offers distance consultations via phone, zoom and skype to allow people Australia-wide to access her services.

For many years Melanie taught people how to use homeopathy in their homes, with their children and with their pets. She has run classes on how to use homeopathy with native animals and taught courses on homeopathy for birthing to doulas. Since moving to Tasmania she has found writing a better forum to reach more people. You will find many posts reaching back over her 25 years in practice here, revised and updated over time.