Everyone knows that minerals are essential micronutrients to our health. Minerals are inorganic substances found in soil and rocks. Your body gets these minerals from foods- from eating plants that absorb them from the earth and by eating meat from animals, which consume plants. Without minerals your body could not repair or build new tissue, contract and relax muscles, transmit nerve impulses, clot blood, maintain optimal pH, keep your heart beating and your immune system healthy.
Summary
Tissue Salts Benefits
The 12 Tissue Salts Benefits -A Brief Description
Tissue Salts Benefits for MS…. Do Tissue Salts Work?
My Tissue Salts Review — Pros and Cons of Tissue Salts
1.Tissue Salts Benefits
One of the first doctors who researched and truly understood the benefits of minerals was Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schüssler, a prominent MD, physiological chemist and physicist of the late nineteenth century. He was well ahead of his time (and our time as well, I must say). He was unsatisfied with the medical treatments at this time- conventional medicine was using “strong drugs, poisons and nauseous chemicals” and homeopathic medicine was safe, but required too many remedies for a specific condition). As a practicing physician, he was able to put his theories to the test, creating an effective, yet simple form of therapy called Biochemistry- the chemistry of living tissues. Dr. Schüssler formulated four simple principles of biochemistry, which were later confirmed by Virchov (the father of modern pathology) and scientifically proved by Stahlkopf. These are the 4 principles:
Disease does not occur if cell metabolism is normal
Cell metabolism is in turn normal is cell nutrition is adequate
Nutritional substances are either organic (ie sugar, fats) or inorganic (minerals)
The ability of body’s cells to assimilate, use and eliminate nutritional material is impaired if there is a deficiency of the inorganic (mineral) content of the tissue
Therefore, he developed the Schuessler Salts medical system which aims to correct mineral deficiencies and restore health [1].
How did he come up with these 12 salts and how did he confirm tissue salts benefits ? He studied the body’s ashes, because the ashes do not contain water or organic substances, but will have the key inorganic substances. He also looked into the mineral content of the blood and body’s tissues. He spent many years researching the effects of tissue salts imbalances and improper metabolism and treating patients with various conditions — from simple allergies and eczema to brain injuries, severe infections and even cancer. Rather than claiming his treatment as a cure for everything, Dr. Schuessler believed that tissue salts support the body’s ability to heal itself, and this healing is triggered by correcting mineral deficiencies with tissue salts. He also found the best way to absorb these minerals in the bloodstream and then into the cells, by using them in micro doses, this tissue salts benefits are superior to using plain, undiluted minerals.
2.The 12 Tissue Salts Benefits -A Brief Description :
Magnesium phosphate (Mag phos)- nerve and muscle agent
Sodium chloride (Nat-Mur) : water distributor
Sodium phosphate (Nat phos): acid-neutralizing tissue salt
Sodium sulphate (Nat sulph)- liver cleanser
Silica (Sil): skin and connective tissue restorer
There are different combinations available including the combination 12 tissue salts, which includes all the above salts.
3. Tissue Salts Benefits for MS…. Do Tissue Salts Work? Tissue Salts Review for Brain Health/MS
Tissue salts can be helpful to improve nerve /brain and muscle health -the top 2 salts would be Kali phos and Mag phos.
Ferrum phos can help reduce inflammation while Calc phos, Kali mur and Kali sulph can help improve the health of the gut (which is also important to reverse MS).
While many doctor use tissue salts for general health or the occasional back pain, I couldn’t find healthcare professionals looking at these salts particularly for MS (n.b. tissue salts are not homeopathic remedies, as some may think). So I went back in time, and read a book published in 1894 – “The Biochemic System of Medicine “by Dr. G Carey, MD, who followed closely Dr. Schuessler’s work and learned how these salts were successfully used to treat a wide range of conditions- including brain diseases. Some examples:
Calc- fluor is found in connective tissue in the brain (between the cerebrum and cerebellum)
Calc- phos is essential for the bones, but also a component of the gastric juice, muscles and nerves- can help treat numbness and coldness in the feet, nerve pain (sharp, shooting pains), and increased sweating. Calc-phos can help treat brain fog, especially when associated with depression, dizziness, increased sweating at night, lack of energy, feeling cold, experience significant numbness and insomnia. Calc-phos is the most important salt for digestive issues.
Fer- phos is crucial for red blood cell/oxygen supply and a deficiency is seen in inflammation and fever; gastritis, muscle stiffness, and seizures- taking this tissue salt could alleviate these problems. Ferr phos helps during first stage of brain inflammation, meningitis to reduce fever and congestion; also great after head concussion. Fer-phos can help manage insomnia.
Kali- mur is a key tissue salt for managing seizures, as well as digestive conditions.
Kali- phos is a true nerve and brain tissue salt- a key component of the brain’s grey matter — helpful to manage brain fog, depression, irritability and nervousness, digestive symptoms triggered by stress, muscle stiffness, paralysis, numbness; sensitivity to noise and light, sciatica, increased sweating, infections, insomnia (from excessive worry). Can be used for brain inflammation (in this case should alternate with Kali mur).
Kali-sulph can be indicated for facial (trigeminal?) neuralgia, and pains that move from one spot to another. Kali sulph can help restore the senses of taste and smell in as little as one month.
Mag- phos is key component of the brain’s white matter (which is myelin rich), nerves and muscle fibers; this tissue salt can be useful for treating muscle spasms and cramps, swallowing problems, back pain and sciatica, involuntary movements and seizures. It also promotes optic nerve health. Should be taken with calc phos with a sip of hot water (note: other magnesium supplements like ionic or mag citrate should be taken with a bit of hot water as well).Mag-phos can help manage brain concussions associated with visual disturbances. Mag-phos and Calc-phos could make you smarter, as they were found to boost intelligence -these two salts seem to be the nootropics of the 19th century.
Nat- mur — had been successfully used for treating delirium, stupor as well as excessive sleepiness, depressed mood, digestive problems, palpitations, cold feet and hands, numbness, and nerve pain. Brain conditions associated with depression, insomnia and fatigue often respond well to this tissue salt.
Nat- phos- helps maintain acid-alkaline balance in the body, useful for treating increased stomach acidity, anxiety and palpitations
Nat- sulph- regulate the water in the tissue, blood and fluids of the body. Can be helpful for managing fluid retention, as well as headaches, dizziness and muscle twitches.Nat-sulph is indicated in mental impairments following head injuries, especially when associated with intense pain in occipital area.
Silica is found in the hair, nails, skin, bones and also in the nerve sheath and connective tissue between cerebrum and cerebellum. Silica can help manage brain fog, especially when associated with significant confusion, lack of focus, anxiety and fatigue.
4. My Tissue Salts Review — Pros and Cons of Tissue Salts
Pros (Tissue Salts Benefits)
Easy to use (available in tablets, liquid, pellets)
Less expensive than most supplements
Excellent safety profile — suitable for everyone including babies and pets; no known interaction with drugs/herbs
The efficacy of tissue salts is based on old system of observations and provings (in other words, physicians would record cases studies to observe the safety and efficacy of these salts). Even nowdays, some of the studies published on Pubmed are case studies.
Aligned with body’s chemistry, physiology and ability to heal itself, by correcting mineral deficiencies. Besides playing a key role in cell metabolism and many bodily functions, optimal levels are needed to absorb other nutrients/food digestion (in other words, you may see little benefit of taking other supplements without correcting mineral deficiencies first)
Modern research supports the tremendous benefits of minerals for our health; and also the fact that mineral deficiencies are common. Thanks to the modern lifestyle, we may need now more than ever mineral supplements. We get fewer minerals from food as the soils are depleted. We lose minerals from stress, poor nutrition, polluted environment (from cell phones, microwaves, computers to insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, contaminated water). Many diseases are associated with vitamin and mineral deficiencies or mineral imbalances (including degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and MS) [2], [3], [4]. Elderly are at risk for mineral deficiencies. Prescription drugs create additional vitamin/mineral deficiencies [5] .
Stood the test of time- over 140 years later, many doctors around the world are recommending them. I didn’t realize how popular they are until I’ve seen thousands of reviews on Amazon/ other online stores. There are thousands of happy users/ positive reviews on tissue salts. Hyland seems to be the most popular brand of tissue salts — including combination 12 tissue salts called Bioplasma (but I don’t like the fact that tablets contain lactose).
Lactose free options are now available (liquid form from Martin and Pleasance brand )- I like the combination 12 tissue salts formula, but also the Mag-phos and Kali-phos); Liquid form seems to be a bit less effective than the tablets, but is working if repeated more often. Even better, use pellets-tissue salts can be ordered by a healthcare provider from Boiron in pellets (the custom order can include a certain combination of salts; n.b. 6 X is different from 6C).
May be a better option than many mineral supplements on the market (many mineral formulas have only modest benefits, due to reduced bio availability and some can be even toxic) [6]. I do see the value of giving them in microdoses.
I’ve seen some claims that tissue salts may improve the body’s electromagnetic field. That’s right, being well hydrated and correcting mineral deficiency before using TENS, light therapy or magnet stimulation (PEMF, rTMS, etc) is very important to get results from these therapies (because water and minerals are ideal conductors of this electric/magnetic energies).
Cons (Tissue Salts Disadvantages)
Do tissue salts work? No standard scientific studies confirm the benefits of these salts. I wish I would have seen some and share them with you. If I think a bit, there are no scientific studies about the benefits of water intake on cell metabolism either, yet is common sense that we need proper hydration as well as organic substances, and inorganic (minerals) for cellular health. Technically speaking, we don’t really need scientific studies to support the use of vitamins and minerals- but rather pick up a nutrition, biochem or physiology book and refresh our memories about the importance of these nutrients and how they work. Scientific studies are important when we look at specific nutrient deficiencies associated with a disease and also how these supplements compare with standard meds (for example I enjoyed reading studies that show SAMe working just as well as antidepressants)
Tissue salts are poorly understood by most healthcare professionals. Remember, Dr. Schuessler was an MD, biochemist and physicist and applied his knowledge of all these systems when he created tissue salts.Biochemistry is taught in med schools during preclinical years (and very much forgotten after); it is also focused on organic biochemistry and not so much on inorganic chemistry. With the new trends that emphasize the importance of metabolomics (the science that evaluate an individual biochemistry and treats diseases accordingly), I believe all future doctors will have a better understanding of the body’s chemistry. This is the future of the medicine [7].
Not much recent research to further develop this system. I know there were anther 14 or 15 added over time as secondary tissue salts (including zinc, selenium, lithium salts and more). However… we change the lifestyle, we eat differently and live in a different environment compared with 150 years ago. We know more about human body and its composition, yet Dr.Schussler’s system still relies on old research. I’d like to know more about mineral content of human body, as we know today. I suspect we are less likely to have Cal-Flour and Nat-Mur deficiencies, and experience more Mag phos and Kali phos deficiencies. How about the gut microbiome and its mineral content — do tissue salts work to improve gut microbiome? I’d really like to see research on this part.
You should not rely on supplements as a primary source of minerals- I still believe that high quality, nutrient rich organic foods should be the main source of minerals in the body.
Talking about supplements, be aware that some of them are a good source of multi minerals — for example spirulina, chlorella, kelp and nutritional yeast, bentonite clay, activated charcoal, SBO (soil based organisms) and many sport nutrition products (ie protein powders) have added minerals to the formula. Probiotics can help increase the levels of minerals in your body.
Some may argue that tissue salts are diluted, and therefore these small doses can’t have a real impact on cellular health. As a general rule, I recommend other supplements like vitamins, aminoacids, fatty acids in regular or even higher doses. I also believe that some mineral (tissue salts included) and herbal supplements may work better in smaller (microdoses), while other minerals and herbs should be used in regular doses. Different forms of minerals can be combined as well- for example Mag- phos tissue salt (6 X dilution) plus regular doses of magnesium (threonate , bisglycinate, ionic), depending on the symptoms.
While is a very smart idea to correct mineral deficiencies, it is equally important to look at other nutrients such as vitamins, fatty acids, and macro (carbs, proteins, fats)- if you want to reverse a chronic condition and achieve optimal health.
