Food Sources for Cell Salts

POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE: Said to be good as a brain food helpful for nerve and brain imbalances. Foods containing this salt include Parsley, Beans, Beets, Carrots, Linseed Meal, Peanuts, Milk, Buttermilk, Cheese and Avocados

SODIUM SULPHATE: Said to be good in regulating the water supply in the body system, decreasing or increasing it as needed. Foods containing this salt include Cauliflower, Lettuce, Cabbage, Turnips, Radishes, Onions, Egg Yolks, Celery, Brussel Sprouts, Kohlrabi and Milk.

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE: Said to be good for forming and distributing fibrin throughout the body, thereby moderating coagulation. When clogging occurs, it is associated with sinus and throat problems as well as fibrous growths. Foods containing this salt include Cheese, Egg Yolks, Radishes, Coconuts, Lentils, Carrots, Spinach, Asparagus and Sauerkraut.

CALCIUM FLOURIDE: Said to be good for muscle and connective tissues...ligaments & tendons, as well as healthy teeth enamel. Foods containing this salt include Turnips, Asparagus, Beets, Goat Cheese, Kelp, Garlic and Pineapple.

MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE: Said to be good for healthy nerve tissue, thus assisting nerve transmission. Foods containing this salt include Cauliflower, Cabbage, Asparagus, Beechnuts, Almonds, Whole Wheat, as well as fruits such as Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Grapefruit, Figs, Gooseberries, Peaches and Cherries.

POTASSIUM SULPHATE: Said to be good for circulation of oils through our body, which supposedly assists digestion and kidney function, as well as excretion of toxins through the skin. Foods containing this salt include Cauliflower, Lettuce, Cabbage, Onions, Celery, Brussel Sprouts, Tomatoes and Cucumbers.

SODIUM PHOSPHATE: Said to be good for balancing the acid-alkaline function in our bodies, thus helping all acid conditions which affect the nervous system. Foods containing this salt include Cottage Cheese, Eggs, Buttermilk, Brown Rice, Tomato juice, Citrus fruits and juices, Whole Wheat products, Lentils, Vegetable Greens, Asparagus and Parsley.

CALCIUM SULPHATE: Said to be good for building and sustaining epithelial tissue, thus supposedly good for all skin diseases. Foods containing this salt include Cauliflower, Lettuce, Cabbage, Turnips, Radishes, Onions, Egg Yolks, Celery, Brussel Sprouts, Kohlrabi, and Milk.

SILICA: Said to be good for building and maintaining skin, hair, nails, and nerve coverings, as well as removing decomposed matter from the skin. Foods containing this salt include Endive, Barley, Oats, raw Cabbage, Cucumber skins, Shredded Wheat, Rye and Whole Wheat products, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, Gooseberries and Strawberries.

CALCIUM PHOSPHATE: Said to be good as a bone builder and helpful in any bone disease. Foods containing this salt include Parsley, Beans, Beets, Carrots, Linseed Meal, Peanuts, Milk Buttermilk, Cheese and Avocados.

SODIUM CHLORIDE: Said to be good for regulaitng the water supply throughout the body, thus affecting elimination and how “cool” or “hot” we are regardless of the temperature. Foods containing this salt include Onions, Celery, Tomatoes, Almonds, Apples, Spinach, Peaches, Pecans, Lentils, Sauerkraut, Egg Yolks, Swiss chard, and Roquefort and Goat Cheese.

FERROUS PHOSPHATE: Said to be good for transporting oxygen throughout the body, thus aiding circulation which assists the purifying and stimulating of internal organs. Foods containing this salt include Raisins, Prunes, Plums, Grapes, Figs, Oranges, Spinach, Currants, Mushrooms, Dates, Beets, Wheat Bran and Lima Beans.

Do You Know About Cell Salts???

Your body needs a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals to perform at its best. When you don’t have enough of one or several of these nutrients, the body is likely to respond by presenting different physical symptoms. It can be hard getting all of the nutrients you need on a daily basis, so you have probably experienced the effects of a lack of some form of nutrient at one time or another. Everything from cracks at the side of your mouth to brittle hair and nails could be a sign that you’re not providing your body with enough of the fuel it needs. Fortunately, there are many ways you can boost your intake of these vital vitamins and minerals. One method involves a type of treatment known as ’tissue salts’ or ‘cell salts’, based on the theories of a German doctor called Wilhelm Heinrich Schuessler.

What are cell salts and how can they help the body?

There are 12 basic cell salts in total, to match the 12 essential minerals the body needs for optimal function. The idea for the salts started as Dr Schuessler was looking at an alternative to the hundreds and thousands of homeopathic remedies. He wanted to develop his own treatment method focused on a small and precise set of remedies that would help the body in specific and manageable ways by restoring the right balance of minerals. The result was the idea of tissue or cell salts. Dr Schuessler identified the minerals he believed played the most important role in physical health and supporting the body’s tissues. Based on this idea, he theorized that if someone had a deficiency in any of these minerals they would experience illness, pain and/or other uncomfortable physical symptoms.
To combat this, he developed a set of 12 basic remedies that was designed to reach the cells where they were needed directly and effectively. He took the principles of homeopathic remedies and applied them to his salts, ensuring that each one would be chemically pure and produced in such a way that they would be absorbed more easily by the body.
The 12 basic salts provide a micro-dose mixture of minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium and silica. There are also an additional 15 salts which feature a range of other minerals that are beneficial for the body in various ways.

What can I use tissue/cell salts for?

Everyone knows that calcium is needed for healthy bones and teeth, and iron is important for carrying oxygen to the blood cells. However, the body benefits from other minerals as well and cell salts are meant to aid in specific situations.
For example, if you experience weak nails or hair falling out, the ‘Combination K‘ with potassium sulphate, sodium chloride and silicon dioxide is designed to help. Or if your little ones are coming down with a fever, cramps, inflammation or headache, the corresponding tissue salts mixture (Pain and Fever Ease) contains ferric pyrophosphate, magnesium phosphate and sodium chloride to help ease the symptoms. Different cell salts are also made for symptoms such as menstrual pain, immune problems (particularly during winter), nervous exhaustion, mental fatigue, pain in the teeth, muscular pain and more.

Are there any side effects?

There are no side effects associated with cell salts, and they are safe for the whole family to take – you can even take them along with other medicines or during the pregnancy and breast feeding periods. However, it’s a good idea to note that you shouldn’t rely on the cell salts to make up your whole mineral intake. If you would like more information about taking cell salts, talk to your healthcare professional for more advice and remember to always follow the dosage directions on the label. Martin & Pleasance have been manufacturing Schuessler Tissue Salts for over 130 years and still use the traditional process of hand-grinding the minerals. View the range and buy them now from our secure online shop.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Martin & Pleasance Schuessler Tissue Salts:

What are Schuessler Tissue Salts?

Tissue Salts are micro dose minerals that stimulate cell metabolism, provide the cells with minerals and ensure that the minerals which the body ingests in food (and supplements) are evenly distributed.

What do Schuessler Tissue Salts do?

Activate body processes via your cells by way of cellular balance: Energy, Digestion, Sleep, Immunity & Mood

How long should I take Schuessler Tissue Salts for?

Try taking Tissue Salts for 1 month minimum and notice any changes.

What do cells do?

A cell assimilates nutrients, converts them into energy and eliminates waste materials.  Cells are the building blocks of life.

Do I still take my crude Minerals if I take Tissue Salts?

Yes!  Crude minerals simply fill up the body’s mineral reserves but do not improve absorption of nutrients as do Tissue Salts.

Tissue Salts...The Benefits of These Building Blocks

Tissue salts, also known as cell salts, are one of the best ways to restore and maintain your body’s biochemistry – a term that describes the balanced workings of your body at cellular level.  Tissue salts are homoeopathically potentised salts of twelve different mineral combinations, each with vitally important roles in your cells and the various types of tissue they form.  Minerals create your physical foundations, they are the building blocks of your body, upon which all other nutrients depend for healthy absorption and function.  Mineral deficiencies are understood by naturopaths to be the lowest common denominator in human disease processes.

Tissue salts have been around for a long time.  They are probably the first natural health supplement I ever knew about, beginning as a young child growing up in the 1960s.  Mum always had some in the cupboard as part of her home remedy supply.  At the first sign any of us was unwell she would say “come and get some cell salts, I think you’re a bit run down”.  They were easy to take and usually effective.
Tissue salts were developed in the 19^th century in Germany by Dr Wilhelm Schuessler, a chemist and physicist who realised deficiencies of these minerals was the underlying cause of ill health.  He prepared his mineral salts according to homoeopathic principles, in minute doses and ground finely for easy absorption.  With this method your body is able to absorb the salts by osmosis through the cellular wall, wherever in the body they are needed.  Their therapeutic action is to stimulate the body’s natural ability to regulate its mineral intake via the food chain, gradually restoring a biochemical balance.  In addition, because they combine the material properties of each mineral salt with the energetic properties of homoeopathic dilution and trituration, tissue salts stimulate balance and well-being on all levels, not just the physical.
There’s a tendency in our fast-paced, market driven culture for people to take large quantities of assorted vitamins and minerals in the mistaken belief that ‘more is better’.  This ignores the essential requirement that all minerals are needed by the body in a balanced ratio.  If your cell chemistry is deficient and you don’t have the capacity to absorb excessive levels of supplements, the bulk of them are excreted without giving you much benefit.  The beauty of tissue salts is that they are highly bioavailable, so none is wasted.  They are, in essence, the food of your cells.

Safe for Everyone
Another great advantage is that they are safe, with no adverse effects or possibility of overdosing, even if you take one that is not indicated for you.  Tissue salts are usually formulated in a lactose base, however only people with extreme lactose intolerance are at risk of a reaction.  Alternatively, they are also available in an alcohol base.
It’s best to work out which specific salts your body needs, because taking a random combination may mean they will cancel each other out in terms of action and symptom relief.  However they will not do any harm, just possibly take longer to be effective.  You can give them to your children with confidence, and take them while pregnant or breastfeeding.  You can also safely take cell salts alongside any medication.

What are the 12 tissue Salts?
The original 12 tissue salts formulated by Schuessler, with their main physical actions, are:

• Iron Phosphate (Ferr Phos or IP): reduces swelling & pain, 1^st stage inflammation
• Magnesium Phosphate (Mag Phos or MP): neuromuscular coordinator
• Potassium Phosphate (Kali Phos or PP): nerve nutrient
• Potassium Chloride (Kali Mur or PC): congestion remover, 2^nd stage inflammation
• Potassium Sulphate (Kali Sulph or PS): cell oxygenator, 3rd stage inflammation
• Calcium Sulphate (Calc Sulph or CS): blood cleanser
• Calcium Phosphate (Calc. Phos or CP): cell builder
• Calcium Fluoride (Calc. Fluor or CP): connective tissue elasticity, strengthens blood vessels
• Silicea (Silica or S): calcium organiser, tissue strengthener
• Sodium Phosphate (Nat Phos or SP): metabolic acid remover
• Sodium Chloride (Nat Mur or SC): fluid balancer
• Sodium Sulphate (Nat Sulph or SS): detoxifier

Deficiencies of individual tissue salts are a factor in all disease processes of the body.  Singles can be useful in acute phases of illness to reduce symptoms and speed up recovery.  In more chronic states combinations of specific tissue salts, alongside a regular diet of nutrient-rich foods, will be needed over time to successfully treat deficiencies that are the underlying cause of disease.
If you suspect you are not absorbing dietary nutrients very well, or suffer from an increasing number of seemingly unrelated symptoms, your cells may be under-functioning because you are lacking the right balance of tissue salts.

This information was originally written by:
By Carolyn Simon ND,
Naturopath
http://blog.healthpost.co.nz/2012/tissue-salts/
 

Tinctures

What is a tincture?? Tinctures are liquid extracts made from herbs that you take orally (by mouth). They are usually extracted in alcohol, but they can also be extracted in vegetable glycerine or apple cider vinegar (non-alcohol). Tinctures are easy and convenient to use. Tinctures are also easier to give to children as they have to take only small amounts. Because they are taken directly under the tongue, they enter the bloodstream much more directly than by any other means. This means that the action in the body is usually quicker. Although some herbs will have an immediate effect, such as those used to help one relax.  Others that are more nutritive and building in nature. Nutritive tinctures may take several weeks of continual use before best results are seen.

All tinctures are extracts, but not all extracts are tinctures!! Tinctures are where one is using alcohol as the solvent or medium. If you are using water, vinegar, glycerin or any other type of medium or solvent, then the preparation is an extract.

Tea vs. Tincture?
Teas and tinctures are made from the same combination of herbs. It's just a different way of taking them.  Some people enjoy teas and enjoy the relaxing aspects of taking a time-out to drink a cup of tea.  Others may not care for tea or do not have time to brew and drink a cup of tea. For these people, a tincture is perfect. Tinctures are also very convenient, as nothing needs to be brewed. You simply take the drops of tincture and you're done.  You can easily carry a bottle of tincture in your purse and have it available to you at all times. When you want an immediate response, such as herbs for relaxation or sleep, a tincture may give you more immediate results.  For nutritive herbs, either a tea, a tincture or a capsule would be fine.  It comes down to personal preference.

What is a Tincture Dropperful?  Why won't the glass tube fill all the way when I squeeze the dropper top?
Tinctures are usually taken by the dropperful (also known as a squeeze). A dropperful is the amount of liquid that fills the glass tube of the dropper when the bulb on the dropper top is squeezed and released. The liquid may fill the glass tube only a small portion of the way, but that is considered a "dropperful". A dropperful equals approximately 30 drops.

FYI -- On all dropper tops, no matter how large or small of a tincture bottle it comes with, the bulb (the thing you squeeze) is the same size on them all. The bulb is what determines how much liquid fills the tube, not the length of the tube itself.

With this standard dosing suggestion (for adults) of two droppersful three times a day, tincture bottles typically last this long:

• 1oz. tincture bottle will last about one week


• 2oz. tincture bottle will last two weeks


• 4oz. tincture bottle will typically last about a month.

To take a tincture, it is best to take the drops directly under the tongue. This gets the herb directly into the bloodstream. If necessary, it is fine to dilute the tincture in a small amount of water or juice. It may be flavored with lemon or honey to disguise the taste. (Note: never give honey to a child under one year of age.) You may also put the droppersful of tincture into a cup of warm or hot water for an instant cup of herbal tea. Heat your water first, before adding the herbs. Heating the herbs in a microwave may kill or weaken their healthful benefits.  Taking the tincture directly under the tongue and avoiding any liquids or foods for at least 15 minutes afterwards provides the best results.

Are Tinctures Safe for Pregnant or Nursing Women? How About Children and Babies?
Yes, tinctures are fine for pregnant and nursing women, even the alcohol-based versions. One dose of an alcohol-based tincture has approximately the same alcohol content as eating a very ripe banana. Non-alcohol tinctures are good for children, those with alcohol sensitivities, or for those who simply prefer a non-alcohol product. If you are pregnant or nursing consult an herbalist you trust. For babies, we recommend that nursing mothers take the tincture, which will then pass on to their babies through the breast milk.

For some herbs, such as roots, barks, berries, and non-aromatic seeds, it takes a powerful liquid such as alcohol to extract the medicinal properties from the herb.  Extracting with a less-powerful liquid will only result in a less-effective product - really, a waste of your time and money.  For those who prefer a non-alcohol product and there's not one available, you can put the drops of tincture into a small amount of hot water (the amount is not important), and this will dissipate the alcohol content, leaving only the herb matter behind.  (Be careful not to have your water so hot that you burn yourself though!  It doesn't have to be that hot!)

Herbs and herbal products should not be given to babies under 6 months of age, as their digestive systems are not mature enough to handle much more than breastmilk (or formula if its necessary).  To give herbs to an infant, its best for the breastfeeding mother to take full dose of the herb (see Note: below) and it will pass to the baby through the breastmilk.  If a baby is in acute distress, such as from gas or colic, or if the baby is not breastfed, a small amount of non-alcohol tincture or diluted tea can be given directly to the baby on an occasional basis.  The chart below will give you recommendations of how much to give to a baby or child.

Note: a typical adult dose is 1 cup (8 oz.) of tea, and two droppersful (or squeezes, which is 60 drops) of tincture.  The information below is based on this information.

Teas
When the adult (age 12 and over) dose is 1 cup (8 oz.) of tea, the following is recommended for children:
Age -- Dosage
Younger than 2 years -- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
2 to 4 years -- 2 teaspoons
4 to 7 years -- 1 tablespoon
7 to 11 years -- 2 tablespoons
Tinctures
When the adult dose is 2 droppersful (60 drops), the following is recommended for children:
Age -- Dosage
Younger than 3 months -- 2 drops
3 to 6 months -- 3 drops
6 to 9 months -- 4 drops
9 to 12 months -- 5 drops
12 to 18 months -- 7 drops
18 to 24 months -- 8 drops
2 to 3 years -- 10 drops
3 to 4 years -- 12 drops
4 to 6 years -- 15 drops
6 to 9 years -- 24 drops
9 to 12 years -- 30 drops

Other ways to determine dosage:
Young's Rule - Add 12 to the child's age. Divide the child's age by this total. Example: dosage for a 4 year old: 4 divided by 16 (4+12) = .25, or 1/4 of the adult dosage.