A Focus On: Tissue Salts

: by Rachel Jesson; in Articles; on 22 March 2016

FUNCTIONAL SPORTS NUTRITION - MARCH/APRIL 2014

Tissue salts are mineral salts made by homeopathic methods. For such a simple and effective remedy, they are heavily misunderstood and under-used. Rachel Jesson explains the benefits for regular users.

Tissue salts, also known as cell salts or biochemistry salts, were discovered in the late 19^th century by the German doctor Wilhelm Heinrich Scheussler. During his study of homeopathy, he discovered that when human body cells are reduced to ash, they contain 12 mineral salts. With continued research, the biochemical associations in Europe found at least another 15 tissue salts in the human body, which have been numbered, 13 to 27. These 27 minerals are found in rock and soil and occur naturally in our bodies. In the past, depleted minerals in our system could be replenished through normal nutrition, but because much of our soil is nutrient deprived, our crops sprayed with pollutants and our food is picked too early, the nutrient and enzyme density of fresh food decreases substantially. This observation suggests that often, we are not ingesting those vital minerals that are required for optimal bodily functions.

We also lose minerals through stress, fast lifestyles, exercise, bad nutrition, electro pollution (cell phones, microwaves, computers), environmental pollution and exposure to heavy metals such as amalgam dental filings, lead, aluminium, contaminated water and so forth.

Depleted minerals cause a disruption in our homeostasis, often resulting in disease. According to tissue salt expert, Eva Schoenfeld (1), the mineral balance in our body can be easily re-established by administering the deficient mineral salts in a readily assimilated form; the most effective being the triturated form (tissue salts).

Because they are non-organic substances which are naturally produced by the body, tissue salts are completely harmless. They are diluted so as to penetrate the apertures of the cell wall for effective absorption. There are no known side effects and overdose can’t occur because biochemical tissue salts are only replacing what the body is lacking; so an excess amount will naturally be excreted. Tissue salts can also be given to any person of any age, including pregnant women, infants and animals.

According to Schoenfeld (1), when cravings occur, we are deficient in minerals. Tissue salts have a regulating effect so we need more of certain salts if we crave or refuse a particular food. For example, there is a link between someone who eats too much chocolate and a deficiency. She states that there is a depletion of magnesium and perhaps some other minerals on a cellular level, which results in the craving. The assimilation of chocolate requires high doses of magnesium: the more chocolate that is eaten, the greater the cellular magnesium deficiency. Only once the cell has been refilled with the relevant tissue salts does the craving disappear.

Tissue salts and athletic performance

For optimum sporting performance, one should aim to achieve a balance between the use of tissue salts, vitamins and food supplements. Depending on the choice of supplements and the health of the individual, tissue salts may do a better job of being absorbed to a cellular level and should therefore be used in combination with standard vitamin and mineral supplements.

Tissue salt deficiencies are generally detected by facial and body analysis. For example, if you have crimson cheeks, a pinkish discolouring beside the nasal wings, frantic blush or a red flush after a meal or drinking alcohol, this could indicate a shortage of the tissue salt number 8 (T8) - Magnesium Phosphoricum. T8 is the de-stressing salt responsible for releasing tension in muscles and nerves. It is probably one of the most important tissue salts for athletes because it can quickly relieve sharp twinges of pain and muscular twitches. It is also beneficial for the treatment of muscular cramps, spasms and minor nerve problems. The main culprit for the deficiency in the cells is actually electromagnetic strain, such as mobile phone radiation. It is also the salt of motion and can power up the muscles, influencing a good sporting performance. It could also keep the body calm with race anxiety.

Ferrum Phosphoricum (T4) is another important tissue salt for athletes because it is an excellent carrier of oxygen to every cell throughout the body. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and is supportive to the immune system. In other words, it would be particularly important to aid healing from micro trauma due to heavy training and racing. It would also be the salt of choice if you were injured, stiff, bruised or wounded: possibly a good salt to assist with recovery.

Facial analysis deficiencies for T4 include a bluish or black discolouring at the bridge of the nose or dark smudges under the eyes; this suggests a lack of oxygen transport. Other obvious signs of deficiencies include a flushed face, hot red ears, red burning eyes, tiredness, shortness of breath and skin impurities.

According to Schoenfeld (1), problems that result from mineral deficiencies first start to manifest on a physical level. Tissue salts are responsible for proper cell function. If they are not sufficiently available, the organisms have to reduce this function to a minimum. Sometimes the deficiencies can be so pronounced that single processes in the body are no longer possible.

Tissue salts offer various other functions depending on the number and mineral; 27 in all. Because this issue focuses on breathing and buffering, we have selected the two salts that would offer the best support to these two functions. Therefore, there are numerous benefits to supplementing with tissue salts to maintain optimal health and enhance athletic performance.

References

Eva Schoenfeld (2009). Second Chance. Regain your health with tissue salts. Graystonian Press.