Schuessler salts

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The homeopath and doctor Wilhelm Heinrich Schüßler (1821-1898) developed the therapy method named after him in the years around 1870 „Biochemistry according to Dr. Schuessler„, with which he wanted to distance himself from Samuel Hahnemann's homeopathic teachings, which he considered to be too complex

According to his understanding, diseases are caused by disturbances in the mineral balance of the body's cells. He wanted to counteract this disorder with his 12 „biochemical functional remedies“, which he later supplemented with a further 15 „potentized“ mineral salts.

At the same time, he developed a so-called „Face diagnosis„ because he believed he could read mineral deficiencies in his patients' faces.

history

Schüßler conducted experimental research in a combination of

• Microscopic examinations
  Schüßler experimented with the ashing of body tissues and organs and examined the ash residues microscopically.
  He identified various inorganic salts that were found in different tissues. These „tissue ash analyses“ were a common method in physiological chemistry at the time.
• Literature study
  He was fascinated by contemporary cellular pathology research, in particular the work of Rudolf Virchow (1821 - 1902, German physician, pathologist, anatomist, anthropologist, prehistorian) and Jakob Moleschott (1822 - 1893, Dutch physician and physiologist).
  He studied biochemistry and cell physiology, which were still in their infancy at the time. He sought to combine the knowledge he gained from this with his therapeutic practice.
• Deductive conclusion
  From the occurrence of certain mineral salts in the various tissues, he concluded that a deficiency of these salts must lead to functional disorders. This was not experimental proof, but rather a logically deduced assumption.
• Clinical observation
  He tested his preparations on patients and documented subjective improvements. Although these „bedside tests“ did not meet the standards of controlled clinical trials, he regarded them as confirmation of his theory.

As a result, he came up with 15 minerals. For reasons of simplification, he reduced them to 12, selecting them according to four criteria:

1. Occurrence in tissue ashes
2. Presumed physiological significance
3. Subjective clinical experiences in his practice
4. Analogies from pathology

Interestingly, the three minerals he deleted were later added again by his successors (Thomas Feichtinger (*1946 in Austria, teacher, chairman and training manager of the Society for Biochemistry according to Dr. Schuessler, author) and Susana Niedan-Feichtinger (*1948 in Argentina, pharmacist, founder of Adler Pharma Produktion und Vertrieb GmbH)), as well as other minerals.

For the most part, the qualifications do not speak a medically sound language. The connection to business and commerce, on the other hand, is worth considering.

Apart from the experimental selection of the original minerals, minerals 13 - 27 were chosen purely at random on the basis of

• Anecdotal reports from the field
• Subjective observations of individual therapists
• Theoretical considerations without empirical testing

added. There are neither biochemically rational reasons, as Schüßler was able to provide on the basis of his ash analyses, nor any comprehensible systematics.

The twelve original Base salts, According to Schuessler, the minerals derived from his ashes include, among others

1. Calcium fluoratum (calcium fluoride) - D12
2. Calcium phosphoricum (calcium phosphate) - D6
3. Ferrum phosphoricum (iron phosphate) - D12
4. Potassium chloratum (potassium chloride) - D6
5. Potassium phosphoricum (potassium phosphate) - D6
6. Potassium sulfuricum (potassium sulfate) - D6
7. Magnesium phosphoricum (magnesium phosphate) - D6
8. Sodium chloratum (sodium chloride) - D6
9. Sodium phosphoricum (sodium phosphate) - D6
10. Sodium sulfuricum (sodium sulfate) - D6
11. Silicea (silicon dioxide) - D12
12. Calcium sulfuricum (calcium sulfate) - D6

which he assigned to specific functions in the body.

Theoretical principle of action according to Schuessler

His theory of the effect of his minerals is based on the assumption that the diluted and potentized mineral salts can be better absorbed by the cells than undiluted minerals.
The potentiation gives the minerals a higher „bioavailability“.

Biochemical therapy according to Schuessler, analogous to homeopathy, claims that the smallest amounts of mineral salts are sufficient to regulate disturbed cell functions.
In contrast to homeopathy, which is based on the similarity / similarity principle. Simile principle Schüßler saw his salts as physiological regulators, which are intended to compensate for an actual deficiency.

Actual active ingredient concentration

This is the decisive point of the scientific criticism: With a potency of D6, the original mineral substance is diluted in a ratio of 1:1,000,000, with D12 even 1:1,000,000,000,000,000. One tablet of Schuessler salt No. 7 (Magnesium phosphoricum) in D6 potency contains approximately 0.000001 grams of magnesium phosphate.

The daily magnesium requirement of an adult is around 300-400 milligrams.

In order to cover this requirement with Schuessler salt No. 7 in D6, one would have to take several hundred thousand tablets, from which it can be concluded that the amount of minerals contained in the Schuessler salts is negligible from a nutritional point of view.

The carrier substance of the tablets consists mainly of milk sugar (lactose), or alternatively wheat starch.

Scientific evidence and clinical studies

In contrast to many herbal medicines (Phytopharmaceuticals), there are hardly any high-quality clinical studies on their effectiveness.

There is not a single randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study on Schuessler salts. Nor have any clinical studies (as of 2024) been conducted (Source_1 / Source_2).

Although the lack of clear scientific evidence does not necessarily mean that Schuessler salts have no effect, it does mean that such an effect has not yet been proven and that no specific biochemical effect can be expected from a pharmacological point of view due to the minimal concentrations of active ingredients.

Explanatory approaches for subjective effects

Now „enthusiastic supporters“ of Schuessler salts are asking themselves the legitimate question „Why do they help then?“

The following points should be considered:

• Placebo effect
  Expectation and trust in a therapy can demonstrably bring about physiological changes. The placebo effect is particularly pronounced in the case of pain, mood disorders and functional complaints - precisely those areas in which Schuessler salts are frequently used.
• Self-limiting diseases
  Many complaints for which Schuessler salts are used (mild colds, temporary tension, stress symptoms) subside on their own, even without treatment. The temporal coincidence of intake and improvement is then interpreted as a causal relationship.
• Attention and rituals
  Regular intake, a focus on your own health and possibly advice from a therapist can have positive effects in their own right.
• Fluid intake
  The recommended intake with plenty of water can be helpful for some complaints (headaches, tiredness).

Side effects and risks

Schuessler salts are considered to have few side effects due to their minimal concentration of active ingredients. Nevertheless, the following points should be noted:

• Direct side effects
  The carrier substances can cause problems for sensitive people. People with lactose intolerance may react to the lactose tablets with digestive problems. Gluten intolerance may be relevant for preparations containing wheat starch.
• Indirect risks
  The real danger lies in replacing evidence-based therapies with Schuessler salts. If serious illnesses are treated exclusively with Schuessler salts, this can lead to delays in therapy and deterioration. An iron deficiency cannot be remedied with Ferrum phosphoricum D12, a magnesium deficiency not with Magnesium phosphoricum D6.
• Misdiagnoses
  The facial diagnosis with which Schuessler therapists claim to recognize mineral deficiencies is not scientifically validated. It can lead to misjudgements and conceal actual illnesses.
• False security
  Taking Schuessler salts can give those affected the feeling that they are doing something for their health, while actually necessary measures (dietary changes, medical treatment, lifestyle changes) are not taken.

Case studies from practice

• Calf cramps
  A 52-year-old woman reported that she had suffered from nocturnal calf cramps for years. On the recommendation of a pharmacist, she took Schuessler salt No. 7 (magnesium phosphoricum) and noticed a significant improvement.
  However, she took the tablets with plenty of water and generally increased the amount she drank. She also became more conscious of eating a diet rich in magnesium.
  The improvement can therefore also be explained by the improved fluid intake and change in diet, especially as the amount of active ingredient in the Schuessler salt was pharmacologically irrelevant.
• Cold
  A 35-year-old man took Ferrum phosphoricum D12 (Schuessler salt no. 3), which is considered a „first aid remedy“ for inflammations, at the first signs of a cold.
  The cold was mild and was over after a few days.
  However, most viral infections in healthy adults progress without complications even without treatment, which does not allow a direct link to be established with the intake.
• Osteoporosis
  A problematic situation arose with a 68-year-old woman who took calcium phosphoricum (Schuessler salt no. 2) instead of seeking medical help due to bone pain.
  Only when she fell and fractured a vertebra was she diagnosed with advanced osteoporosis. Here, reliance on Schuessler salts had led to a dangerous delay in treatment.

Commercialization

Schuessler's simple and inexpensive healing system, the reduction of around 1,000 homeopathic remedies to just 12 salts made the therapy accessible to laypeople. The „folk medicine“ that was now available to everyone made tedious visits to the doctor obsolete. The equally simple face diagnosis also boosted sales.

The pharmacist Dr. Willmar Schwabe first recognized the potential of Schuessler salts in 1873 and offered a „pharmacy according to Schuessler“, which he produced according to Schuessler's strict specifications. He even included instructions for use.

Today, four companies sell the Schuessler salts:

• DHU (German Healing Practitioners Union)
• Homeopathic Laboratory Alexander Pflüger GmbH & Co. KG
• Adler Pharma, Austria
• orthim GmbH & Co. KG

Critical debate

The evaluation of Schuessler salts requires a differentiated view on various levels:

Scientific perspective

From a scientific point of view, the effectiveness of Schuessler salts is not plausible. The basic assumption that highly diluted minerals are better absorbed than normal food components contradicts the findings of biochemistry and pharmacology.
Clinical studies have not been able to demonstrate any specific effect.
The theoretical basis - Schüßler's cellular biochemistry of the 19th century - is outdated from today's perspective.

Cultural and psychosocial dimension

Schuessler salts are part of a self-medication culture that is becoming increasingly important to people: Personal responsibility for their own health, the desire for gentle therapies and the need for alternatives to conventional medicine.
These aspects deserve respect, even if the assumed mode of action does not apply.

Ethical issues

The commercial marketing of a product whose efficacy has not been proven is critical. Pharmacies and manufacturers profit from a market worth millions, while consumers pay for a product that ultimately contains no active ingredients.
The lack of information about the actual ingredients, the minimum active ingredient concentrations and the lack of information about indications - resulting from legal requirements - is problematic for the self-determined patient.

Comparison with food supplements

If there really is a mineral deficiency, normal dietary supplements or a targeted change in diet would be the more sensible choice. A magnesium tablet with 300 mg active ingredient often costs less than a tube of Schuessler salts with a negligible mineral content.

Integration into the healthcare system

It becomes problematic when Schuessler salts are propagated as a substitute for necessary medical treatments.
As a complementary measure in the sense of a placebo, they can be harmless in the case of mild mood disorders, provided, however, that the patient is informed about the actual ingredients and is not tempted to forego effective therapies that may be indicated.