Biochemic Therapy
How can biochemic therapy nourish you?
Originally developed in the late 19th century by Dr Wilhelm Schuessler, biochemic therapy is based on the premise that many ailments are the result of impaired cellular function. Dr Schuessler identified 12 mineral salts that he believed were crucial for optimal cell metabolism, and postulated that an imbalance of these salts in the tissues of the body was what caused the symptoms of various illnesses.
Dr Shuessler suggested that restoring the balance of these minerals by consuming very small concentrations of key mineral salts several times a day, would provide the body’s cells with the nutrition they required. Once the balance of inorganic mineral salts in the body’s tissues was returned to normal, it was believed that the person’s overall health would improve from the cellular level.
Benefits of biochemic therapy
Despite the scarcity of academic evidence supporting its effectiveness, biochemic therapy continues to be a popular treatment, and its reported mechanism of action does bear similarities to the principle of vitamin and mineral supplementation in Western medicine.
The first key difference is that biochemic therapy is intended as an application of homeopathic cell salts that stimulate the body’s ability to absorb more of the nutrients needed at cellular level. The second is that the mineral salts are intended to be absorbed directly by the mucous membranes of the mouth instead of passing through the digestive system.
One trial in 1980 suggested biochemic therapy may have supported the treatment of cancerous tumours in experimental mice, although more research would be required before extrapolating these results to human subjects.
Biochemic therapy may assist in relieving symptoms related to:
What to expect from a biochemic therapy session
Dr Schuessler noted that disorders of cell metabolism could have visible effects on a person’s skin, nails and eyes. For this reason, one unique aspect of biochemical therapy is that mineral salt imbalances are often diagnosed by the practitioner examining your face.
You will be prescribed pills containing very dilute concentrations of the cell salts that are intended to remedy specific complaints. For example, if you frequently suffer from cramps or muscle spasms, magnesium phosphate is likely to be prescribed. The mineral salts are normally mixed with lactose into pill form to be dissolved in your mouth, but if you are lactose intolerant, you can also take tissue salts as sprays or drops.
As with any exercise or wellness program, please consult your medical professional before commencing biochemic therapy. If you have an injury or other health issue, or any concerns at all, also speak to your biochemic therapy practitioner, who will be happy to address these and help you evaluate whether this form of treatment is right for you.
References
Cell Salts: 12 Therapeutic Allies | txoptions.com
Biochemistry | Institute of Biochemic Medicine, Asia Pacific
Homeopathy 101, a beginner's guide: tissue salts | fiorebody.com
Biochemic Therapy | cascadehealthclinic.org
Vitamin and mineral supplements | BetterHealth Channel, Victoria
FAQs | schuesslertissuesalts.com.au
Cure of cancer in experimental mice with certain biochemic salts | The British Homeopathic Journal
Biochemic Medicine | Institute of Biochemic Medicine, Asia Pacific
Biochemic Remedy/ Tissue Salts/ Schussler’s Salts | holistic-medicine.com
Health Uses of Biochemic Tissue Salts | verywellhealth.com
Schuessler’s Tissue Salts – A Medicine Chest for the Whole Family | homeopathyplus.co