by Joette Calabrese, HMC
Integrating the use of Cell Salts with constitutional homeopathic treatment is a unique treatment strategy that can improve symptomatic relief and support a more successful outcome. The approach involves developing an understanding of these remedies as a unique sub-system of homeopathy, based on Schuessler's "Biochemic Theory", as well as a thorough understanding of the symptom pictures associated with these remedies.
To demonstrate this approach, let's consider the case of my cousin, Maria with dysmenorrhoea. Maria's painful menses was a ten year problem prior to homeopathic treatment. After homeopathic treatment, her monthly "periods" became more regular, lasting four days, were virtually painless and unobtrusive to her life. Homeopathy has a way of eliminating common complaints like this in relatively short order. This kind of result is what homeopaths often experience and come to expect; quick, safe and inexpensive relief of many chronic as well as acute illnesses. When classical homeopaths are presented with such cases, it is a common practice to prescribe a remedy in a 200 potency for a few days and then wait. While this is a valid approach, achieving a successful outcome can take more time. If the patient is not willing or able to go through this process, the results can be disappointing for the patient and the practitioner.
This is one reason I encourage students to use cell salts as a first approach. I've also learned about this technique from personal experience, untiring study of the works of the masters, and working with Dr. Ramakrishnan in India. That is, to administer a 200 potency of the constitutional remedy four times per day, one day each week and give the best indicated corresponding cell salt, simultaneously.
Why cell salts? I teach my students that cell salts are "the easy homeopathy" because they require little mastery. The choices are more direct and manageable. At the same time these twelve cell salts are powerful little gems. While waiting for the higher potency of the constitutional remedy to take effect, the addition of cell salts can soften the discomforts and catapult a case off to a sterling start. This is particularly valuable if an aggravation ensues. However, if you try this approach, you won't find many aggravations and those that do appear are usually mild and endurable. The addition of a corresponding cell salt is a welcome cadence in a potential storm of symptoms.
In Maria's case, she described her symptoms of painful menses with a tremble and a touch of hysteria in her voice. Lachesis 200c was indicated because she also had a sarcastic edge and uncomfortable swallowing on nights when she couldn't sleep. To encourage calm and round out the effect of the Lachesis, a twice daily dose of Calc phos 6x was included. This precious cell salt acts as a "nervine", particularly for petite, active, women. It's also a gentle sleep aid that restores refreshing sleep. Parenthetically, I never read this anywhere. Instead, an elderly woman reported the miraculous ability of Calc phos 6x in eliminating her insomnia after she had used it to support the repair of her fractured femur. Ever since then Calc phos 6x is there like a "reliable friend" - a remedy to support insomnia cases.
In addition to Calc phos, Maria also began a routine of using Mag phos 6x at the onset of cramping. Since Mag phos relieves cramping faster when dissolved in a mug of hot water, I like to call it MUG phos! I even have a mug imprinted with "Mug phos" to this at seminars This solidifies the mental image of how to sip the dilution every minute or so until relief is realized. Ahhh! Instant relief that the sufferer can administer as needed.
Maria's ten year old son, Gianni is another case in point. Gianni had food allergies and nervous headaches. Before the repertorization process, he started with a twice daily course of Kali phos 6x for the anxiety and Nat mur 6x for his food sensitivities. Three days later upon further review of the case, Nat mur 200c was indicated. Although he remained on Kali phos 6x, he no longer needed Nat mur 6x in lieu of the higher potency. Once again, he was given the constitutional remedy in a split dose method - four times a day, once each week, along with a dose of Kali phos 6x each morning and at bedtime.
In our busy lives, offering a quick springboard is a benefit that's indispensable. So if you need a few days to work up the case, you can give the sufferer a soothing and efficacious cell salt until your schedule allows time to study the case more thoroughly.
Additionally, the use of cell salts can offer relief from mild to more serious symptoms without fear of interfering with the work of the constitutional remedy. Moreover, since the potencies are low, even if your patient makes mistakes in administration, the safety of the remedy is assured. Incorporating cell salts with the constitutional remedy picture is a sound technique that's indisputable and mastering the mix is sweeping and satisfying. Cell Salt remedies restore calm, relieve pain, eliminate inflammation, quash angst and even help support bones and tissue. Can we ask for much more?
For more information on Cell Salts - Read "The Path To Vibrant Health and the Biochemic Theory")
12 Cell Salt Remedies
Calc fluor (Calcium Fluoride)
Calc phos (Calcium Phosphate)
Calc sulph (Calcium Sulphate)
Ferrum phos (Iron Phosphate)
Kali mur (Potassium Chloride)
Kali phos (Potassium Phosphate)
Kali sulph (Potassium Sulphate)
Mag phos(Magnesium Phosphate)
Nat mur (Sodium Chloride)
Nat phos (Sodium Phosphate)
Nat sulph (Sodium Sulphate)
Silicea (Silicic Oxide)
Bioplasma (All 12 tissue Salts in One)
Biochemic Phosphates (5 'Phospates" in one)
The Biochemic Handbook (Quick Pocket Reference to Cell Salts)
Download Cell Salt Chart (.pdf) for a quick reference to cell salt uses, functions, and symptoms.
Joette Calabrese, HMC, has been a homeopathic educator and consultant since 1996. She offers seminars on Homeopathy for beginners and intermediates. Her two most requested topics are "Cell Salts, the Easy Homeopathy" and "How to Cure Yourself and Family With Homeopathy". Presently, Ms. Calabrese teaches the first New York State accredited course in homeopathy, "Fundamentals and Principles of Homeopathy" at Daemen College in Amherst, New York. She produces educational tools to empower and promote homeopathy in every household. Her latest CD, "Perform in the Storm" a guide to first-aid for every home is available on her web site www.homeopathyworks.net
