Homeopathic Acute, Constiutional, Drainage Remedies and Cell Salts

Which is which and what are they all for?

If you are a fan of homeopathy, follow homeopathy on social media or read homeopathy books for fun, you’ve likely come across these words for different homeopathic remedies.  But it’s not always clear to the casual observer what they all mean. Homeopathy can be easy to use but it can also be quite confusing when you find yourself getting into the weeds. You think you have found the perfect homeopathic remedy for your child’s sore throat but then you come across an article on Strep Tilch.  You wonder whether they need a constitutional remedy since this is their third sore throat in two months and down the rabbit hole you have gone.

The world of homeopathy is easy to understand if you are scratching the surface.  It’s why tubes of homeopathic remedies are easily accessible and many families have adopted homeopathy as their go-to medicine in case of first aid, runny noses or run of the mill colds. It’s fantastic that we are in a place where homeopathy is so well known however, what is known by the general public is just the tip of the iceberg.

The medical art of homeopathy is vast and wide.  While there are perhaps a few hundred remedies known to the public, homeopaths have access to almost 10,000. But don’t let that idea dissuade you from learning more.  It’s one of the things I love about homeopathy - there is always more to learn.  Let’s explore what some of these types of remedies are.

Cell Salts 

Cell salts are also known as Schussler’s Tissue Salts.  They were developed in the 1870s by a homeopath named Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schussler, a German physician who was also trained in homeopathy. He was working from the premise that disease was the result of a mineral deficiency in the tissues. He developed the tissue salts in an effort to help the body assimilate necessary minerals to restore organs and tissues back to health. Cell salts are prepared on the X potency scale, which is different from the C or M potencies that you may be familiar with.  The X potency scale requires dilutions of ten, meaning one drop of the mother tincture is diluted into 9 drops of alcohol and from there the ascending potencies are created.

Cell salts or tissue salts are considered to be supportive for assimilation, cell or organ support and mineralization of bones and teeth. They are known to act on a physical level, meaning that we do not assess the mental or emotional state when we are considering the correct cell salt.

My Cell Salt Immune Booster is a combination of the original twelve cell salts and is what I recommend clients take when they are starting to get sick but have no distinct symptoms yet.

Acute and Constitutional Remedies

People are often surprised to find out that there is no such thing as an “acute homeopathic remedy”. There are remedies that we use acutely, but those can and are used constitutionally as well.  Arnica is a good example.  Arnica is considered the best “acute” remedy for injury and blunt trauma.  But it’s also a fantastic “constitutional” remedy for someone who is always bracing, as if waiting for another blow. They are chronically tense and sore and don’t want to be touched.

Using a remedy acutely means that there is a distinct beginning, middle and end to the illness or first aid situation. In the example of Arnica, if you are taking the remedy following a dental procedure, there was a distinct beginning (the procedure), the middle where you are healing and the end where the pain resolves. The tooth heals and you are on your way. Acute illnesses follow this pattern as well.  The flu has it’s beginning stages of starting to feel unwell, the middle stage where you are sick in bed with aching bones and then the recovery. These stages of illness are what distinguish whether a remedy is being used acutely or constitutionally, it’s not determined by what remedy you are using.

Constitutional homeopathic care means that remedies are employed in cases of chronic illness. We are all familiar with chronic illness.  This does not necessarily mean a certain diagnosis or debilitating disease. This could mean chronic sore throats, allergies, persistent back pain, depression, anxiety or eczema.

Clients arrive to the first session with a main concern or symptom that is particularly nagging.  In this example, we’ll choose warts. In that first session I hear all about the warts including when they showed up, how painful they are, how ugly they are, how much you want them to go away and how embarrassed you feel about them. Following that first session, I send your remedy and we wait, watching what happens.  At the next session eight weeks later you tell me all about how your life has changed.  You feel more confident, less anxious and have more energy. You had an interaction with the neighbor who usually drives you nuts but this time they were quite pleasant. Your dreams are fun and your sleep is refreshing. At the end of your session I ask about the warts.  “Oh my gosh, they are much better and a few of them have gone away!”

This is how it goes with constitutional care. People arrive to my practice with a specific concern and stay long term because of the overall benefits.  Homeopathy supports us through our lives.  There are periods in our lives of transition, excitement, anxiety, pain and grief. We don’t just heal.  We are always healing.  You are and I am too.  Having the support of the homeopathic session along with a well chosen remedy, help to make all of life easier while also keeping you physically healthy throughout.

Drainage Remedies

So then what are “drainage” remedies? Just as there are no specific acute or constitutional remedies, there are no specific drainage remedies either.  All homeopathic remedies and cell salts may be used for “drainage”. This was a concept developed by homeopaths following Hahnemann in the late 1800 and early 1900s. It was observed that ill patients often appear congested in some way, whether that be swelling of the lymph nodes or sluggish organs of elimination that result in chronic constipation or scanty urine. Homeopathic remedies were used in low potencies, often specifically chosen for the organ specifically, to help support that organ.  Some remedies used in this way include Chelidonium majus, a classic remedy known for its liver affinity or the remedy Lymph Node, a remedy made from lymph tissue. These are often prescribed in low potencies in addition to a regular constitutional remedy. Using remedies in this way was not developed nor supported by Hahnemann and thus are not considered “classical homeopathy”.

I hope these descriptions help to shed a little light on these terms.  Watch for an upcoming post where I share a homeopathic vocabulary quick reference.  And if you have questions for me about these topics or anything else homeopathy related, send me a message!

Be loved,

Desirée

Cell Salt Immune Booster

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