As we have been in the midst of cold and flu season for quite some time now, I wanted to start off my series on tissue salts with one of my faves - Ferrum Phosphoricum also known as Ferrum Phosphate or Ferr Phos.

Ferr Phos is the phosphate of iron, and it carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Think of it as the oxygen-carrier. It takes up oxygen from the air inhaled by the lungs and carries it in the blood stream to all parts of the body. When oxygen carriers are deficient, circulation is increased to move oxygen to the extremities, but when this happens the quantity of iron is diminished. This increase to the rate of the motion of blood heats up the body, raising one's temperature causing fever. All across history, from Hippocrates to Koch, it was understood that it is not simply heat that causes distress in a fever patient, but it is the lack of oxygen in the blood due to a deficiency of iron, the carrier of oxygen. 

Ferr Phos is the tissue salt you want on hand at all times during cold and flu season.

You know how we all have a little sign that alerts us to the fact that we are most likely coming down with something? That is when you will take Ferr Phos - at the very first sign of a fever, cold or flu. Ferr Phos should be taken within the first 24-48 hours of symptoms, stopping after 48 hours. This guy has saved me from many near misses already this season. Ferr Phos is an oxygen carrier and can also help with Inflammation, nerves, hemoglobin, hemorrhages, fatigue, nosebleeds, and it helps with wound healing.    

For anyone that may be anemic (low circulating iron in the blood) but with high ferritin levels – this is a great salt to take. When ferritin levels are high but you are anemic, it means the body is taking in iron but it does not absorb it. High ferritin levels in the body is dangerous – think of it as the body “rusting”.

In this case, you would take Ferr Phos and rotate it with the tissue salt Calc Phos which I will cover in the weeks to come.   

In an acute situation that is severe such as a nosebleed, nerve pain, hemorrhage or high fever, as an adult you would want to take 2-3 tablets every 30-60 minutes until the pain or symptoms subside. You can give children 1-2 tablets and infants 1 tablet. In an acute moderate situation such as oncoming cold or flu, cough or bearable pain, you would take 2-3 tablets every 2-3 hours until symptoms subside.

Repeat according to the severity of the symptoms. Stop on improvement. Repeat as needed.

You can also take tissue salts in chronic conditions – lets use the anemia example. In this case you would take 2-3 tablets, 2-3x per day for 5 weeks, or you can even finish the full bottle. Taking little breaks is important so the body does not develop a tolerance. In this situation, you would take the tissue salt either for 5 days on with 2 days off, or for 3 weeks on with one week off over many months.

When taking tissue salts, tip the tablets into the lid and drop them into your mouth. Avoid touching the cap to your mouth. It is also important to try to avoid food for 10-20 mins before and after taking the salts, and take away from coffee or mint products as it will not be properly absorbed. 

It is important to always let your symptoms guide you, and if you experience any side effect or worsening of symptoms then stop taking them. As your symptoms improve – take less often.

Listen to your body and make a note of what you notice. These are incredibly powerful healers, and I can attest that I have had great success with them both personally and with my patients! Please be sure to share your success stories with me! 

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Tissue Salts are a part of Homeopathic Medicine.

Homeopathy, the medicine of energy, is a medical system based on the belief that the body can cure itself by strengthening its own defense mechanisms by using substances selected for their energy-giving properties. Homeopaths use tiny amounts of natural substances, like plants, herbs, minerals, chemicals, disease products or allopathic drugs which are potentized.

You can find more information on the power of Homeopathy HERE

Warnings

Consult a health care practitioner before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Keep out of reach of children.

Claims made from traditional homeopathic references, not scientific evidence.