.png)
.png){kind=small}
Beyond the Original Twelve: Exploring the Expanded World of Schüessler Cell Salts (13–33)
- Kelsey Bartley
- 20 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Most people familiar with Schüessler tissue salts are introduced to the original twelve mineral remedies developed by Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schüessler in the late 19th century. These foundational salts form the biochemical framework for cellular communication, mineral balance, and constitutional support.
What is far less discussed—yet equally important—is that Schüessler’s work did not stop with those twelve.
In the decades following his research, students and successors of Dr. Schüessler continued to explore additional mineral compounds, observing their effects on tissue health, endocrine balance, detoxification pathways, metabolism, and the nervous system. Through continued clinical use, these remedies became known as the additional or expanded cell salts, often numbered 13–33, and are sometimes referred to as the forgotten cell salts.
While not universally adopted across all schools of homeopathy, these additional salts are still used by practitioners worldwide who work constitutionally and individually, just as Schüessler originally intended.
This article explores the expanded cell salts (13–33), their traditional areas of affinity, and the facial and constitutional signs often used to guide their selection.
Cell Salts vs. Classical Homeopathy: An Important Distinction
Although Schüessler cell salts are often grouped under the umbrella of homeopathy, they function very differently from classical homeopathic remedies.
Classical Homeopathy: Stimulation
Classical homeopathy works by stimulating the vital force using highly diluted remedies chosen according to the principle of “like cures like.” These remedies are typically used in high potencies (30C, 200C, and above) and act as energetic signals rather than nutritional substances.
Homeopathy activates the body’s healing response; it does not provide material minerals.
Schüessler Cell Salts: Feeding with Instructions
Schüessler cell salts are a form of biochemical tissue nutrition. They are prepared only in low decimal potencies—3X, 6X, or 12X—where the mineral substance is still materially present and bioavailable to the cell.
Cell salts:
Feed deficient tissues
Supply minerals in a recognizable, assimilable form
Deliver the mineral with a functional “instruction” to the cell
They are never used in high potencies, as that would shift them into purely energetic remedies and remove their biochemical role.
In practice, many clinicians use homeopathy to stimulate and cell salts to nourish and stabilize, especially in chronic or layered patterns.
Why the Expanded Cell Salts Matter
The original twelve tissue salts primarily support:
Structural integrity
Cellular communication
Acute and foundational imbalances
The expanded salts (13–33) extend this system into deeper terrain:
Endocrine and hormonal regulation
Nervous system and emotional balance
Detoxification and elimination pathways
Metabolic dysfunction
Skin, lymphatic, and liver congestion
As with all tissue salts, they are selected based on patterns, not diagnoses.
Expanded Schüessler Cell Salts (13–27)
13. Potassium Arsenite (Kalium Arsenicum – Kali Ars)
Supports the thyroid, nervous system, skin, hair, liver, kidneys, and brain. Often used in panic states, anxiety, and depleted vitality.
Facial signs include sunken cheeks, scaly eczema, unexplained scratches, and sunken eyes.
14. Potassium Bromide (Kalium Bromatum – Kali Brom)
Supports the endocrine and nervous systems, particularly in overstimulation. Used in hyperthyroid patterns, insomnia, acne, and neuralgia.
Facial signs include a worried expression, protruding eyes, tired eyes, and acne.
15. Potassium Iodide (Kalium Iodatum – Kali Iod)
Strong thyroid affinity with support for kidneys, liver, glands, skin, and hair.
Facial signs include goiter, throat clearing, eye misalignment, sweaty forehead.
16. Lithium Muriaticum (Lithium Chloride – Lith Mur)
Supports lungs, metabolism, nervous system, and emotional regulation.
Facial signs include reddened or swollen eyes, frequent blinking, eczema, tired appearance.
17. Manganese Sulfate (Manganum Sulfuricum – Mang Sulf)
Supports blood formation, cartilage, metabolism, and nervous system function.
18. Calcium Sulfide (Calcarea Sulfide – Calc Sulf)
Supports skin, mucous membranes, muscles, and detoxification.
Facial signs include pallor, scaly rashes, yellow undertones, fatigue.
19. Copper Arsenite (Cuprum Arsenicum – Cup Ars)
Supports liver, gallbladder, digestion, nervous system, and heavy metal clearance.
Facial signs include bluish or pale skin, wrinkles, excess saliva, sweating.
20. Potassium Aluminum Sulfate (Kalium Alum Sulphuricum – Kali Alum Sulph)
Supports digestion, nervous system, skin, and muscles.
Facial signs include nasal crusting, dry skin, unexplained scratches.
21. Zinc Chloride (Zinc Muriaticum – Zinc Mur)
Essential to every cell; supports immunity, metabolism, fertility, and nerves.
Facial signs include cystic acne and cold sores.
22. Calcium Carbonate (Calcarea Carbonicum – Calc Carb)
Supports lymphatic system, bones, metabolism, vitality, and development.
Facial signs include puffiness, large pores, dermatitis, thick hair.
23. Sodium Bicarbonate (Natrum Bicarbonicum – Nat Bicarb)
Supports acid–base balance, kidneys, metabolism, and detoxification.
Facial signs include redness, enlarged pores, facial rashes.
24. Arsenic Iodide (Arsenicum Iodatum – Ars Iod)
Supports hormonal balance, lymphatic drainage, lungs, and skin.
Facial signs include bloodshot eyes, acne, narrow cheeks, rashes.
25. Gold Chloride Sodium (Aurum Muriaticum Natrum – Aurum Mur Nat)
Supports pineal gland, circadian rhythm, liver, heart, and reproductive system.
Facial signs include facial warts and itching.
26. Selenium (Sel)
Powerful antioxidant supporting liver, metabolism, blood vessels, and vitality.
Facial signs include liver spots, cold sores, jaundiced undertones.
27. Potassium Dichromate (Kalium Chrominicum – Kali Dichrom)
Supports blood sugar regulation and metabolism.
Facial signs include facial ulcers, premature gray hair, runny nose.
Additional Cell Salts (28–33)
These salts are less commonly discussed but are included by some practitioners and manufacturers in expanded biochemic systems.
28. Sodium Vanadate (Natrum Vanadinicum – Nat Van)
Associated with blood sugar regulation, circulation, and metabolic balance.
29. Cobalt (Cobaltum Metallicum – Cob)
Supports blood formation, nervous system resilience, and endocrine balance.
30. Nickel Sulfate (Niccolum sulfuricum – Nicc Sulf)
Linked with immune regulation, hormone balance, and inflammatory patterns.
31. Tin (Stannum Metallicum – Stann)
Supports nervous system fatigue, weakness, and neuromuscular coordination.
32. Sodium Tetraborate / Borax (Natrum Tetraboracicum – Nat Bor)
Associated with calcium metabolism, joints, hormones, and connective tissue.
33. Molybdenum Sulfate (Molybdenum Sulfuratum – Moly Sulf)
Supports liver detoxification, sulfur metabolism, and enzyme activity.
Where to Purchase the Additional Cell Salts (13–33)
The expanded cell salts are not always widely available through mainstream retailers and often require specialty sourcing.
A reliable source offering individual and combination expanded cell salts, including 28–33, is:
I & E Organics Apothecary
When purchasing, look for:
Low potencies only (3X–12X)
Clear Latin remedy names
Reputable homeopathic or biochemic manufacturers
Some salts may be available individually, while others are offered in combination formulas.
Because these remedies work on deeper constitutional and detoxification pathways, selection is best done intentionally, ideally with practitioner guidance.
A Note for Deeper Study
If you want to better understand the original twelve cell salts and how birth salts and astrology intersect with mineral needs, you can start here:
The Healing Spark of Schüessler Cell Salts:How Biochemistry and Astrology Reveal Your Body’s Deepest Needshttps://www.kelseybartleyhealth.com/post/the-healing-spark-of-sch%C3%BCessler-cell-salts-how-biochemistry-and-astrology-reveal-your-body-s-deepes
That article lays the foundation for understanding:
The original twelve Schüessler cell salts
Birth salt theory
Constitutional mineral patterns
Closing Thoughts
The expanded Schüessler cell salts remind us that healing at the cellular level is rarely simplistic. While the original twelve form a powerful foundation, the additional salts widen the lens—revealing how mineral imbalance can quietly shape hormones, mood, metabolism, detoxification, and long-term vitality.
These remedies are not meant to be used casually or reactively. They invite a slower, more intentional approach—one that looks beyond symptoms and into patterns, tissues, and constitution. When chosen well, cell salts do not force change; they provide the raw materials and instructions the body needs to restore balance on its own terms.
Used alongside foundational nutrition, lifestyle support, and classical homeopathy, the expanded cell salts can become a subtle but powerful ally in complex or chronic cases. They offer stability where stimulation alone may be insufficient, and nourishment where the system has long been depleted.
If you are just beginning your journey with cell salts, start with the foundations. Learn the original twelve, understand your constitutional and birth salts, and then explore the expanded salts as deeper layers reveal themselves. Healing unfolds in stages—and the body always responds best when it is met with clarity, patience, and respect.
Every body has different mineral needs. If you’re curious about how cell salts may support your health journey, a Natural Health Evaluation can help determine what’s right for you: