Owen Homeopathics Ferrum Phos 6C

People often ask about Ferrum Phos at the first sign of something coming on. These are the questions our naturopaths ask in store before you buy.

A good fit if

• You follow the tissue salt tradition and No. 4 is the salt you're after
• You understand it's a traditional use, and that no trial of Ferrum Phos itself has been run
• You want something very low-risk alongside rest, fluids and the basics

Check with us first if

• You're pregnant or breastfeeding. There's no specific evidence either way.
• It's for a child. There's no safety data for tissue salts in children.
• You avoid lactose, which is the usual tablet base, or you're managing blood sugar or tooth decay, as some tablets use sucrose.
• You take prescription medicine. No interactions with a 6X tissue salt have been found, but it's worth checking.

• Ferrum Phos 6X tablets. Best known for: The standard retail form, at the potency Schüssler used. Absorption: Not applicable; there's no nutritional iron dose to absorb. Typical use: Dissolved on the tongue, following the pack directions.
• Spray or liquid tissue salts. Best known for: A water, ethanol or glycerol base instead of a lactose tablet. Absorption: Not applicable at 6X. Typical use: For people avoiding lactose, where a Ferrum Phos liquid is available.
• Combination tissue salt formulas. Best known for: Several salts in one tablet, sold for a named concern. Absorption: Not applicable at 6X. Typical use: Whatever that product's own AUST L claim says.
• Higher potencies (12X, 30C and similar). Best known for: More dilution steps than the 6X Schüssler used. Absorption: Not applicable. Typical use: Individual homoeopathic prescribing, outside the tissue salt system.
• A nutritional iron supplement instead. Best known for: A measured milligram dose, capped at 24 mg of iron a day when it's the active ingredient. Absorption: Well studied; real iron reduces tiredness in adults low in iron. Typical use: When a blood test has confirmed you actually need iron.

Reference values. Iron has its own NHMRC intake target, but it doesn't apply here. A 6X tablet adds nothing meaningful to your iron intake.

Typical supplemental range. Schüssler's own approach, which Australian packs still follow, was the sixth decimal dilution. In his words: "In my practice I generally use the 6th decimal trituration." Directions vary by brand, so follow the label on your pack.

Upper level. Australia's permitted ingredients list (Schedule 1) sets no daily limit for ferric phosphate used homoeopathically. The 24 mg a day iron limit belongs to the separate iron phosphate ingredient used for nutrition, not to a 6X tablet.

Worth knowing. If you think your iron is low, a blood test is the way to find out, not a tissue salt. What you need depends on your age, diet and health, so talk to one of our naturopaths.

The register deliberately doesn't pair tissue salts with food, because doing so implies the tablet supplies the nutrient. The iron your body actually uses comes from food and, where needed, from a nutritional supplement, not from Ferrum Phos.

If any of these sound like you, talk to one of our naturopaths or your doctor before you start.

• If you think your iron is low. Get a blood test rather than treating yourself with a tissue salt.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. We found no specific evidence.
• Children. There's no safety data for tissue salts in children.
• Avoiding lactose. Homoeopathic tablets are made by repeatedly grinding the remedy into lactose.
• Managing blood glucose or tooth decay. Some homoeopathic tablets contain sucrose (sugar).
• If you take prescription medicines, check with your doctor, pharmacist or one of our naturopaths before you start.