Schuessler Tissue Salts Calc Phos

Calc Phos is a traditional product with a name that sounds like a nutrient, so these are the questions our naturopaths ask in store before you buy it.

A good fit if

• You're following the tissue salt tradition and No. 2 is the salt you're after
• You understand it's traditional use and not a calcium supplement
• You want the spray because you're avoiding lactose

Check with us first if

• It's for a baby or young child. There's no safety data for tissue salts in children beyond teething studies with very low certainty.
• You're pregnant or breastfeeding. There's no specific evidence either way.
• You're avoiding lactose, which most tablets are made with, or you're managing your blood sugar or tooth decay, because some tablets use sucrose.
• You already take a calcium supplement and want to know how the two differ.

• Calc Phos 6X tablets. Best known for: The standard retail form, at the potency Schüssler used. Absorption: Not applicable; there's no nutritional dose of calcium to absorb. Typical use: Let it dissolve on your tongue, following the pack directions.
• Calc Phos oral spray. Best known for: A liquid carrier instead of a lactose tablet. Absorption: Not applicable at 6X. Typical use: If you're avoiding lactose, or for children who won't take a tablet.
• 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 indication says.
• A calcium supplement instead. Best known for: A measured milligram dose of calcium. Absorption: Well studied, and how much you absorb depends on the dose. Typical use: When you're genuinely not getting enough calcium.

Reference values. The calcium figures don't apply to this product. For context, the NHMRC sets calcium at 500 mg a day for children aged 1 to 3 and 1,300 mg a day for teenagers aged 12 to 18. A 6X tablet adds nothing meaningful towards either.

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

Upper level. Australia's permitted ingredients list (Schedule 1) sets no daily cap on calcium phosphate in homoeopathic use, because there's no meaningful amount to cap. The NHMRC upper limit of 2,500 mg a day applies to calcium as a nutrient, not to a 6X tablet.

Worth knowing. If you're worried about your calcium intake, this isn't the kind of product that fixes it. 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 calcium that bones and teeth actually use comes from food and, where needed, from a nutritional supplement, not from Calc Phos.

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

• If you actually need calcium. A 6X tablet supplies no nutritional dose of calcium.
• Babies and children. There's no safety data for tissue salts in children, and the teething evidence is very low certainty.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. We found no specific evidence.
• If you're avoiding lactose. Homoeopathic tablets are made by repeatedly grinding the ingredient into lactose.
• If you're managing blood glucose or tooth decay. Some homoeopathic tablets contain sucrose, which is a permitted excipient.
• Any condition that needs a diagnosis. The main risk is delaying care that works.
• If you take prescription medicines, check with your doctor, pharmacist or our naturopaths before you start.