Wilhelm Heinrich Schüssler—Inventor of Schüssler Salts

Wilhelm Schüssler (1821–1898) was born in a small spa town in North Germany and started his professional life as a teacher. Later he studied medicine, obtained his medical licence in 1859, and then practised as a homeopath in Oldenburg, near his place of birth. Having become increasingly disenchanted with homeopathy, he created his own form of treatment, the ‘Schüssler Salts’ in the mid-1870s. Like homeopathic remedies, they are highly diluted but do not rely on homeopathy’s axiom of ‘like cures like’. Schüssler Salts were largely ignored by conventional medicine but strongly opposed by homeopaths. Yet, they did gain a considerable following amongst laypeople. After his death, several loyal followers made sure Schüssler’s legacy would not be forgotten. During the Third Reich, they made a significant come-back and have remained popular ever since.