What are potency and dose in homeopathy?
- hirokohomeopathy
- 2024年2月15日
- 読了時間: 7分
更新日：2 日前
What Is Homeopathic Potency & How Do You Choose It?
If you are new to homeopathy, you may wonder what the numbers and letters on a remedy mean — and whether a higher potency is always better.
In this guide, I explain what homeopathic potency means, how potency and dosage are approached in homeopathy, and what factors homeopaths may consider when choosing a potency.
Keyword : potency, homeopathy, strength, how to choose potency, dosage, duration, minumum dose, proving
When I work at the homeopathic pharmacy and ask customers "Which potency do you want to buy?", people answer "Please make the strongest potency". But homeopathy does not work like that. Because the potency is not strong or weak. Each potency has its job to do.
I am explaining here about the "potency".
Tip #1 - Dilutions and succussions
Potency is based on the dilutions and succussions.
X (D or DH in some areas): this is one in ten dilution.
C (CH in some areas): this is one in a hundred dilution
LM potency: This is one in 50,000 dilutions.
When making remedies, the remedy is succussed in each process of dilution. This process makes unique frequencies of the remedy.
When you see H or K after the C, for example, 30CH or 1MK. This "H" stands for the Harnemannian Method using a new container for each dilution. it is described in the picture below.
The "K" stands for the Korsakovian method of using a single container for a series of dilutions. This method is used in the machine for making higher potencies.
You don't need to worry about these when you purchase remedies. This only shows how to dispense the remedies.
Tip #2 - Are your symptoms physical or emotional?
In homeopathic practice, practitioners may consider whether a person's symptoms are mainly physical, emotional or a combination of both when selecting a potency.
The choice of potency can also depend on the individual, the nature of the symptoms and the homeopath's approach.
When you choose a potency, you should think about the symptoms used for physical or emotional conditions.
Most remedy kits from homeopathic pharmacies use 30c and 200c. The 30c is the most commonly used for general home care sets and the 200c is the more intense conditions like Accident and Emergency, and Childbirth kits.
It is said that the 30c is covered with both physical and emotional symptoms and it is easily used in both conditions.
The most commonly used potencies are as follows,
3X, 6X, 9X, 12X, 3C, 6C (European people use 5C, 7C, 9C), 12C, 18C, 30C, 200C, 1M, 10M, 50M, CM, MM
Some particular remedies use specific potencies which are not listed above.
In between potencies will be charged extra. Please ask the pharmacies about it.
Tip #3 - Intensity
In homeopathic practice, the intensity and suddenness of symptoms may be among the factors considered when choosing a potency.
For example, an acute or sudden presentation may be approached differently from a longer-standing pattern. The appropriate potency depends on the individual case and the practitioner's assessment.
Tip #4 - How is your energy level?
In homeopathic practice, practitioners may also consider a person's overall state, including their general wellbeing, vitality and the nature of their symptoms, when selecting a potency.
These considerations are part of the traditional homeopathic approach and may vary between practitioners.
To sum up,
Low potency
Remedies with potencies like 3X, 6X, 9X, and 3C are considered very low. They operate on a basic physical or material level, directly impacting cellular and biochemical levels. Low potencies, ranging from 12X, 6C, to 12C, target specific tissues and entire organs, such as the skin, liver, or heart. Generally, low potencies are effective for a short duration, and work well when vitality is low, or when there are many obstacles to healing, such as conventional drugs, steroids, and suppressive creams.
If you want to know about "obstacles to cure", please click the button below.
Medium potency
A medium potency, represented by 30C, is commonly available and frequently used. Medium potencies have the ability to impact the entire organ system.
High potency
In homeopathic practice, higher potencies such as 200C and 1M are often considered when the overall symptom picture is more complex or when emotional and psychological aspects are an important part of the case.
Very high potencies such as 10M, 50M, and CM may be used by some practitioners in particular cases. The choice of potency depends on the individual and the practitioner's assessment.
Tip #5 - Form
Remedies are sold in various forms.
Tablets: Hard tablet-shaped, usually made of lactose and sugar.
Pillues: They are shaped like round balls and are made of sugar. There are various sizes Tritulation: Also called Soft Tablet. It is a soft pill made from lactose.
Granules: Granules made of sugar
Powders: Lactose powder, usually prescribed in single packets
Liquid Potencies: Made from 23% or 10%alcohol, take the prescribed number of drops in your mouth or with a spoon.
LM Potencies: Made from 10% alcohol, take the prescribed number of drops in your mouth or with a spoon.
Some pharmacies make Liquid Remedy using only water. Please ask your pharmacy. However, please note that the shelf life is short as it only contains water.
Tip #6 - Dosage and duration
When you decide which potency to take, you need to know "How often" and "How long?" to take remedies.
Homeopathy is a vibrational medicine. The amount is not important. If you are big or small, the dose is the same. The same dose is from a newborn baby to an adult.
If you take a whole bottle or 1 tablet, the effect is the same. Each homeopath prescribes slightly differently, but in general, 1 pill/tablet/ drop is one dose.
The frequency (How often) is the key. Normally, lower potency is used more often and higher potency is given less often because the higher potency can hold the energy longer if you have enough vital force to deal with the chosen potency.
For acute symptoms, some homeopaths may recommend using a remedy at shorter intervals for a limited period. The frequency of use depends on the individual case, the remedy, potency and the practitioner's approach.
Once symptoms improve or change, it is important to reassess rather than continuing to take the remedy automatically.
Once the symptoms are relieved, you can stop taking the remedies and observe the symptoms. You don't need to take anymore, because the remedy is still working and having a minimum dose is very important when using homeopathy.
I am explaining about it below.
Tip #7 - Just one caution with the Proving
When you think of "wrong" potency and it does not seem to work, please stop taking the remedy. Because the Proving may happen.
Proving is symptoms like a remedy picture. If you keep taking it, the symptoms of the remedy appear. If you are self-prescribing, then you feel better, please stop and observe.
(except your homeopath's prescription. Please stick to the directions from your homeopath's prescription).
This is called the "Law of minimum dose". Please do not forget this rule.
If you would like to know about the basic rules of homeopathy, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Tip #8 -What might happen after a remedy is taken.
There are a number of things that might happen after you have taken the remedy for acute conditions.
1. Nothing changes
If you don’t see any changes at all in your symptoms, please, take another dose of the remedy.
If you have taken three doses then please change the remedy to another. And repeat the process.
2. The symptoms stop and then return after a while.
If this happens then please repeat the remedy again. If you have taken 3 doses of the remedy then you need to go higher in potency with the same remedy.
3. The symptoms stop and don’t return.
Please stop the remedies and wait
4. The symptoms change.
You need to check a detailed account of the new symptoms because it is likely you will either need to change the remedy, stop the remedy or go higher in potency. You cannot decide which is most appropriate until you know how your body reacts and you can observe the new symptoms.
Are you ready?
I hope this description helps you to choose the potency. Please consider the above tips, and you then decide the potency to use.
To sum up, after selecting the appropriate remedy with the right potency, please observe the symptoms.
When there are no reactions, reassess the remedy and potency
The remedy is working but worn out very quickly, take it more often (intense conditions like fever every 2 hours etc.) or consider higher potency
When you see the reaction, please don’t take it anymore and wait until the response has finished.
When symptoms change, change the remedy
If you use homeopathy at home or with family, you can try different potencies and discover which potency works better.
I believe that learning through experience can be a helpful way to understand how potency is approached in homeopathy.
In homeopathic practice, if a remedy does not appear to be helping, the potency, remedy choice and frequency of use may be reassessed rather than simply continuing the same approach.
If you are unsure about how to choose or use a potency, a consultation with a qualified homeopath can help you explore your individual situation in more detail.
Please remember that homeopathy should not be used as a substitute for appropriate medical diagnosis or treatment.
But please remember that you can not continue a wrong potency for a long time. Because Proving may happen.
Happy using homeopathy!
Understanding the basic principles of potency is a helpful first step, but choosing how and when to use a remedy can feel confusing when you are just starting out.
If you would like to explore potency and dosage in more detail and learn at your own pace, I have created a free e-book that brings these key points together in one simple guide.
If you are interested in how to care for homeopathic remedies, please click the button below for more details.
If you are unsure which approach may be appropriate for your individual situation, a personalised consultation can give you the opportunity to discuss your symptoms, overall health and individual needs in more detail.
If you would like to explore whether working together could be right for you, you are welcome to book a consultation with me.
Love and gratitude
Hiroko
Reference :
Hershoff. A. (2000) Homoeopathic Remedies A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Homeopathic Treatments. Avery. New York. the USA.