Homeopathy

POTENCY + DOSE

Tamar Henryby
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POTENCY + DOSE

In homeopathy, potency and dose are concepts that guide the selection + administering of remedies. It is important that you have a basic understanding of this when making remedy selections for your family at home.

PREPARING THE REMEDY:

  • Avoid Contamination – Do not touch the pillules with your hands. Instead, carefully tap one into the containers lid or onto a dry, clean spoon. 
  • Timing – Give remedies away from food, ideally 10-15 mins before or after eating, and avoid strong flavours (like caffeine or mint), and teeth brushing, as these may interfere with the remedy’s action.
  • Storage – Store remedies in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odours to maintain their efficacy.

TAKING THE REMEDY:

  • Pillules: Tip or spoon the pillule into the mouth, and under the tongue, and allow to dissolve fully (see note below)
  • Water Remedy: An easier solution for younger children or babies. Put 1-2 pillules into a glass of water, allow it to dissolve and give 1 tsp as directed. Please note x 1 tsp = 1 dose.
  • Liquid Remedies: If using a liquid form, hold the recommended number of drops in the mouth for 20-30 seconds before swallowing (again do not stress if your child is still learning how to do this).

Note: Homeopathic remedies are best absorbed through the mouth’s mucous membranes, allowing them to enter the bloodstream directly and bypass the digestive system

START WITH A SINGLE DOSE:

  • Initial Observation: Begin with one dose and monitor. Remedies stimulate the body’s natural healing response, and observing the initial reaction helps determine if further doses are needed.
  • Minimum Dose: Do not give a remedy too often. In homeopathy, the principle of minimum dose is key – the smallest amount needed is often the most effective, gently stimulating the body’s natural healing without overwhelming it. Remedies work best when given precisely (at first you might need guidance with this from your homeopath) allowing the body’s own vitality to respond, rather than trying to force or rush the process. Repeating too frequently can interfere with the remedy’s action, so careful observation and timing are just as important as the remedy itself.
  • Note: 1 x pillule = 1 dose / 1 tsp of water remedy = 1 dose / 2-3 drops of a liquid remedy = 1 dose

CHOOSING A POTENCY:

Choosing the right potency in homeopathy is an important part of ensuring the remedy effectively supports your child. Most homeopathic kits are supplied in 30c potency, which is suitable for many common acute symptoms/concerns, and is a good place to start.

  • Lower potencies (6c or 12c etc.) are typically used for physical symptoms that develop slowly or persist over time. These remedies often need to be repeated more frequently to gently support the body’s healing process, allowing gradual improvement without overwhelming the system.
  • Higher potencies (200c, 1M etc.) are usually indicated for sudden-onset conditions or pronounced emotional symptoms, where the body or mind needs a stronger stimulus to respond.

WHEN TO REPEAT / STOP: (based on prescribing for an acute condition)

  • Administer the carefully chosen remedy
  • Watch and wait – monitor for change
  • If changes are seen – watch and wait
  • If symptoms start to improve – watch and wait
  • If nothing changes, but remedy is still indicated, repeat after 1 hour
  • If nothing changes after 2 doses, please reach out to a homeopath for support
  • If symptoms return – give a second dose – watch and wait
  • For new symptoms, consider taking the case again to see if a new remedy is now indicated
  • If symptoms improve but continue to return, please consult with a homeopath – a change of potency/dose may be needed

FIRST AID PRESCRIBING

In first aid situations, such as a burn, sting, injury, fever, or sudden emotional shock, the body is in a heightened, dynamic state. Symptoms change rapidly, and the aim of the remedy is to meet that intensity and support the body’s immediate self-correction. Due to this, homeopaths will often use or recommend more frequent dosing (sometimes called rapid dosing) rather than a single dose.

RAPID DOSING

  • The same most indicated remedy is repeated every 10, 15, 20 or 30 minutes – depending on the intensity of the condition, until there is a noticeable improvement
  • Once improvement begins, the remedy is stopped/used less frequently, where the body is allowed to continue healing on its own
  • If symptoms change direction, or plateau, the case is reassessed before repeating or changing the remedy

Even though the law of the minimum dose still applies, in first aid care the minimum dose is measured by the body’s immediate need, not by time. The key is to match the remedy to the vitality and pace of the situation. Once the vital force starts to respond, more doses are no longer beneficial.

When you are starting out, it’s best to be guided by a qualified homeopath, who can help determine not just the potency, but also the timing, frequency, and duration of dosing.

TIPS TO REMEMBER:

  • Less is more – especially in children or sensitive individuals
  • Observe the whole child, not just the symptom
  • Don’t rush to repeat unless clearly indicated
  • In doubt, wait—the remedy may still be working

METHODS OF GIVING A REMEDY TO A BABY

Dissolved in Water or Breastmilk (preferred method)

  • Take 1–2 medicated pillules (or 1 drop of liquid remedy)
  • Dissolve in 4-6 tablespoons of distilled water or breast milk
  • Give x 1 teaspoon of this solution = 1 dose

You may gently administer with a spoon or oral syringe