Potency and Dosage in Homeopathy: The Big Question!

One of the most frequently asked questions in my practice is what potency do I need and how often do I take it?  In this blog I’ll explain what potency means in homeopathy, how doses are determined, and why “less can be more” in this unique healing system.

1. What Does Potency Mean in Homeopathy?

In homeopathy, potency refers not to the amount of a substance but to the degree of its dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking). Each potency level represents how many times the base substance has been diluted and succussed.

The most common scales are:

• Centesimal (C): Each step involves a 1:100 dilution. Example: 30C means the substance has been diluted 100 times, 30 times over.

• Decimal (X): Each step involves a 1:10 dilution. Example: 6X.

• LM (Q): A gentler potency used in liquid form, often for chronic or sensitive cases.

2. Choosing the Right Potency

Homeopaths often choose potency based on several factors such as:

• The nature of the illness:

• The vitality of the patient:

  (Strong, healthy individuals may respond well to higher potencies; sensitive or weakened individuals may do better with lower or LM potencies).

• Sensitivity to remedies:

  (Some people are very responsive to even the smallest doses, while others need repeated doses or higher potencies to notice effects).

3. How Many Doses How Often?

Unlike conventional medicine, dosage in homeopathy is about frequency and observation.

• Single Dose and wait:

  The Classical homeopathy approach is often to recommend one dose and then wait. If improvement begins, no further dose is given unless symptoms return.

• Repetition in Acute Cases:

  In acute illnesses (like fever or injury), doses may be repeated every few hours until improvement is noticed.

  
  

• Chronic Cases:

  Dosing may occur once daily, weekly, or even monthly depending on the potency and patient’s response.

  
  

The golden rule: Stop dosing when improvement begins.

4. A Word of Caution

While over-the-counter remedies for minor ailments are generally safe, chronic or serious conditions should be treated under the supervision of a qualified homeopath. Self-prescribing high potencies or frequent repetition can sometimes cause temporary worsening of symptoms.

(See my blog on Acute Vs Chronic Prescribing in Homeopathy: What Patients need to know here)

Conclusion

Homeopathy focuses on the individual so two people with the same diagnosis may need completely different remedies or potencies. The “right” potency and dosage depend on the whole person, not just the disease name. It’s important to understand that your homeopath will evaluate various aspects of your individual case to prescribe the most appropriate potency & dose for you. Accurate prescribing helps unlock the body’s potential for deep, lasting healing.

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