The Alphabet of Homeopathic Potency

The Alphabet of Homeopathic Potency

Understanding the Paradox of "Less is More"
By Douglas Brown, CCH, FNP, RSHom(NA)

Perhaps you have wondered what the letter after the number on your homeopathic remedy vial
or packet indicates. The strength of most conventional medications is measured out in
milligrams; of some vitamins and minerals in International Units (IUs) or micrograms. What does
200C, 10M, or 20X signify?

It's simple. X means that a substance is diluted in a ratio of 1:10. C means that a substance is
diluted in a ratio of 1:100. The number preceding the letter indicates the number of times a
substance has been both diluted and agitated (the homeopathic word is sucussed).

Let's go to an example. Suppose that after a consultation I give you a moderately high potency
of a remedy, a 200C. Let's say the remedy is Pulsatilla. To make a 200C, the homeopathic
pharmacy takes one drop of the herbal tincture (called a mother tincture) and mixes it with 100
drops of water (actually at 20% solution of ethyl alcohol; the alcohol acts as a preservative). The
resulting dilution is succussed, producing a 1C potency. Then the cycle is repeated mixing one
drop of the 1C with 100 drops of the solution, which, after being succussed, yields a 2C
potency. After 200 cycles of dilution and succussion a 200C solution is produced, which can be
dropped onto milk sugar pellets which I then hand to you.

What's an M potency? M is the Roman numeral for 1,000, so a 1M means the cycle has been
repeated 1000 times. Similarly, 10M yields a high potency where the dilution and sucussion
process has been repeated 10,000 times. Frequently prescribed remedies can be obtained in
potencies as high as 50M and CM (diluted and sucussed at a 1:100 ratio 50,000 and 100,000
times over, respectively).

How can it be that the more a substance is diluted, the stronger, or more potent, it becomes?
Isn't it a paradox that the highest potencies have the least amount of the original substance?
This paradox resolves when we understand that a remedy acts not as a chemical or material
factor, but rather as an informational field. Through a process that we are just beginning to be
understand, the repetitive dilution and succussion impart a patterning to the molecules of the
diluent. The pattern varies depending upon the nature of the substance to which it is exposed,
and apparently carries information related to the nature of that substance. The more the solution
is diluted and sucussed, the more the pattern becomes coherent, intense and detailed.

Consider this analogy: A slide projector sitting a certain distance from a screen. As we move the
projector further and further away from the screen, the image becomes larger, and we are able
to perceive more details. The image is like the remedy. There is no substance to it; but consider
how powerful a picture can be! The saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" points to the
rich, informational quality of imagery. When the vital force of an organism is presented with the
information conveyed by an appropriately selected image, it is able to use that information to
propel itself back to a position of health and balance. A remedy is like a roadmap which
illustrates exactly how the organism traveled off its intended course. Now that it has this
information, it can turn around and retrace its steps.

There are a number of factors which are considered when deciding upon the potency that's
most appropriate. I'll discuss these in a future article...

Doug Brown, CCH, FNP, RSHom is a graduate of Yale University School of Nursing and the
Hahnemann College of Homeopathy. He became a homeopath when after 11 years of working
with conventional medicine as a Family Nurse Practitioner he remained dissatisfied with its
failure to cure chronic disease and with its fragmentation of care. He treats children and adults
in Portland, OR, and Walla Walla, WA, and can be reached at (503) 253-6334, or by email
at remedymandb@gmail.com

Homeopathic Medicine Potency Selection GuideNovember

15 2014

If you do not know which potency to select, please read the following general suggestions, or
consult your local practitioner:

 Adults and Children who will use the product daily, as a complimentary treatment for a
chronic condition: (Try 12, 15 or 30CH)
 Adults who intend to take only one or two doses, as desired: (Try 30 or 200 CH)
 Children who intend to take only one or two doses, as desired: (Try 30CH)
 Adults or Children, or Pets, where frequent dosing is desired, or where acute situations arise
with frequency (such as bug bites, stress or anxiety): (Try 5CH, 6CH, 7CH, or 12CH, or any of the
mid to low DH potencies.)
Subjective Observations around selecting potency:

 The larger the number, the more times it has been diluted and succused (struck or vigorously
shaken). Generally, one potency is not "stronger" than another, but you may find one to be more
appropriate for you than another, based upon subjective evaluation
 When uncertain about which remedy and potency to choose, we tend to see lower potencies
with more frequent dosing. (Try any of 5, 6 or 7ch.) If you start low, increase potency with
response. Decrease potency if no response, or switch remedy). Selecting a variety of selections
will allow experimentation: they can be combined safely.
 Homeopathic practitioners recognize that there is a significant element of "Trial and Error"
when it comes to selecting a remedy and potency for a given person or purpose as textbook
suggestions may or may not be right for each unique individual.
 "The shotgun approach" (trying several remedies and potencies at once) is a very common
method which has lead to the development of combination products and complex remedies.
Many people subjectively find this very helpful, and time saving. Strict classical homeopaths
disagree with this approach, preferring to find one constitutional remedy for the person, over
 several visits, deep history review and various remedy trials. There is no physical, chemical or
scientific reason to suggest either approach is superior to the other.

 Loose trends we've noticed around potency selection:

o German trained homeopaths in our region trend towards DH potencies.
o French or English trained homeopaths in our region trend toward CH potencies.
o Historically, lower potencies were much more prominent. Recently, higher potencies
(30 and 200) seem to be more commonly requested. Locally, the most commonly requested
potency is 30CH. 15 and 200 would be second and third most common.

Part 9: The Choice of Potency and Dose

When to Use Low Potencies
Lower potencies, larger amount of water and small doses should be used in cases with
*higher sensitivity* (700-1000), allergies, chemical sensitivities, weakened vitality, and
highly developed tissue pathology. Care must be taken with elderly people and when the
organs of elimination are overloaded by toxins as there is usually much hidden pathology.

Low potencies can also be considered when the symptoms are of a common nature, the
illness on the physical plane, and there are few characteristic signs.

1. With the *centesimal scale* the case should be started with 6c, 12c, 24c, or 30c
depending on the individual. These cases do better on medicinal solutions made with 1 pill
in 6 to 8 oz of liquid. The first test dose should be succussed only 1 to 3 times and the dose
given in a small amount. It is best to stir 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the medicinal solution into a
dilution glass with 6 to 8 oz. of water. From this dosage glass give the client 1/2 to 1
teaspoon of the remedy. To modify the action of a remedy the homoeopath should use
lower potencies, smaller amounts of the remedy, just a few succussions and more water as
a buffering agent.

2. When using the LM potency in a true hypersensitive (700-1000) the dose must be
carefully adjusted to act in a gentle manner. The case should be started with a 0/1 potency
prepared in a medicinal solution of 6, 8 to 12 oz. of water. The remedy bottle should be
succussed only 1 to 3 times and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon should be stirred into 6 oz. of water.
From the dilution glass 1 teaspoon of medicinal solution should then be stirred into a
second dilution glass of 6 oz. of water.

From this second dilution glass give the client a 1/2 or 1 teaspoon as a dose. Hahnemann
mentions using 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 serial dilution glasses in the ultra hypersensitive. In this way we
can treat over reactive individuals who would normally be very difficult to cure with
Homoeopathy. Olfaction of the remedy is a good alternative to oral ingestion in
hypersensitive patients.

A. In order to use a LM 0/1 on the same type of person who requires a lower potency like
30c the homoeopath must modify the dose accordingly. The LM 0/1 is a much deeper
acting potency than a 30c. I have started many cases on 30c and moved them to LM 0/1
once they gain strength and stability and appear to need a higher potency to complete the
case. If in doubt always choose the lowest potency and work up as needed.

When to Use Higher Potencies

High potencies are suitable for those with  lower sensitivity (1-300), slow
reacting nervous systems, clients who are non reactive to stimuli, and have functional
disorders rather than advanced pathology. They are useful when the characteristic
symptoms are mostly on the mental plane and there is good vitality.
Another criteria is that the remedy picture is certain and there are clearly defined
characteristics.

1. When using the  centesimal scale one may begin these cases with
relatively higher potencies such as 1M or 10M. Ultra high potencies (50M, CM, MM) are
usually reserved for special circumstances or following a case through to completion after
the previous potencies are no longer effective.
The solution should be made in an average of 3 1/2 to 4 oz. of water. The remedy bottle
should be succussed between 8 and 12 times. If you using a  very high
potency it may be better to start with a lower amount of succussions such as 3 to 5
in the beginning and work up if needed.
The client should be given 1 or increasing more teaspoons as needed. The centesimals
may be taken directly from the remedy bottle, but in cases where there is concern about the
possibility of aggravations a dosage glass should be prepared and the remedy diluted still
further.
2. With the LM potencies the client may be started on LM 0/1, LM 0/2, and LM 0/3
depending on the variable factors of the case. Some that are truly at the low end of the
scale may need LM 0/4, LM 0/5 and LM 0/6 as an opening potency. These must be
considered as ultra high potencies.

When using the LM 0/1 or LM 0/2 the remedy bottle may be succussed between 8 and 12
times to raise the potency. If one is beginning with LM 0/3, LM 0/4, LM 0/5, LM 0/6 it may be
best to start with fewer succussions and work up as needed.

When using the lower degrees of potency use more succussions, and when using the
higher degrees use less succussions. The amount taken from the remedy bottle may be 1,
or increasingly, 2 or 3 teaspoons of solution stirred into 4 oz in a dilution glass. The client
should take 1, or increasingly, 2 or 3 teaspoons until a good reaction is attained.

It is best to start with 1 or 2 teaspoons of the medicinal solution stirred into a glass and then
slowly increase the amount until you get the reaction you want. The same is true with the
amount of dosage out of the dilution glass.

We usually begin with 1 teaspoon and then increase the amount to 2 or 3 until the proper
reaction is elicited. With the lower sensitivities the homoeopath uses relatively larger
amounts, higher potencies, larger numbers of succussions, and smaller amounts of water.

When to Use Moderate Potencies

Moderate potencies suit patients with an  average sensitivity (400-700).

These individuals demonstrate moderation in most areas. They are neither too weak nor too
sensitive, and have functional diseases or the early stage of tissue pathology. They should
have good vitality and their organs of elimination  function well. The remedy picture should
be relatively clear and the characteristics somewhat marked.
Moderate potencies work well on cases that affect the vital and mental level.

1. When using the centesimal potencies these cases may be opened with 200c to 1M
depending on the circumstances. The average sensitive does best on a medicinal solution
made in 4 to 6 oz which is given 4 to 8 succussions. From the remedy bottle the client
usually begins with 1, or increasingly more, teaspoons until the healing reaction is
established.

A. The method is basically the same for the centesimal and LM potencies although the
dilution glass was not mentioned in the 1837 edition of  The Chronic
Diseases. Hahnemann was later witnessed using a dilution glass with the
centesimal potencies also. I use the dilution glass in any case when I think it is better to be
safe. This moderates the action of the remedy.
2. When using the LM potencies in the average sensitivity we usually begin the case with
LM 0/1, LM 0/2 or more rarely LM 0/3 depending on the circumstances. The size of the
solutions is usual 4 to 5 oz. and the number of succussions used is 4 to 8. From the bottle 1
or 2 teaspoons are stirred into a dilution glass of 4 to 5 oz. from which the client takes 1, or
increasingly more teaspoons as a dose.

This gives us a basic idea of the relationship between the sensitivity and constitutional
states and the posology of the centesimal and LM potencies. Such ideas help guide us in
the choice of potency, dose and repetition.

One may find a mixture of signs in one individual as all the factors included are relative in
nature. Average out the related signs and see where the predominance of factors point.

One should always err on the conservative side in the choice of the potency and dose
because it can always be increased if needed. Aggravations waste time, slow down the
cure, and are uncomfortable for the patient.

Next:  A Review of the LM and Centesimal Potencies