Dosing and Potency in Homeopathic Treatment

If you have ever tried to select a homeopathy for yourself or for your child, you will know that selecting the right remedy (or remedies) is essential to trigger a healing response. But it's almost just as important to understand the right potency and dose for achievning the best results and for avoiding homeopathic aggravation. Aggravation happens when we take either the wrong remedy repeatedly, or repeat the right remedy too often or in too high potency. How can we avoid these mistakes and make sure that we select the right potency and dose? In this post, we’ll explore how potency and dose work in homeopathy and how they differ between acute and chronic cases. (If you’re new to the concepts of acute and chronic prescribing, you can read my earlier blog post on the topic here.)


What are potency and dose in homeopathy?

In homeopathy, potency refers to the degree of dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) a remedy has undergone during its preparation - before it ends up on a pharmacy's shelf or in a remedy kit. Remedies are labelled with numbers and letters, such as 6C, 30C, 200C, or LM1. The number indicates how many times the remedy has been diluted and succussed, while the letter denotes the dilution scale used (C for centesimal and LM for fifty-millesimal, for example). Higher potencies, like 200C or 1M, are more diluted and considered more potent, acting on deeper levels of the body and mind. Lower potencies, such as 6C or 30C, are gentler and often used for more superficial or physical complaints.



Dose, on the other hand, refers to how often and how much of the remedy is taken. In homeopathy, less is often more, and remedies are given in very small amounts, such as a few drops of a liquid dilution or a few tiny pills.


Potency and dose in acute cases

Acute conditions, such as colds, fevers, or injuries, tend to develop suddenly and resolve within a relatively short timeframe. In these cases, remedies are usually given in lower to moderate potencies, such as 6C, 12C, or 30C. The choice of potency depends on the severity of the symptoms and the individual’s sensitivity.



For example, if someone has a mild cold, a 6C potency taken three times a day may be sufficient. However, if the symptoms are intense, a 30C potency taken every few hours might be more appropriate. The frequency of dosing in acute cases is typically higher because the body’s response to the remedy needs to be supported as the condition evolves. Once improvement is noticed, the remedy can be taken less frequently or stopped altogether.



(There is maybe one exemption to these rules. When an otherwise healthy and robust person, especially children and young people, produces very intense symptoms, higher potencies can sometimes be more beneficial. This is because their strong vitality and overall health allow them to respond effectively to the deeper action of a higher potency, helping to resolve the condition more quickly.)

Potency and dose in chronic cases

Chronic conditions, such as hormonal imbalances, anxiety, or autoimmune issues, develop over time and often involve deeper imbalances. In these cases, the approach to potency and dose is more nuanced. Higher potencies, such as 200C or 1M, are often used because they can address deeper layers of imbalance. However, the frequency of dosing is usually much lower than in acute cases to avoid overstimulating the body.



For chronic cases, remedies may be taken weekly, fortnightly, or even less often, depending on the individual’s response. The goal is to allow the remedy to stimulate the body’s healing mechanism without interference.

Individualised prescribing

A crucial principle of homeopathy is individualisation. The same condition in two people may require entirely different remedies, potencies, and dosing schedules. When it comes to acute concerns, there might not be much difference in potency and dosing from one person to the next. But with chronic concerns, healing can be a little bit more complicated. For example, one person with chronic migraines may benefit from a 200C dose of Natrum muriaticum every two weeks, while another may need Calcarea carbonica in an LM potency daily.
 With chronic prescribing, there are different methodologies we can follow, to suit the unique needs of each individual. If you are curious about how these methodologies might look like, you can read more here.

How to decide on potency and dose

Deciding on potency and dose is both an art and a science. Factors to consider include:



• Sensitivity: Highly sensitive individuals may react strongly to even low potencies, requiring careful management.


• Vitality: People with low vitality may need lower potencies to avoid overwhelm.


• Nature of the concern: Acute, localised symptoms often require lower potencies, while deeper, systemic issues may call for higher ones.


• Previous Response: How someone has responded to remedies in the past can guide future prescribing.