How to Use Homeopathic Medicines
Remedies should be stored in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard or drawer, and away from strong-smelling
perfumes and liniments. They should not be stored in the refrigerator, nor close to microwave ovens or computers.
They should be taken under the tongue in a clean mouth, preferably about half an hour before meals. Avoid
drinking coffee completely while taking homeopathic medicines (tea, however, is okay), and do not take after using
toothpaste.
Selecting the Remedy
If you are familiar with homeopathic prescribing, you will know that homeopaths can ask patients many curious
questions, and may base their choice of the correct remedy on a number of different and apparently unrelated
conditions. Symptoms such as being worse in a draught, or always better in humid weather or in the open air, can
decisively indicate the correct choice of remedy.
competence. But you will soon become aware that these medicines work best
by treating the patient as an individual and the body as a whole.
It is the understanding of the pattern of symptoms in a remedywhat the homeopaths call a symptom picturethat is
the key to prescribing. A remedy that closely matches in its symptom picture the symptoms of the patient is known
in homeopathy as the similimum, the most similar remedy, and is the one to prescribe. In these cases, its action is
dramatic and gratifying, and quickly repays the effort of prescribing correctly.
Dose
How often you give a medicine will depend on the potency you use, the type of illness, and the age of the patient.
As a general rule, low potencies of 6x, or 3c, to 12c are used for acute complaints, such as colds, attacks of
vomiting, wounds, and so on. Medium potencies of 30c are used in more established conditions such as recurrent
migraines or entrenched period pain. Higher potencies, of 200c and above, are used in deeper constitutional
treatment, and are best left to experienced prescribers.
A normal dose of any liquid is about 6 drops, usually taken under the tongue, but the remedy can be rubbed into
the chest in cases where opening the mouth is difficult. For frequent dosing, such as with a child at night, put half a
capful, or about 20 drops, in I cm of water in a glass, and give by clean eye dropper.
Generally, a dose is given every 2-3 hours during the day. It can also be given at night if the patient is awake.
Tablets are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. The usual dose is 2
tablets for adults, I for children.
Pilules are small, round tablets, often used in homeopathic kits because they can be packed into space-saving bottles. The usual dose is 4 pilules for an adult, 2 pilules for a child.
Like tablets, they are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve, or can be chewed if preferred.
Oral sprays are a recent introduction to the homeopathic market, and have proved to be very convenient. The usual
dose is 4 sprays for an adult, 2 for a child.
For the low potencies of 6x, or 3-12c, one dose generally can be given every few hours until the patient improves
or until a change occurs. If there is no change after one or two weeks, especially in acute illnesses, the remedy has
probably failed and a new remedy should be chosen. Higher potencies are given less often. As a general rule, the
30c potency is given once a day, to adults and children, for several days. It is used most often in longer term
disorders, such as arthritis or constipation, although it is sometimes given once a day for several weeks. For
entrenched conditions, the 200c potency may be given once a week or once a month. Higher potencies, such as
IM, are given about once a month for constitutional problems.
Infants and children respond more quickly to remedies than do adults, although their symptoms are also liable to
change more quickly, so they need to be watched closely. Particularly in infants, the results from a single dose can
show within hours even minutes so the remedy can sometimes be given less often, such as morning and evening.
Remedy Reactions
After giving a well-chosen remedy for a number of doses, one of three things can happen.
The symptoms persist
If given for three to six doses in an acute illness, or for several weeks in a more long-standing illness, and there is
no improvement, the remedy has failed. The similimum was not chosen. A new remedy should be selected.
The symptoms improve
The remedy has succeeded, and dosage should be stopped. Further dosage should begin only when improvement
The symptoms aggravate (worsen)
The remedy may be correct, but is stimulating a response. Dosage should be stopped. A marked improvement can
be expected when the aggravation subsides. Further dosage should begin only when improvement stops, usually at
a higher potency than the first remedy. If the aggravation continues, professional advice should be sought.
Any illness that fails to improve after the administration of apparently correct remedies should always receive
professional assessment.
