It’s important that we understand how to give remedies. We can spend time trying to identify which remedy is needed, getting a clear symptom picture. Once that is obtained our next step is to decide on potency and dose. First I want to explain potency.
POTENCY
This is the strength of the remedy. This is identified by a number and usually a ‘C’. So examples of potency are 6c, 12c, 30c, 200c. When treating acutely we find that 30c is the most common potency. The First Aid Kits have 36 homeopathic remedies all in 30c. These are a great way of having a supply of commonly used remedies – all together in a handy little case.
DOSE
When treating acutely we begin by taking one 30c remedy – remember to suck the remedy and try and avoid eating or drinking at least 5 mins either side of taking the remedy. This remedy can be repeated 2 more times in the next 24hrs. With homeopathy we are always taking note of the intensity of the illness. We are trying to match the dose with the strength of the illness.
Lets give an example here:
What happens after taking a remedy?
NOTHIING: Here we have a few things to consider
1. Was the remedy taken correctly?
2. Have they forgotten some of their symptoms? (this does happen!)
If there is definitely no change on symptoms – its back to the drawing board and take note that there may well be new symptoms after popping up to guide you to a new remedy.
RELAPSE AFTER STOPPING REMEDY
The remedy helped initially but the symptoms have now returned –
• here you simply repeat the remedy again
• if you do have a higher potency of that remedy now would be a good time to use it.
NEW SYMPTOMS
No major change on the remedy but now there are new symptoms.
• This is the bodies way of telling us it needs a different remedy
• you will need to get a clear picture of the new symptoms and find a matching remedy.
MATCHING THE DOSE with the INTENSITY OF THE ILLNESS
This is best described by an example…..
If you can treating a sore throat – the patient is still able to function and get on life but feels that the throat is raw and scratchy – here the intensity of the illness isn’t very high so we would consider a 30c potency – 3 in 24hrs. Observe what has changed and if there are positive changes you may need to continue with 1 – 2 more doses – if all is good and symptoms are gone, no need to take anymore remedies.
Now let’s say we are treating a child with a fever – the fever came on suddenly and is high and causing discomfort. Here the intensity of the illness is very high so we will need to consider taking the 30c more often. When treating high intensity symptoms I like to plus remedies. To plus a remedy you simply put the remedy in a 1litre bottle of water – it will dissolve – you then shake and sip from this bottle. Each sip is considered a dose – you may need to shake and sip every 15 – 20 initially but as always with homeopathy – when symptoms lessen you lessen how often you take a dose. You must watch and observe what the remedy is doing.
So to recap, it is important that you give a remedy based on the symptoms that the body is showing, once those symptoms have gone you stop the remedy. If you continue to take the remedy even thought the body isn’t showing the symptoms anymore you may well start to ‘prove’ that remedy, that is, to start showing symptoms that the remedy has the ability to heal. So, yes homeopathy is safe but if not taken correctly it can have negative affects.
