Good job, you’ve figured out a homeopathic remedy you think might help for a self limiting condition that is ailing you. Now, how do you take it? What potency should you take? How often do you take it? How do you know when to stop taking it?
Potency of remedies
Generally speaking, if you are using homeopathy at home and outside of the recommendations of a professional homeopath, you will be working with either a 6C potency or a 30C potency. I would recommend using the 30C potency unless the person has a skin condition, is very sensitive, or has very low vitality even without whatever ailment you are hoping will improve. In these cases, I recommend beginning with 6C.
Physically taking the remedy.
Homeopathic remedies come as either small pellets or as liquids. If you are taking a remedy on your own, outside of the recommendations of a professional homeopath, you are most likely purchasing a remedy as pellets.
Take the remedy at a time when you have not had anything to eat or drink for at least 10 to 15 minutes and will not be having anything to eat or drink for at least another 10 to 15 minutes. With children, if you cannot find a suitable window, then just give it to them anyway coming as close to it as possible.
Transfer the remedy from the vial to your mouth without touching the remedy. The blue Boiron tubes of remedies which are commonly available have a special cap designed for you to turn and release one pellet, pull the cap off and empty the remedy directly into your mouth with your head tipped back. They are quite convenient. If you have a vial with a twist cap, gently tap a pellet into the lid and drop into your mouth with your head tipped back.
How many pellets?
Standard dose of pellets is 1 to 2 large pellets or 3 to 5 small pellets. Large pellets are the size of a small pea, small pellets are not much bigger than sea salt crystals.
Your instructions may tell you to take more pellets, however this is not necessary. 3 small pellets or a whole vial of a remedy are a relatively similar stimulus to your system. Most people in most cases will not notice a difference, so don’t take more unless you are feeling generous and want to support the cause of homeopathic pharmacy.
Frequency and Repetition
The system for taking homeopathic remedies, while foreign to those who are used to conventional medicine, is really rather simple. The remedy works by stimulating your system. If the remedy is working, you will notice changes. There is no formula for how frequently or how long you should take a homeopathic remedy, you have to listen to your body’s response to the remedy. Therefore, you have to be aware of yourself to use this system well.
You may notice changes after the first dose you take of the remedy. If this is the case, then do not take the remedy again, unless indicated. If you notice improvement in the symptoms with the first dose, immediately post to facebook about how awesome homeopathy is, then wait. If the improvement continues, then wait. You don’t need to repeat the remedy unless the symptoms go back toward where they began. If the symptoms worsen, repeat the remedy as soon as this becomes clear.
If the changes you notice after the first dose make your symptoms different, but not improved, note how they are different, wait until they stabilize, and then look through the remedies again. If this remedy is still the best choice, you can repeat it once more and observe. If it isn’t still the best choice, consider taking the one that now looks more like what you observe.
If your symptoms worsen a bit after taking the first dose, wait and see if they improve. Often if a remedy exaggerates the symptoms somewhat it is a very good sign that it will help if given a bit of time. If they do not improve, then reconsider the remedy and find a more suitable one.
If as far as you can tell, there is no response to the first dose, then you need to repeat it. 3 or 4 doses of a remedy should be enough for you to notice changes and assess whether the remedy is doing something or not. If it is still doing nothing after 3 to 4 doses, then you need to find a different remedy.
What is a “bit of time”? It depends on the severity of your symptoms. The more severe your symptoms are, the shorter a “bit of time” is. This also applies to the frequency of repeating a remedy that you aren’t sure about yet. It could be as little as 15 minutes, it could be as much as 8 hours. In general for a non-urgent acute symptom, waiting 3 to 4 hours in between doses will be sufficient.
When in doubt…
Ask someone who knows! I am available by phone at 408-823-0560 and by email at health@maryjoaloi.com.
In any case where your symptoms are serious or not resolving promptly, a qualified health care professional should be consulted.