General

POSOLOGY

There is a difference in the action of the various potency of homeopathic remedies. Some of the higher potency are best to the experienced practitioner…

Dr. Shweta Bairagi · 29 Mar 2011

There is a difference in the action of the various potency of homeopathic remedies. Some of the higher potency are best to the experienced practitioner. In reality the entire series of potency needs to be used by only those that do their homework first. (Before taking anything) If one confines himself to only the low potency's ( 3x,6x,9x,3c,6c,9c ) he is limiting himself.It is unreasonable to expect to handle all problems with one or two potency. The selection of the correct potency is just as important as the remedy itself. The remedy will fail if the wrong potency is used.CHOOSING THE POTENCYThe entire series of potency has been compared to the music scales. Guernsey said "A skillful artist may construct a harmony with various vibrations of the same cord but by the use of a proper combination of all sounds a more beautiful and perfect harmony might be constructed ".To explain; any illness may be tackled by any potency but when the correct indicated potency is administered the cure may be accelerated and permanent.HOMEOPATHIC POTENCY RANGEMother tincture, 1x, 3x, 3c, 6x, 6c, 9x, 9c, 12x, 12c, 200c, 1m, 10m, 50m, LMWhen starting a remedy we must use first the lowest potency, then work our way up, jumping on each note. Like in music-gradually going up the harmonious scale.CONSIDERATION IN THE CHOICE OF THE POTENCY1 the susceptibility of the person 2 the seat of the disease (mind, emotion, physical) 3 the nature and intensity of the disease 4 the stage and duration of the disease 5 the previous treatments 6 the age of a person 7 the constitution and temperament of a person 8 the habits of a person 9 the pathological conditionsWhen it comes to emotions and mind symptoms the high potency is effective, and lower used for physical symptoms, like sore muscles, bruising, acute injuries. Medium for the organs.Provided that the selection of the remedy is Homeopathically correct the law of the least action appears to be an essential compliment to the homeopathic law of Similars..By the homeopathic practice of "dilution" even substances that are normally harmful like belladonna are rendered harmless and are transformed into healing remedies. Crude minerals that are inactive become active and effective for healing the ill. By reducing the "strength" of the Material Mass, by dilution and potentisation you end up with a substance with an increased curative power, setting free the powers previously latent.HOMEOPATHIC POTENTIATION is a physical process by which the dynamic energy latent in crude substances is liberated, developed and modified for use as medicine, and depriving it of its destructive or toxic actions.The term Posology originates from Greek words ‘posos’ meaning ‘how much’ and ‘logos’ meaning ‘study’. In homeopathy, Posology means the doctrine of dose of medicine. A homeopathic dose means the potency, quantity and form of medicine as well as repetition. As it is a very lengthy topic to explore, I will just focus on the potency selection part of Posology.Before we try to learn more about the potency selection, let us first summarize what potencies are available to a homeopath. 1. The Centecimal Scale, evolved by Hahnemann, denoted by the numerical designation of the potency or by the number followed by the suffix C or CH, e.g., 30C or 200C. 2. The Decimal Scale, evolved by Hering and denoted by the suffix X, after the number, e.g., 200x. 3. The 50 Millesimal or LM Scale - also known as Quinquagintamillesimal or Q potencies. Hahnemann evolved this scale in the last years of his life.Potencies can be broadly classified as low, medium, and high. Low potency designates anything from Q to 12C, medium from 12C up to 200C and high from 200C upwards to DM, MM, DMM.Beyond HahnemannEven during the life of Hahnemann there was a split among homeopaths. A section believed in the use of potentized remedies and another believed in crude doses on the basis of Simila. Among those who used the potentized remedies, most were not in favor of very high potencies. During the later years of Hahnemann, the proponents of the crude doses decreased and the higher potencies came into greater use.Boenninghausen , a contemporary of Hahnemann, was clearly in favor of high potencies. He wrote many papers in support of high potencies and listed therein many advantages like - 1. The sphere of action continually enlarges with high potencies so that in chronic ailments they hasten the cure, 2. In acute diseases, the effect appears quicker, and 3. They act in spite of discretion in diet.The LM scale has not been very popular among homeopaths, primarily due to historical reasons..Clarke says that for ordinary practice, with acute illness, the lower dilutions from the 1C to 3C will be most useful. For chronic diseases, the higher dilutions would be required.Close gives the following considerations that influence the choice of the dose - 1. The greater the characteristic symptoms of the drug in the case, the greater the susceptibility to the remedy and the higher the potency required. 2. Age: medium and higher potencies for children 3. Higher potencies for sensitive, intelligent persons. 4. Higher potencies for persons of intellectual or sedentary occupation and those exposed to excitement or to the continual influence of drugs. 5. In terminal conditions even the crude drugs may be required.Kent was not only an exponent of medium and high potencies but was also the preceptor of a generation of high potencists. It was because of his students that high potencies came into vogue in England. Kent is still considered the person who has influenced the use of high potencies the most among the homeopathic community. Kent has written:“After 30 years of careful observation and comparison with the use of various potencies, it is possible to lay down the following rules: Every physician should have at command the 30th, 200th, 1M, 10M, 50M, CM, DM, and MM potencies…From the 30th to the 10M will be found those curative powers most useful in very sensitive woman and children. From the 10M to the MM all are useful for ordinary chronic diseases in persons not so sensitive. In acute diseases, the 1M and 10M are most useful. In the sensitive woman and children, it is well to give the 30th and 200th at first, permitting the patient to improve in a general way, after which the 1M (and 10M) may be used in a similar manner. In persons suffering from chronic sickness and not so sensitive, the 10M may first be used, and continued without change so long as improvement lasts; then the 50M will act precisely in the same manner.”So we see that in spite of differences in the guidelines for potency selection, most modern homeopaths have some agreement on the factors which influence the selection of potency . These include - 1. Certainty about the remedy chosen 2. Kingdom of the medicine (source) 3. Age of the patient 4. Gender of the patient 5. Occupation of the patient 6. Sensitivity of the patient 7. Vitality of the patient 8. Nature of the patient 9. Type of disorder - Functional or Pathological. 10. Severity of Pathology 11. Acute or Chronic nature of the disease 12. Clarity and abundance of mental symptoms 13. Type of response desired - palliation or cure 14. Level of proving 15. Nature of drug 16. Miasm of the patientA homeopath should be open to using the full range of potencies available to him. The certainty in potency selection grows with experience. If you are confident of your remedy selection and the desired action is not there, try changing the potency to higher or lower before you decide to change the medicine itself. You cannot be flexible in your remedy selection; for cure, a remedy has to be similar, but you can be flexible about potency selection. A given case may respond to more than one potency of the same medicine. While choosing the potency just remember Hahnemann’s words that an ideal cure has to be quick, gentle and permanent. Things will become easier from thereon!The question of potency selection has always kept the Homeopaths of all times wondering and with different views. The homeopath should be open to use the entire range of potencies, from lowest to the highest, depending upon the demand of the case. The choice of potency would depend upon each individual case. Close states " All the potencies may be needed. No one potency, high or low, will meet the requirement of all cases at all times ." Homoeopaths need not be satisfied only with the selection of the similimum but also with the selection of the proper potency. Kent states, " When a remedy is correct, it will always work, whatever the potency. How deep and how long the remedy will work, depends on the potency. " The potential of the remedy must meet the requisite susceptibility. Certain factors for selection of potency are -1) Disease Potential - Disease-potential involves various factors:a) Value of symptoms,b) Nature & seat of disease,c) Tissue affinity,d) Pathology involved,e) Duration of Pathology and Pace.2) Sensitivity and Susceptibility - Sensitivity and Susceptibility are denoted as high, moderate and low. High sensitivity shows a high level of reactivity.3) Miasmatic Interpretation.4) Similarity: Degree and Level.5) Suppression.6) Type of the Patient.Indications of high & low potency are simplified below in a tabular form for the easy comprehension of a homoeopath.Indication Of High PotencyIndication Of Low PotencyMore characteristic symptomsLess characteristic symptoms or paucity of symptomsHigher the similarityLower the similarityHigh susceptibilityLow susceptibilityHigh sensitivityLow vitalityHigh immunityLow immunityAcute diseasesChronic diseasesReversible diseasesIrreversible diseasesFunctional diseasesAdvanced pathological casesMental diseasesOld age diseasesInvolvement of Cutaneous, mucous tissues or Nervous sys.Involvement of Cellular tissue or Muscular system.Organs of Respiratory & Nervous systemOrgans of Locomotive & Circulatory system.Children and young vigorous personsExtremely weak, old, or very hypersensitive subjects.Intelligent, sensitive & very sluggish patientsOversensitive, Idiosyncratic & weak constitution patients.Neurotic patientsDull, backward, sluggish & unimpressionable patientsFemale sexMale sexMelancholic, nervous and choleric temperamentsLymphatic temperaments.Poor reactionOversensitive to drugsEngaged in mental occupationsEngaged in physical workIncurable cases, where only palliation is aimed.Functional remediesNutritive remediesPsora & sycosisTubercular miasmActing on Mental levelActing on Physical levelNosodesInhabitants of warm climatesIn temperate and colder climates.If one is sure about the similimum but the desired action is not aroused then, try changing the potency to higher or lower before changing the medicine itself.POTENCIES : Potencies are a unique feature of homoeopathic practice; 'Potency' literally means power or strength. The potencies are energized dilutions (or attenuations) of the mother tinctures of homoeopathic remedies.Potency numbers which follow the name of the homoeopathic remedies indicate the number of sequential or serial dilutions and successions (potentisation steps) of the original mother tincture. They are denoted according to the scale used i.e. decimal, centesimal or fifty millesimal scale. For e.g.X (or x ) ----- denoting serial dilutions in the ratio of 1 part mother tincture to 9 parts of a solution of alcohol and water, that is dilutions in the ratio of 1:10 - the decimal series of potencies.C ( no suffix in UK) ----denoting serial dilutions in the ratio of 1 part of mother tincture to 99 parts of a solution of alcohol and water, that is dilutions in the ratio of 1:100 ---the centesimal series of potencies.Thus for example, we have:6x the sixth decimal potency12x the twelfth decimal potency24x the 24 th decimal potency6C (or6) 6 th centesimal potency30C (or 30) 30 th centesimal potency200C (or 200) 200 th centesimal potency1000C (1M) the 1000 th centesimal potencyPotentisation, as it is termed, is carried out successively in two distinct stepsSerial (or sequential) dilution of the mother tincture with a mixture of alcohol and water.Each dilution is followed by succession, which involves vigorous shaking with impact.There are two series of dilutions, the decimal series, based on serial dilutions of 1:10 and the centesimal series based on serial dilutions of 1:100. The decimal series of potencies is denoted as 1x , 2x , 3x, 4x , ...etc., whilst the Centesimal series is denoted as 1c , 2c , 3c , 4c , .... (1, 2, 3, 4 in UK ). X is the Roman numerical for 10 and C the Roman numerical for 100.(a) Decimal series of potencies : The method of preparation is as follows:To one part (or 1 ml) of mother tincture in a glass container is added 9 parts (or 9 ml) of 20 or 30% alcohol /pure water, and the mixture is succussed, giving a potency of 1x ( the first decimal potency) .Now, To one part (or 1 ml ) of a solution of potency 1x, in a new container, is added a further 9 parts ( or 9 ml ) of alcohol or water and the mixture is succussed again, giving a potency of 2x ( the second decimal potency )This serial ( or sequential ) dilution and succussion is repeated to produce, progressively potencies of 3x , 4x , 5x , 6x, and so on up the decimal series.Thus we have decimal dilutions as follows:Decimal PotencyPrepared byDilution1X1 part of mother tincture in 10 parts alcohol/water1:102X1 part in 100 dilutions1:1003X1 part in 10001:10004X1 part in 10,0001:10,0006X1 part in 1,000,0001:1,000,000(b). Centesimal series of potencies :The method of preparation is the same as for decimal potencies, but the dilution ratio is different (1:100), as follows:To one part (or 1ml) of mother tincture in a glass container, is added 99 parts (or 99 ml) of alcohol/water and the mixture is succussed giving a potency of 1C.To one part (or 1 ml) of a solution of potency 1c in a fresh container, is added a further 99 parts (or 99 ml) of alcohol/water, and the mixture is succussed again, giving a potency of 2C.This process is repeated to produce, progressively potencies of 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C, and so on. Thus we have centesimal dilutions as follows:Centesimal PotencyPrepared byDilution1C1 part of mother tincture in 100 parts alcohol/water1:1002C1 part in 10,0001:10,0003C1 part in 1,000,0001:1,000,0004C1 pat in 100,000,0001:100,000,000In UK , it is customary to denote centesimal potencies by the potency number alone ( that is with out suffix c) thus we have 1,2,3,4,5,6 and so on.It can be seen from the above that the dilution of potencies 1C and 2X are the same -that is one part of mother tincture in one hundred parts of alcohol / water.Similarly 2C is the same dilution as 4X3C is the same dilution as 6X4C is the same dilution as 8XHowever it is incorrect to define potencies in terms of dilution alone as, although dilution may be the same, the numbers of successions, which are an integral part of the potentisation process, are different.For example, the dilution of potencies of 3C and 6X are the same, but the former has required three dilutions and three successions and the latter, six serial dilutions and successions they differ, therefore, in the energy associated with them.(c) Millesimal series of potencies :A third potency series is the millesimal scale, based on mother tincture sequentially diluted in the same manner as before, with 999 parts (or 999ml) of alcohol/water .Potencies on the millesimal scale are sometimes denoted 1M, 2M, 3M etc., but this leads to confusion with the use of 1M to denote a centesimal potency of 1,000. Another system, which is probably more explanatory, is to denote millesimal potencies by the suffix LM or 0/1It follows that millesimal dilutions are:1 LM 1:10002 LM 1:1,000,0003 LM 1:1,000,000,000POTENCIES COMMONLY USEDThe potencies most commonly prescribed universally are:DilutionVERY HIGH ---CM1x10 --200,00050M1x10----50,00010M1x10----20,000HIGH1M (1,000C)1x10----2,000200C1x10-----400MEDIUM30C1x10----- 6030X1x10---- 3024X1x10------24LOW6C1x10------1212X1x10------126X1x10------ 6 (1 in 1 million)3X1x10-------3 (1 in 1000)N.B -- In France , potencies of 4C, 5C, 7C, 9C and 30C are most favored. French law does not permit potencies above 30CGemmotherapy preparations and Lithotherapy preparations are prescribed in potencies of 2X and 8X respectively.Dr. Samuel Hahnemann favored the use of low potencies such as 6X, 12X, up to 30C. He did however experiment with potencies up to 50C in the latter part of his career.POTENCIES IN PRESCRIBINGGenerally in Acute diseases (condition with sudden onset, clearly defined, severe symptoms and of relatively short duration) we prescribe low potencies with frequent repetition (for example, hourly, three times a day etc).While in Chronic disease (more deep seated and long lasting, probably inherited disease, with ill-defined symptoms and time of onset of the disease) we prescribe high potencies at a low frequency of dosage (for example, once a week, once a month). However, these high potencies may, in certain circumstances, be preceded by prescribing a low potency. As a Veteran homoeopathic physician remarked, " if I choose the right remedy and prescribe first in a high potency , I have no where to go ! "The selection of a suitable potency in a given case requires more experience than theoretical knowledge.Eminent practitioners have cured cases not only by lower potencies but also by high and very high potencies. There is no one definite and positively drawn line of thinking for the selection of potencies, we can only gain some inkling and influence by reading some clinical cases presented by our seniors in the past. Dr. Kent suggests using potencies in the range of 30C, 200C, 1M, 10M, 50M, and CM and even DM and MM depending upon the nature of the case. It is not advisable to administer high potencies to patients who have feeble health as they may cause severe aggravation, some times leading to unbearable suffering. Dr. Kent was against prescribing high potencies carelessly " if our medicines were not powerful enough to kill folks, they would not be powerful enough to cure sick folks." These words really make any one shiver when thinking of high potencies, but at the same time, we must realize that a patient can also die with a low potency when all he needed was a high potency for the cure. It is suggested for beginners to start with 30 th potency and gradually increase the potency in degrees to high and higher potencies until cure is complete.Hippocrates (460-377 B.C) and Galen (131-201 A.D) were first physicians to document their patient’s process of healing to improve patient care. This completely changed how we viewed diseases. They were no longer some mysterious force that took so many lives. One could learn from how patients heal to improve treatment of the next patients. In other words, medical practice in ancient time was about gathering information and processing information.However, the use of technology in medical practice did not start until the 19th century. For a long time, the practice of medicine was based on patient’s descriptions of symptoms not based on hands-on experience such as examination of a patient’s body. Not until the 18th century did physicians start to use manual techniques to diagnose patients and to study dead bodies.19th and 20th Century Medical TechnologyIn the begining of the 19th century, physicians stated employing medical technologies to diagnose and treat diseases. One of the first technologies is a Hutchinson’s device for measuring the vital capacity of the lungs. Another device is Herisson’s sphygmomanometer for blood pressure measurement.In the first half of the 20th century, medicine was completely revolutionized with the explosion of the use of medical technology. Some of the medical technologies invented in this period were the thermometer, stethoscope, microscope, ophthalmoscope, laryngoscope, and x-ray. With these medical devices, doctors were able to see and hear parts of patient’s body such as lungs, and hearts.