Principles of Homeopathic Medicines

Timing of the doses
The frequency depends on the acutenessof the patient’s condition. Generally, the more acute the condition, the more frequent you need to give the medicine. Sometimes it can be as frequent as 15 minutes till a response is noted.

Number of doses
In most non acute cases two to three doses a day are sufficient. It is important to stop the medicine dose as soon as an improvement is noticed. Time should be given for it to complete its action.

General Rules for Determining Dosage
People who are beginners in homeopathy should primarily use the 6th potency (written on the bottom as "6x" or "6c") or the 30th potency ("30x" or "30c"). The 6x is a dose of the medicine that has been diluted 1:10 six times with vigorous shaking between each dilution, while the 6c has been diluted 1:100 six times. Only homeopathic practitioners who have a good knowledge of homeopathy should use the higher potencies (200x, 1000x, or higher). It is important to remember that homeopathic medicines are more powerful the more they experience "potentization"--the pharmaceutical process of dilution and shaking. Higher potencies thus should be used with great care.

Administration of the Medicine
Homeopathic medicines are generally used in the form of tiny pills called as pillules. Two to four pillules should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. If required they can be dissolved in a spoonfull of water also.

The medicine should be taken into a "clean mouth." Homeo medicines are very sensitive to any kind of strong chemicals or smells so any kind of food, coffee, mouthwash etc. should be avoided for at least 15 minutes before or after the dose.

Care and Storage of Homeopathic Medicines
Following precautions should be taken to prevent potential problems.

--The medicines should be kept away from strong light, from temperatures higher than 100 degrees, and from exposure to strong odors like camphor, menthol, mothballs, or perfumes.

--The medicines should always be kept in the container in which they were supplied and never transferred to any other bottle which has contained other substances.

--The medicine should be opened for administration of the medicine for the minimum time possible. One should be careful not to contaminate the cap or cork before replacement.

--If, by accident, more pills than the number specified in the prescribed dose are shaken out of the bottle, do not return them to the container; throw the excess away to avoid possible contamination.