Compiled articles on Homeopathy

* Several articles are included in this FILE so please keep scrolling, they are separated by **

Homeopathic Medicine Potency or Dilution

Homeopathic medicine are micro-dosed natural substances derived from botanical, animal or mineral sources.  A specific homeopathic medicine dilution is obtained by a precise and controlled process of successive “homeopathic dilution”.  The medicine is diluted or de-concentrated and then vigorously shaken, traditionally referred to as succussion.  This process transforms the original substance into a therapeutically active medicine.

Many, new to homeopathy, mistake potency or dilution with strength.  There is actually no correlation between potency and the strength of a homeopathic medicine.  A homeopathic medicine at 30C potency is not stronger than the same medicine at 6C or 3C.  The difference is in their action.  While a 6C potency is better suited for a local symptom, a 30C or higher potency is more appropriate for general conditions such as allergy, stress or sleep disorders.

Homeopathic medicine potency in the U.S.A. is described by a two part, number and letter designation.  You will see the potencies referred to as, 12X, 6C, 30C, 10M or 6LM.  The number part indicates the number of times the source substance has been homeopathically diluted.  The Letter portion indicates the dilution rate.  X being the roman numeral 10, is the slowest dilution rate of 1/10 and LM is the fastest dilution rate of 1/50,000.

The following table shows each of the letter designations and their dilution rate as applied in the U.S.A:

Designation Dilution Rate X 1/10 C 1/100 M 1/1000 LM 1/50,000

In Europe and some other parts of the world you will see the letter D or DH. This refers to decimal or 1/10 which is the same as X, here in the U.S.  Also in Europe the position of the number and letter designation are reversed.  So you will see such designations as D5 or D10 which are equivalent to 5X and 10X.

You will also encounter CH and CK, these are equivalent to C, referring to the Centesimal or 1/100 dilution rate.  The H and K merely indicate the dilution method used. H indicates that the medicine was prepared according to the Hahnemann method and K the Korsakovian Method.

The Hahnemanian method uses 1 part of the homeopathic potency to 99 parts of alcohol in a new flask and succussed to make the next higher potency on the Centesimal scale.

The Korsakovian method is simpler and quicker and often employed to produce the higher potencies of 200C and above. In the Korsakovian method the same container is used for each succession of the dilution step. 

Additional Information on homeopathic medicine:

• General Information

• Homeopathic Remedy Quick Reference

• Homeopathic Medicine Dosage and Form

http://www.ritecare.com/homeopathic/guide_potency.asp

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A bit about the “Potency” or strength of a remedy

Potency scales[<a>edit</a>]

Several potency scales are in use in homeopathy. Hahnemann created the centesimal or “C scale”, diluting a substance by a factor of 100 at each stage. The centesimal scale was favored by Hahnemann for most of his life. A 2C dilution requires a substance to be diluted to one part in one hundred, and then some of that diluted solution diluted by a further factor of one hundred. This works out to one part of the original substance in 10,000 parts of the solution.<a>[2]</a> A 6C dilution repeats this process six times, ending up with the original material diluted by a factor of 100−6=10−12. Higher dilutions follow the same pattern. In homeopathy, a solution that is more dilute is described as having a higher potency, and more dilute substances are considered by homeopaths to be stronger and deeper-acting remedies.<a>[3]</a> The end product is often so diluted that it is indistinguishable from the dilutant (pure water, sugar or alcohol).<a>[4]</a><a>[5]</a><a>[6]</a>

Hahnemann advocated 30C dilutions for most purposes (that is, dilution by a factor of 1060).<a>[7]</a> In Hahnemann’s time it was reasonable to assume that remedies could be diluted indefinitely, as the concept of the atom or molecule as the <a>smallest possible unit of a chemical substance</a> was just beginning to be recognized. We now know that the greatest dilution that is reasonably likely to contain one molecule of the original substance is 12C, if starting from 1 mole of original substance.<a></a>

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Some homeopaths developed a decimal scale (D or X), diluting the substance to ten times its original volume each stage. The D or X scale dilution is therefore half that of the same value of the C scale; for example, “12X” is the same level of dilution as “6C”. Hahnemann never used this scale but it was very popular throughout the 19th century and still is in Europe. This potency scale appears to have been introduced in the 1830s by the American homeopath <a>Constantine Hering</a>.<a>[8]</a> In the last ten years of his life, Hahnemann also developed a quintamillesimal (Q) or LM scale diluting the drug 1 part in 50,000 parts of diluent.<a>[9]</a> A given dilution on the Q scale is roughly 2.35 times its designation on the C scale. For example a remedy described as “20Q” has about the same concentration as a “47C” remedy.<a>[10]</a>

Potencies of 1000c and above are usually labelled with Roman numeral M and with the centesimal ‘c’ indicator implied (since all such high potencies are centesimal dilutions): 1M = 1000c; 10M = 10,000c; CM = 100,000c; LM (which would indicate 50,000c) is typically not used due to confusion with the LM potency scale.

The following table is a synopsis comparing the X and C dilution scales and equating them by equivalent dilution. However, the homeopathic understanding of its principles is not explained by dilution but by “potentisation”, hence one can not assume that the different potencies can be equated based on equivalence of dilution factors. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathic_dilutions

how to make a Wound Spray

Herbs for First Aid: A Recipe for a First-Aid Antiseptic Wound SprayMAY 21, 2013 BY <a>ANDREA</a> <a>Outdoors.</a>Scratches.

Scrapes.Cuts.Abrasions.

Herbal Antiseptic Wash.

Here’s a recipe for an herbal antiseptic wound spray that you can trust to clean out minor scrapes and scratches properly.

When applied to broken skin, it works just as well — better in my opinion — than any store-bought antiseptic wound spray…and naturally prevents infection from setting in.

Herbs and Their Properties

Among the blessings of the plant kingdom, there are several different herbs and flowers that contain highly antiseptic properties and are known as potent germ-killers.

For example:

• Calendula flowers — anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-microbial, anti-fungal
• Sage – anti-microbial, astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral
• Yarrow – anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, astringent
• Thyme – anti-septic, anti-viral, astringent
• Lavender – anti-septic, soothing
• Goldenseal Root – anti-bacterial, antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial
• Tea Tree — anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-septic

***Note: Above information obtained from <a>Practical Herbalism: Ordinary Plants with Extraordinary Powers</a>

Making an Antiseptic Wound Spray can easily be done at home…

…one that is soothing, healing, and safe for use on the whole family.

Here’s how!

First-Aid Antiseptic Spray

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Ingredients* Use homegrown or organic ingredients whenever possible.

• 4 ounces <a>aloe vera</a>
• 2 ounces <a>witch hazel</a> infused with <a>calendula flowers</a>, <a>sage leaves</a>, <a>thyme leaves and flowers</a>, <a>yarrow</a>, and/or <a>goldenseal root</a>
• 2 ounces<a> lavender hydrosol (flower water)</a>
• 1 teaspoon <a>castile soap</a>, liquid
• 5 drops <a>grapefruit seed extract</a>, optional
• 20 drops<a> lavender essential oils</a>
• 15 drops <a>tea tree oil</a>
• 5 drops <a>thyme essential oils</a>
• 5 drops <a>myrrh essential oils</a>

Method

1. Gather the plant material you will be using based on affordability and availability – either dried or fresh, or a mix of both…I use garden-fresh as often as possible.
2. Place herbs and flowers into <a>a glass jar</a>. Pour enough<a> liquid witch hazel extract </a>over the plant material to cover it completely. Note: Proceed using <a>these basic tincturing methods</a> for making an herb-infused witch hazel.
3. Once the <a>witch hazel</a> is tinctured, gather remaining ingredients.
4. In <a>a glass jar</a>, combine all ingredients.
5. Shake jar vigorously to mix.
6. Pour mixture into <a>a dark or colored mister/spray bottle</a>.
7. Label with name, contents, and date.
8. Spray is shelf-stable for 1-2 years depending on quality of raw materials used.
9. Keep away from heat and direct sunlight.

To Use

Use this First-Aid Antiseptic Spray to help prevent contamination and skin infection – and for relief of pain associated with minor scrapes, abrasions, burns, cuts, and other skin irritations. Spray directly on to wounds to clean.

For added herbal wound healing, apply a thin layer of <a>Herbal Miracle Balm</a> or an <a>herbal First-Aid Ointment</a> before covering with a clean bandage.

Warnings

For external use only. Not for deep/puncture type wounds. Likewise, if you have a wound that doesn’t improve with the use of the herbal antiseptic…it is vital that you stop using the spray and go see a doctor immediately. This could indicate a more serious infection and you need to consult a professional.

<a>http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/05/herbs-for-first-aid-a-recipe-for-a-first-aid-antiseptic-wound-spray/</a&gt; 

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12 Homeopathic Remedies For Your Dog

Homeopathy is fun to use and the fact that it works so very well with so many medical problems makes it all the more rewarding. Most of the commonly used remedies are inexpensive and easy to find. They can be found at most Health Food Markets, some human pharmacies, online at a multitude of sites and even at K Mart. I suggest you compile a kit of common remedies to have ready and waiting when minor emergencies occur because there’s often not the time to run to the store and this stuff always seem to happen late at night or on a major holiday!

Homeopathy has particular rules associated with using it and this can be confusing and put off prospective students. But for many simple and common accidents and illnesses, it can be pretty simple to use.

The first thing to do is to assemble a homeopathic kit to have at home and then buy a book or two about homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies number in the thousands and are made from anything and everything. But you only need to learn some of the rules of homeopathy and have about a dozen remedies to be off and running.

HOMEOPATHY SIMPLIFIED

Here is the straight goods on how to work with Homeopathic remedies.

•  
  • Homeopathic remedies need to melt on the gums so they should not be hidden in a treat or in food. Our dogs have a built in pouch on the side of their mouth and the remedies can go right in there.
  • Try not to handle the remedies but drop them straight from the bottle into your dog’s cheek.
  • Remedies come in tiny white pellet or liquid form. Either form can be placed directly into your dogs cheek.
  • It’s not important if you give one drop of the remedy or five or one homeopathic pellet or three because homeopathy is an energy medicine and there is typically none of the physical substance left in the remedy. One tiny white pellet could treat an elephant and 10 pellets could treat a mouse. That’s a hard one to digest, if you’ll excuse my pun, but people are always worried about how much to give and how often to give. The amount is no big deal and you give it until they get better. If it’s not working at all, you stop giving the remedy. We’re all just too used to using antibiotics that have to be calculated to the weight of the dog and have a certain time they need to be given. This is simply not the case with homeopathy.
  • Because homeopathy is an energy medicine the remedies should not be stored next to heavy electromagnetic appliances such as televisions and computers or left in the bright hot sun for a long time.

WHAT DOSE SHOULD I GIVE ?

Unlike drugs, Homeopathy does not work by body weight (e.g., give 500 mg per 25 pounds of body weight). With Homeopathy, the original physical substance is sequentially diluted and this is why you have the funny numbers after the name of the remedy. Arnica 6x does not mean that you have to give it six times! It means that the remedy has been diluted six times. To confound you even more, the more dilute the remedy the more powerful it is, so very highly diluted remedies are usually only available to doctors. The potencies most commonly available to you are 6x and 30x (diluted 1/10 either 6 or 30 times) and 6c and 30c ( diluted 1/100 either 6 or 30 times).

WHAT MAKES IT BETTER AND WHAT MAKES IT WORSE

Homeopathic remedies are chosen in accordance with how the patient experiences his illness. For instance, one person who has a cold may want everyone in the house at attendance and worrying about him while another wants to be left alone to lie quietly in the dark. Each of these individuals would need a different remedy based on the individual picture they present.

Let’s say your dog has arthritis and stiffness. Look that up in a Homeopathy text book and you’ll be given a choice of remedies. The specific way the problem presents in your dog will determine the remedy you choose.

For example, look at arthritic stiffness in dogs. Your choice of remedy might depend on whether your dog is worse or better when he first gets up after resting. If he’s better after resting, he might need the remedyBryonia as noted above. I’ve found that most dogs are stiff at first but after walking a bit they get less stiff after they move around for a bit. Oftentimes these same dogs are worse in cold damp weather. With this presentation you’d likely choose the remedy Rhus toxidendron. Rhus tox, as it is commonly known, is much cheaper than NSAID’s and also much safer to use.

If you were to determine that Rhus tox was the best remedy for your dog, you would simply put a few pellets to melt in his cheek pouch about three times a day and watch him over the next week, noting changes in his condition. If he gets better, you’ve got the right remedy and if there is no change, there’s no harm done. Go back and do a little more reading in your handy books on homeopathy. When you have the right remedy, and you’ll know because there will be improvement.

12 HANDY REMEDIES

You may want to go out and purchase these commonly used remedies to have on hand in case the need arises. They are small and make a great travel kit too.

• Apis mellifica – great for bee and other insect bites. Give every 20 minutes for a few doses after a bee sting.
• Arnica – good for general pain, stiffness due to overexertion, soreness and musculoskeletal injuries.
• Arsenicum album – great for GI upsets from eating spoiled food where there is both vomiting and diarrhea. Give twice an hour for a few hours.
• Borax (the remedy, not the powder) – excellent for fear of thunderstorms and fireworks. Give this at the 6c potency twice a day for a month during the season.
• Calendula (can be used both as an oral remedy and as an external ointment) – use for skin infections or any kind of external infection. It’s a remarkable healing agent and a tube of the ointment should always be on hand to apply topically to scrapes, infections and wounds. You can also buy a tincture and dilute it 1/10 and flush any cuts or wounds with it.
• Hepar sulphur – is wonderful to treat painful abscesses anywhere on the body and painful infected anal glands.
• Hypericum – is an excellent remedy to give for any pain due to nerve damage or injuries to nerve-rich areas. I once closed my finger in a window and learned firsthand the wonders of Hypericum. Great for when you cut your dog’s toenails too short.
• Myristica – phenomenal remedy for anal sac infections and chronic anal sac problems.
• Rhus tox – for arthritis that’s better after moving around, general musculoskeletal injuries, red swollen eyes, skin infections and skin itching.
• Ruta – fantastic for any injury to tendons or ligaments and this remedy has a real affinity for the knee so you would use it immediately after any knee or cruciate injury.
• Silicea – pushes foreign bodies like splinters or foxtails out of the skin.
• Ledum – the first choice for any type of puncture wound, including those from insect bites. Insect bites that require Apis will be hot and red whereas bites that require Ledum will be cool and appears bruised.

With a small investment and a little planning, you can build your own Homeopathic kit. These remedies aren’t that difficult to use and can give your dog fast and effective relief from many common injuries and illnesses.

<a>http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/12-homeopathic-remedies/</a&gt;

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Quick Reference Chart 

Remedy Selection by Condition

Once you have identified the condition note the appropriate remedies and then cross reference with the remedy page to find the one that best matches your dog’s condition

FIRST REMEDY in accidents and injuries       ARNICA 200C  for dogs or humans

Accidents, Injuries, Trauma       Arnica, Aconite

  Fright, panic                                 Aconite, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla

  Hot Spots, Hives                          Apis, Sulphur

  Skin Irritation and Allergies        Apis, Sulphur

  Eczema, mange, itching               Sulphur

  Insect stings and bites                Apis, Sulphur

Mastitis, painful swelling              Apis

Nervousness, Agitation, Fear     Arsenicum, Aconite, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla

  Separation Anxiety                      Arsenicum, Pulsatilla

Wounds                                        Arnica, Hypericum, Hepar sulphuricum

  Injuries to Nerves, Spine or Tail Hypericum, Phosphorus

Back Injuries, disc problems      Hypericum, Phosphorus

Tendon or Ligament injury        Arnica, Rhus toxicodendron

Joint swelling                               Rhus toxicodendron

Arthritis                                         Rhus toxicodendron Sprains, Strains, Splints, Arnica, Rhus                                                                 toxicodendron

  Indigestion, no appetite              Arsenicum, Nux vomica

G.I Ulcers                                       Arsenicum, Nux vomica, Aconite

Diarrhea                                         Arsenicum, Nux vomica, Phosphorus

Vomiting                                        Arsenicum, Nux vomica, Phosphorus

Coughing, Lung conditions        Phosphorus

Colds, Rhinitis, Sinusitis              Aconite, Pulsatilla

After Vaccines                              Nux vomica, Sulphur

  http://pets-homeopathy.com/quick-reference-chart/

About Susan Lewelling, CCNC, Consultant & Natural Rearing Breeder

I breed Naturally Reared UKC Carolina Dogs, I consult/coach natural rearing to carnivore pet owners, with a focus on Naturopathy and the Raw Diet. I live on a mini farm with my husband, dogs and goats and various fowl and in my spare time, I make all natural lotions and enjoy Barn Hunt trials with my dogs.