Homeopathy: what is it and how do I dose?
- Alex Kelly
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a natural approach to healing that’s been around for over 200 years. It’s based on the idea that “like cures like,” meaning a substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person might help heal those same symptoms in someone who’s sick, when used in a tiny, highly diluted form.
Homeopathic remedies are made from plants, minerals, and other natural sources, and they’re prepared in a way that makes them super gentle, so they’re perfect for sensitive systems like babies, kids, or anyone looking for a low-intervention option. You’ll usually find them in little sugar pellets that melt under the tongue, or as drops or creams.
"Like Cures Like"
When you get sick, your body shows symptoms—like a runny nose, watery eyes, or a cough—because it’s trying to fix something that’s out of balance. Those symptoms are your body’s way of sending signals as part of its natural healing process.
Homeopathy uses a tiny amount of something that would normally cause those same symptoms to gently “wake up” your body’s natural healing system.
For example, onions make your eyes water and nose run. The homeopathic remedy made from onion (Allium cepa) helps with colds and allergies that cause watery eyes and runny noses. It’s like giving your body a little nudge to say, “Hey, here’s the problem—let’s fix it!”
What do the LETTERS Mean?
The “X” scale, also called the decimal scale, uses a 1:10 dilution ratio—meaning 1 part of the original substance is mixed with 9 parts of a liquid solvent.
The “C” scale, or the centesimal scale, uses a 1:100 dilution ratio—1 part substance to 99 parts solvent.
What do the NUMBERS Mean?
The numbers show how many times the medicinal substance has been diluted and shaken (succussed). For example, a 30C potency means the remedy has gone through 30 rounds of dilution and succussion, each at a 1:100 ratio.
Homeopathy Potency Example: how 30C is made
One part of the medicinal substance is combined with 99 parts of a solvent and then succussed (shaked vigorously), creating a 1C potency.
From this, one part of the 1C solution is mixed with 99 parts solvent and succussed again, producing a 2C potency. This process is repeated 30 times in total to achieve a 30C potency.
More Diluted = More Powerful
It may seem counterintuitive, but in the homeopathic world, more diluted remedies are actually considered more potent. This is because homeopathy is based on the idea of energetic healing rather than chemical strength.
With each step of dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking), the “energy” or “vital imprint” of the original substance is believed to be transferred to the solvent.
Identifying Your Symptoms
Homeopathic remedies work best when you pinpoint your exact symptoms, and choose an appropriate remedy. For example a croupy cough may benefit more from Spongia tosta, vs a wet cough with thick phlegm, that may benefit more from Antimonium tartaricum.
Helpful Resources
Choosing Your Strength
Lower Dilutions: 6X, 6C: For local symptoms (i.e symptoms you can physically point at), like bug bites, scrapes, bruises.
Medium Dilutions: 12X, 9C, 12C: For relieving general symptoms like muscle aches and pains.
Higher Dilutions: 30X, 30C: For general symptoms accompanied by possible behavioral or emotional symptoms like high fevers and chills accompanies by agitation or sleeplessness
The general rule of thumb is to stick with a 30C. This stimulates both physical and mental healing.
Safe for Kids?
I am not a homeopathic practitioner, so I am not going to give a definitive age to start homeopathy. From a research stand point there is no age at which homeopathic remedies are definitely declared “safe.” There is a lack of robust safety data for all age groups - at least to my knowledge! If someone out there has access to thorough safety studies PLEASE send them to me!!! I would love to be proved wrong on this. Ha!
But most widely available homeopathic options are diluted enough to be considered “non-toxic.”
...AND BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE WILL ASK
Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets had a recall due to “inconsistent amounts of belladonna alkaloids,” claiming to possibly be linked to 10 children’s deaths and 400 adverse events. In the end, there was no definitive findings proving this was true or not. However, Hyland’s teething products no longer contain belladonna.
Belladonna is made from deadly nightshade. When properly diluted it is considered non-toxic. If you want to dive into the world of homeopathy, but are hesitant and prefer to play it safe, you can choose to stay away from homeopathics derived from toxic substances such as belladonna, rhus tox (poison ivy), arsenicum album (arsenic trioxide), and vux vomica (strychnine).
fever / anxiety / tummy ache / vomiting / swimmer's ear / ear pain /earache / sore throat / bug bite / rash / headache / conjunctivitis / allergies / teething / food poisoning / diarrhea
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