Potency Issue

Before explaining potency in homeopathic remedies, a brief explanation of how to read the label follows:

Since homeopathic remedies are used all over the world, the name is provided in Latin rather than the common name.  For example, Hypericum perforatum will be on the label rather than its common name, St. John's Wort.

Following the name of the remedy is a number and a letter.  The number represents how many times the original substance has been processed by homeo-pharmaceutical methods.  The letter represents the scale of dilution used in processing the remedy.  The two most common scales are the centesimal and decimal.

The centesimal scale is a method where a starting medicinal substance is diluted with a diluting mixture at a 99 to 1 ratio (1:100 dilution).  Remedies processed by this scale are labeled using the letter "c" followed by the number of times the process was carried out such as 2c, 6c, 12c.

The decimal scale is a method where a starting medicinal substance is diluted with a diluting mixture at a 9 to 1 ratio (1:10 dilution).  Example:  Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) 6x means that the starting medicinal substance has been diluted a total of six times at a 1:10 dilution rate each time.

As for potency of a homeopathic remedy, "low" potency is considered 1x-6x of the decimal scale and 1c-3c of the centesimal scale.  "Medium" potency is considered 8x-18x and 4c-9c.  "High" potency begins at 12c and 12x.  Confusing to people when purchasing homeopathic remedies is that "low" actually has more molecules of the crude substance than "high".

Always consider susceptibility (how a person reacts to a remedy) when deciding whether to take a high or low potency.  Factors for consideration are age, environment, temperament, or a combination of factors.  The more susceptible the individual, the higher the dose.  The less susceptible the individual, the lower the dose.