Classical homeopaths don’t have a cardinal rule when prescribing remedy potency. We do have guidance from former and current masters, but the final decision should be made by the practitioner in charge of the case, according to his or her careful observation of the person being treated. The physical location of the person’s symptoms is less important. We need to remember that we treat the person, not the disease.
J. T. Kent wrote: “The liver is not the cause of self-inflammation, it is under control of the vital force and it becomes what the vital force makes of it.”[JT Kent – Lesser Writings] So, essentially, the vitality and the level of health of the person is a critical consideration when we prescribe any potency of a remedy.
For example, children in general are given higher potencies than people older than 75 years of age (generally 200C or lower). When we recommend 30C or lower, most of the time the remedy needs to be repeated for 10 to 15 days or longer. The person being treated must stop taking the remedy if and when an aggravation occurs. If an aggravation does not occur, we cannot expect a cure unless the intensity of the symptoms were at the peak at the start of the treatment. Furthermore, if the person being treated experiences an amelioration of their symptoms without an aggravation, the symptoms are most likely to return, depending on their level of health.
In acute conditions, higher potencies (1M, 10M, 50M) are often used. In cases that are considered incurable, lower potencies are repeated. For people born with a healthy disposition but who have had negative events in their life that lowered their level of health, we can recommend higher potency. On the other hand, people born with pathology (that is, on a lower level of health) are more difficult to treat than people who develop illnesses later during their lifetime.
People under strong allopathic medication which suppresses symptoms (such as steroids and antidepressants) should take low potencies repeatedly until they feel well enough to function without the allopathic medication. In general, the lower the potency, the longer an aggravation will last; conversely, the higher potency, the shorter and more intense aggravation will be observed.
Below I present two of my successful cases to demonstrate the efficacy of homeopathy. Not all my cases are successful, however—or that all people can take only one remedy and become healthy. Indeed, in most cases today we need to give a series of correct remedies in the right sequence, to achieve a successful outcome.
At a Glance
Age: 55-year-old female
Condition: Diabetes
History: Concussion 14 years prior
Initial fasting blood sugar: 220 mg/dl
Highest reported blood sugar: Up to 280 mg/dl
Remedy: Natrum Sulphuricum 200C
Prescribed: For 5 days
Actual intake: Daily for 3 weeks
Follow-up: After 2 months
Fasting blood sugar: 150 mg/dl
Later in the day: 180 mg/dl
Important note: Results may vary; diabetes should not be claimed to be cured through this case.
Case 1
55-year-old female suffering from diabetes
The Intake
The intake of the case was via Skype. Fourteen years prior, she had had a concussion and was taken to the hospital for observation. The doctors discovered she was a diabetic.
During the Intake
She reported that her fasting blood sugar was 220mg/dl during the day, and that it could go up to 280mg/dl. I prescribed Natrum Sulphuricum 200C for five days. She misunderstood the instructions, however, and she took the remedy daily for three weeks.
After two Months
After two months, during the follow up—to my surprise—her blood sugar levels were 150mg/dl fasting and 180mg/dl later in the day. I did not expect such a dramatic change.
Important Note
Of course, we do not expect the same results in all diabetic cases, and it is important not to claim we can cure diabetes. Every organism is different.
At a Glance
Age: 25-year-old female
Primary Concern: Suppressed and irregular menstrual cycles
Cycle Frequency: 3–4 times a year
Duration: 1–2 days per cycle
Diagnosis: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Diagnosis By: Two gynecologists
History: Trying for years to become pregnant
General Health: Otherwise in good health
Remedy Prescribed: Pulsatilla 1M
Dosage: One dose
Follow-up: No formal follow-up; patient later texted the practitioner
Reported Change: Period began occurring every month for several months
Case 2
25-year-old female with suppressed and irregular menstrual cycles
(3 or 4 times a year, for one to two days).
Initial Situation
Two gynecologists had diagnosed her with polycystic ovary syndrome. She had been trying for years to become pregnant. Because she was in otherwise good health, I prescribed one dose of Pulsatilla 1M.
Follow-up (By Text)
She never returned for a follow-up, but she texted to let me know that after she took the remedy, and she began getting her period every month for several months. Three years passed, and we had no other communication.
One evening as I was leaving my office, a woman stopped me and said hello. She asked whether I remembered her. Next to her was her husband; he was holding a toddler. She introduced me to her husband and told me that her child he was holding was theirs. At that point I remembered her!
The success was satisfying and confidence building, although sometimes after I successfully solve a case, a difficult case comes along and challenges my knowledge, reminding me that every case has to be taken with humility. As J. T. Kent wrote:
“Prescribing the homeopathic remedies is such a process of growth and progress, that it may be said that the best of the wine is saved for the last of the feast.”
[JT Kent – Lesser Writings]
I conclude by reminding the reader that the observations in this article are brief and general, and as such, incomplete. For an explanation of prescribing potencies, every homeopath should read and absorb the detailed information in Levels Of Health (forth revised edition, 2022), by George Vithoulkas.