The most extensive do's and don'ts While Taking Homeopathic Medicine by 
Dr. Saurav Arora, Gold Medalist MD (Hom.), Co-Founder: Vivid Homeopathy and
Dr. Bharti Arora, Silver Medalist MD (Hom.), Co-Founder: Vivid Homeopathy
(c) Vivid Homeopathy

Homeopathy is an alternative medical practice that is based on the principle of “like cures like.” Homeopathy is a science as well as an art as it’s practice depends upon sound knowledge of principles and art of prescribing which is developed over the years. While taking homeopathy, one may have many questions, dos and don’ts, which, sometimes are not addressed properly. This article aims to shorten the gap by presenting the facts and information related to the topic.

Commonly Prescribed Forms of Homeopathic Medicines

1. Liquid – Dilutions

The dilutions (liquid) are one of the most common forms of medicines used in homeopathy. These are readily available online, at homeopathic pharmaceutical stores (homeopathic pharmacies) and with homeopathic physicians (depending on your country’s regulation and availability of medicines). The potency of each medicine is indicated on the label, along with the name of the medicine. It must be carefully read and understood before taking medicine. For example Belladonna 30x is different from Belladonna 30c.

1. 1. The liquid potencies are commonly available as:
      1. Centesimal potencies: denoted by ‘c’, ‘ch’, ‘CH’ or simply written as number, e.g. 6, 30, 200 etc.
      2. Number without letters appended are same for example Belladonna 6 or Belladonna 6cH or Belladonna 6c, Coffea 30 or Coffea 30c, Aconite 200 or Aconite 200c are all same.
      3. LM / 50^th Millesimal scale/ Millesimal scale/ Aqua potencies: The medicines are denoted either as LM/1, LM/2, etc. or 0/1, 0/2 and so on. These are generally prepared by the pharmacy or the homeopathic physician. The preparation of LM requires skill and involves a stepwise manner according to homeopathic principles.
      4. For LM potencies there are several methods applicable for their intake, therefore, proper advise and understanding is a must.

2. Pills (Globules) soaked with liquid dilutions:

1. 1. Pills are probably the most common method of dispensing homeopathic medicines.
   2. Pills and Globules are synonymous in Homeopathy.
   3. For their dispensing plastic or glass vials are used primarily.
   4. Pills are available in various sizes (globules) such as 10, 20, 30, 40 etc. / 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, etc.,
   5. The dosage and repetition is decided by the treating physician.
   6. Pills are easy to administer and can be easily given to every age group.
   7. Pills are made up of sucrose/lactose sugar and are naturally white, therefore, if you note any change in their colour you must not use them anyway.
   8. Vials cap/cork must be tighten after each use.

3. Biochemic tablets:

1. 1. 1. Biochemic salts (also known as Schussler’s salt are commonly prescribed along with homeopathic medicines as  add-on or adjuvant.
      2. Their dose depends upon clinical condition and chronicity of the disease.
      3. For almost all biochemic salts and bio-combinations the dosage is mentioned on the packaging / leaflet provided with them.
      4. Commonly 4-8 tabs per dose are recommended by the homeopathic physicians.
      5. If there is any change in colour of tabs, their usage must be avoided.

4. Powder form:

1. 1. 1. The powder used in homeopathic prescription is made up of milk sugar and is completely safe, even for kids.
      2. The liquid medicine or few medicated pillules are added to the powder as a dose.
      3. The powder should be freshly prepared and dispensed.

5. Mother tinctures:

1. 1. Mother tinctures are the starting preparation of homeopathic medicines. These are also referred to as base potency / crude medicine.
   2. Mother tinctures should be diluted with water for use.
   3. These are given in less to moderate doses (ranging from 1 – 30 drops per dose) depending upon the condition and need of the patient.
   4. Prolonged usage of mother tinctures as self-medication must be avoided.
   5. It is always advisable to take them with a physician’s advice
   6. Expiry date must be checked before usage.
   7. If a bottle of tincture (sealed one) has left with less than the quantity when packed, do not use them. For example if you can see only few ml of medicines left in a bottle of 30ml of tincture which was never opened, do not use it.

6. Triturated Tablets

Triturated tablets are form of homeopathic medicines containing low potencies of medicines in a suitable base (e.g. lactose). These are consumed either by chewing or crushed and mixed with water. Triturated tablets are commonly denoted with ‘x’ along with name of medicines e.g. Thyroidinum 3x, Insulinum 6x, etc.

Common Scales

1. Decimal – denoted by ‘x’ such as Calcarea phosphorica 6x;
2. Centesimal – denoted by c, ch or CH as in liquid potencies.
3. LM/Fifty Millesimal/LM/Aqua – liquid potencies.

How to take

• Homeopathic medicines must be taken as per the advice of a registered homeopathic practitioner only.
• Pills must be put in the cap of the vial or spoon first and then put in the mouth.
• The purpose behind “Do not touch the globules” is to keep medicine safe from contamination of any kind.
• Liquid potencies must be diluted in water before consumption.
• The dilution factor depends upon a physician’s perception and experience, but usually upto 15 drops can be diluted in one cup of water (around 150ml). This varies from physician to physician and settings to settings.
• Mother tinctures, similarly, must be diluted before using orally.
• For local application mother tinctures should be used as advised.
• Bottles must be capped and tightened properly after each use.

Time gap

• There must be an ample time gap between meals/consuming homeopathic medicines.
• The basic logic is – lesser the smell in the mouth more effective the medicine would be.
• As a general advice, give a gap of 20 – 30 minutes before and after taking homeopathic medicines.
• However, there is no restriction on having water immediately before or after taking medicines.

What to Avoid

• In general, there are no restrictions to onion and garlic (as commonly asked by the patients), provided patient maintains an ample gap between meals and medicines (before or after taking medicine).
• In some cases, there are specific restriction of certain foods, which are clearly told by the treating physician.
• Strong smelling food items must be avoided immediately before or after taking homeopathic medicine.
• One may take Tea, Coffee, etc. (in less to moderate quantity), if not specifically restricted by the treating physician.
• Tobacco (chewing and smoking), alcohol, drugs are to be strictly avoided while taking homeopathic treatment.
• Avoid strong smelling perfumes, medicated soaps, scented hair oils etc., only if asked by the treating physician.

Taking Homeopathy along with Allopathic and other therapies

• As per latest researches and experience, homeopathy can be taken as Add-on or complementary therapy along with other therapies or with allopathic medicines.
• A gap is advisable between homeopathic and other medications, an hour gap should be sufficient.
• These situations are common when the patient is on essential medicines such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiac disorders, Thyroid disorders or life-saving medicines as for accidents or post-surgery, in such cases, you must follow the treating physician’s advice.
• The route of action of homeopathy is different from the conventional medicines, hence it may be taken along with conventional medicines.

Two Prescriptions at Same Time

• Many a time patients ask about taking prescription from two homeopathic practitioners at the same time for two different problems. This must be avoided.
• A patient should follow a single homeopathic practitioner/prescription at a time.
• However, if required, second opinions may be obtained from other homeopathic or senior medical professionals.

Storage

• Homeopathic medicines must be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat, radiations such as microwave, TV, or strong odors such as camphor, solvents, paint, and chemicals etc.
• Homeopathic medicines should not be refrigerated.
• Their storage must be out of reach of children.
• Medicines must be tightly capped after each use.

Expiry

• Nowadays every homeopathic medicine comes with a pre-defined expiry, therefore, before use, it should be checked.
• The expiry of homeopathic medicines and formulation vary from region to region and according to type of preparation.
• If there is any change in colour of the pills, biochemic tablets or change in consistency/colour change in liquid dilution/tinctures, one must not consume them.
• For liquid dilutions, if by adding liquid dilution to the pills, pills get dissolve, then it is not advisable to use it.

General consideration

• Homeopathic medicines are completely safe but must be taken with consultation and supervision only.
• A qualified homeopathic practitioner knows the dosage, repetition and potency selection and therefore, helps a patient with right medicine – right dose – and right repetition.
• Self-medication must be avoided.
• Many times, people keep on taking mother tinctures in substantiate dosage for long without consulting a physician. Such a usage is not advisable at all.

Report Unusual

Homeopathic medicines are amongst the safest medicines with no side effects, however, there may arise a condition when your symptoms may get aggravated due to other factors (self-medication, progressive medical condition, side effects of other medicines etc.). If you feel any other symptom or deviation from health, you should immediately report it to your treating physician. (c) www.vividhomeopathy.com