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Taking Homeopathy? Do’s and Don’ts You Need to Keep in Mind

Homeopathy Do’s and Dont’s

Issued in Public Interest by


In this issue

  • Commonly Prescribed Forms of Homeopathic Medicines
  • Common Scales
  • How to take
  • Time gap
  • What to Avoid
  • Taking Homeopathy along with Allopathic and other therapies
  • Two Prescriptions at a Time
  • Storage
  • Expiry
  • General consideration
  • Report Unusual

Commonly Prescribed Forms

1. Liquid – Dilutions: The dilutions are one of the most common form of medicines used in homeopathy. These are readily available online as well as on homeopathic pharmaceutical stores and homeopathic physicians. 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. The liquid potencies are commonly available as:

  • Centesimal: denoted by ‘c’, ‘ch’, ‘CH’ or simply nothing is written after the numerical potencies, e.g. 6, 30, 200 etc. are same as 6c, 30c, 200c or 6cH, 30cH or 200cH respectively.
  • LM/50th Millesimal scale/Millesimal scale: 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 as their preparation involves a stepwise manner according to homeopathic principles. These must be taken with proper advise and understanding.

2. Pills (Globules) soaked with liquid dilutions:

  • This is probably the most common method of dispensing homeopathic medicines.
  • Usually, plastic or glass vials are used.
  • There are various sizes of pills (globules) such as 10, 20, 30, 40 etc. and the dosage and repetition is decided by the treating physician.
  • Pills are easy to administer and can be easily given to every age group.
  • 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.
  • Vials cap/cork must be tighten after each use.

3. Biochemic tablets

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

4. Powder form: The powder used in homeopathic prescription is made up of milk sugar and is completely safe, even for kids. The liquid medicine or few medicated pillules are added to the powder as a dose.


5. Mother tinctures

  • Mother tinctures are the crude/base potency of homeopathic medicines.
  • These are diluted with water for usage.
  • Usually these are given in less to moderate doses (ranging from 1 – 30 drops per dose).
  • Prolonged usage of mother tinctures as self-medication must be avoided.
  • It is always advisable to take them with physician’s advice, and checking the expiry date before usage.

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

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

How to take

  • Homeopathic medicines must be taken as per the advice of a registered homeopathic practitioner only.
  • Pills must be taken in the cap of the vial or plastic spoon first and then put in the mouth.
  • The idea behind not touching the medicine is to keep medicine safe from contamination of any kind.
  • Liquid potencies must be diluted in water before consumption. Usually, 04 drops of liquid dilution are diluted with 2 – 4tsp water and 20 drops of mother tinctures are diluted in one cup of water, but this dilution factor may vary from practitioner to practitioner.
  • 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 that lesser the smell in the mouth more effective the medicine would be.
  • As a general advice, a patient need to 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 is no restriction 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 food/environmental items, 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.
  • You may 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 research and experience, homeopathy can be taken as Add-on or complementary therapy along with other therapies or allopathic medicines.
  • A half an hour gap is advisable between homeopathic and other medications.
  • These situations are common when the patient is on essential medicines such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiac disorders, Thyroid disorders or life-saving medicines as in accident 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 especially biochemic tablets, combinations, patents and mother tinctures.
  • 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, pills dissolve immediately, it points towards discarding the dilution.

General considerations

  • 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.


Disclaimer

This article does not intend to replace the in-person consultation. The facts are for general purpose and public awareness only, and must not be taken as Medical Consultation in any form. For consultation, treatment and specific queries you need to contact your healthcare professional.


Not for Medico-legal purposes.


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