Glossary of Terms

Potency: The "potency" of a homeopathic remedy refers to how many times it has undergone the process of serial dilution and succussion (known as "potentisation"), and therefore how far it has been removed from a crude or material form. This process is cariied out according to a number of different scales: Decimal, Centessimal and Fifty-Millessimal.

        Decimal scale (1:10): Referred to as "D Potencies" (for "Decimal"), or "X Potencies" after the Roman numeral. One part of the original liquid substance is added to 9 parts of a carrier such as alcohol, and succussed (shaken vigorously) 10 times. The resulting product is referred to as a "D1" or "1X". One part of this is then added to 9 parts of alcohol and succussed 10 times, resulting in a D2 (2X) and so on. A medicine subjected to this process 30 times will thus be called a D30 (30X).

For potentisation of non-liquid substances, the first six steps are done using a carrier of milk-sugar rather than alcohol, and triturated rather than succussed. Once a dilution ration of 1:1,000,000 (6X or D6) has been reached, the insoluble substance is then rendered soluble, and preparation can be continued in a liquid medium as described above.

        Centessimal scale (1:100): Referred to as "C Potencies" (for "Centessimal"). One part of the original liquid substance is added to 99 parts of a carrier such as alcohol, and succussed (shaken vigorously) 10 times. The resulting product is referred to as a "C1" or "1C". One part of this is then added to 99 parts of alcohol and succussed 10 times, resulting in a 2C and so on. A medicine subjected to this process 30 times will thus be called 30C, 200 times will be called 200C and so on. Remedies prepared in this way are sometimes labelled "CH", the H referring to the fact that it has been prepared according to the Hahnemannian method of using one vial per step, as opposed to some of the later, mechanized variations, such as the Korsakovian method (denoted by the letter "K" e.g. 30K, 200K, 1MK etc). For the sake of ease in labeling, at higher potencies the numbers are dropped in favour of Roman numerals. For example 1000C is shortened to 1M (M=Millessimal, or 1000), 10,000C=10M, 50,000C=50M, 100,000C=CM, 1,000,000C=MM etc. These very high potencies (1M and higher) are almost exclusively prepared using mechanized methods such as the Korsakovian, hence 1MK, 10MK 50MK etc. These are always, however, prepared in the centessimal scale.

For potentisation of non-liquid substances, the first three steps are done using a carrier of milk-sugar rather than alcohol, and triturated rather than succussed. Once a dilution ration of 1:1,000,000 (3C) has been reached, the insoluble substance is then rendered soluble, and preparation can be continued in a liquid medium as described above.

       Fifty-Millessimal scale (1:50,000): Referred to as "Q Potencies" (Q stands for quinquagintamillesimal), they are also called "LM Potencies" after the Roman numerals, although this is an incorrect use of Roman numerals (LM actually means 950, not 50,000). The preparation of these 50,000th remedies (quinquagintamillesimal-potencies) is based upon the experiments Hahnemann made later in his life. They are defined in the Organon (6th edition) under § 270. It is essential to use microglobules (1,600 globules per gram) – Hahnemann called them sugar globules the size of poppy seeds – and the method of C3- fresh plant trituration.

Preparation of Q potencies
First of all, a C3-trituration is prepared – each step takes 1 hour - which is then dissolved in a ratio of 1:500 in water and alcohol. One drop of this is then added to 100 drops of alcohol and shaken vigorously 100 times (not 10 times as in the case of D- and C-potencies), resulting in a Q1 potency (1-50,000). Then microglobules (of a size 1,600 globules per gram) are medicated with the solution in a ratio of 1:500 and air-dried.

 The preparation of a Q2 is similar:
1 globule is dissolved in 1 drop of water, which is then diluted in ethanol 90% in a ratio of 1:100 and shaken vigorously 100 times. Then microglobules are medicated with the solution in a ratio of 1:500 and dried.

For the use of a Q-potency one globule (it is very small, which sometimes leads to problems) is dissolved in a 20ml vial filled with a mixture of water and ethanol. Before each administration the vial is shaken ten times. Ethanol is used for preservation reasons. Moreover, it passes through the dripping device more easily.

When taking this remedy it has to be observed that the globules as such are NEVER administered, only the alcoholic solution prepared from the globules. If Q-globules are prescribed, they shall only be used for the preparation of the medicinal solution by the patient himself.

        Nosode:  (From the Greek nosos, 'disease' and eidos, 'from'). These are remedies prepared from diseased tissue or the products of disease. Often used for miasmatic treatment, or the associated disease of the tissue material.