Editorials

Who Says What About Dose and Dilution

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Dear Friends,

For well over a year now I have been thinking about creating an E-zine on the subject of dose and dilution.

Just like many of you, I would like to find the answers to the questions of dose and dilution (and repetition of dose). However, one can only conclude that the variety of views on this subject is a strong indication that this aspect of homeopathy still requires much attention and research.

Deciding on the dilution to use was supposed to be simple when I started learning homeopathy: the higher the similitude between the remedy and the patient, the higher the dilution of this remedy that could, or should, be used. That sounds simple enough. But can you always use a high dose when you are sure about your remedy? Can you ever be sure about your remedy? Can all patients take high dilutions? What is a high dilution; 200K or 10M? Is 200D a high dilution? Are LM potencies high dilutions? How often do we give the remedy?

There are many questions and certainly there are more questions than answers.

Being part of the editorial team of Hpathy.com has given me the unique opportunity to be well informed about the many homeopathic ideas and practices that exist. (Of course this opportunity is also there for all the readers who may benefit from the huge number of articles that can be accessed through the site (go to hpathy.com/ezine)

(One such article, by Dr. Jo Rozencwajg, was published in the E-zine last month. The introduction for this article would make a good editorial in its own right: potency selection.)

From this experience I came to the conclusion that one could, for the sake of simplicity, make a crude division of the tendencies in homeopathy into two groups; those who spend most of their energy searching for the one best-ever remedy for each patient with an evolution to using an ever larger number of (new) remedies and, on the other side, those who tend to use a smaller number of remedies but aim to improve the patient by using the right dose at the right time repeated at the right frequency whilst making appropriate remedy changes during the follow up process.

Personally, I would tend to find myself in the first group but there are useful techniques to be gained from those who would find themselves in the second group. That is why there is no reason to see these two groups as being opposed. Both have value to add to the daily practice of homeopathy. In an ideal world you always want to use the best possible remedy for the patient, when for whatever reason, this is not possible the more structured approaches are very valuable.

The subject of this issue highlights again the importance of being broad minded to examine how others make their homeopathic prescriptions. There is a profound need for the community to work together as much as possible. Each of us should work towards acquiring the skill to use several techniques of prescribing and adapt our approach depending on the patient or situation in front of us.

There is one temptation we have to be careful to avoid: we should never prefer a technique over another because of its ease of use: homeopathy is always difficult whatever technique you would like to use or learn. Simplification of homeopathy will always lead to a reduction in its efficacy. Hahnemann was the first to say, imitate me but imitate me better. Let us never forget this.

In the preparation of today’s edition, I went on a scouting expedition for articles. I soon discovered that it was difficult to find people who were willing to write with authority on the subject of dose and dilution in homeopathy. Even homeopaths with a great deal of experience told me the more they advanced, the less they were sure about what should be the best approach to this subject. Others suggested that there is an aspect of trial and error in any
decision making.

Nevertheless, the team has managed to bring together a number ofarticles which support different views. I have also incorporated links to articles previously published in the E-zine which touch on the subject.

We are delighted to have Alize Timmerman in the hot seat again. She will open this edition with a word on her experience with C4 triturations.

The team would very much appreciate your feed-back. How do you approach the question of dilution, dose and repetition of the remedy? Your opinion and experience will help others to progress in their understanding of the subject.

Send your feedback, articles, cases, research and comments to [email protected]

Warm regards,

Edward De Beukelaer
Editor
Homeopathy for Everyone

About the author

Edward De Beukelaer

Edward De Beukelaer, DVM mrcvs, practices classical homeopathy for animals in the UK (Wiltshire and Gloucestershire). 5 St David's Way Marlborough SN8 1DH 07786213636 c/o Riverside Veterinary Centre, Marlborough, Wiltshire, 0167205140875 Severnside Veterinary Group, Lydney, Gloucestershire, 01594 842185 Visit his websites: www.1-4-homeopathy.com and www.marlboroughvets.co.uk

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