Dear Avalon,

I see I didn't answer your #3 question about aggravations and aren't they normal and why stop the remedy?

Usually, people get an aggravation because too high a potency was given, and since the remedy was given only once, all you can do is wait, you have no options.

On a low potency, you do have options, you can stop. The aggravation is a sign that the vital force has responded to, and is struggling with, the effects of the remedy. Nothing is gained by repeating it--except making things worse. Your hope is that the aggravation will soon wear off and be followed by an amelioration; unfortunately, this does not always happen; sometimes, it's just the wrong remedy.

Snoopy

Snoopy,

Thanks for the further info on Pulsatilla--that sounds like me, all right--and the table of standard dosing for chronic conditions, which is most interesting.

I have the impression that there is a real lack of consensus among contemporary students and practitioners of homeopathy about the dosing and potency issues. Your comments and the separate thread started by Simone confirm that. Fascinating and challenging stuff. I shall have to return to that thread and the link that Simone posted--took a quick look last night and yes indeed, it was a wealth of information, a bit too rich for that late hour!

My unsolicited advice, to you and all the other knowledgeable people here who may happen to read this, after a few years of participating in mailing lists and bulletin boards and reflecting on what they are all about... Don't ever worry too much about any one person who passes through looking to grab a piece of your wisdom/knowledge/experience. Just represent the discipline of homeopathy as precisely and forcefully as you can--that's the important thing. Homeopathy is way underutilized, indeed seems to have been suppressed for many years, in the United States and needs good writers like yourself to defend, clarify and rebuild it.

Thanks again,

Avalon