We often read these words in homeopathy books for people and animals, but for some people/new students a more extensive and clear explanation may be useful.

Beginning with the mother tincture (called MT or Q) (preparation of which is explained in another topic on this vet. forum), the dilution process gradually increases the strength of the remedy, since the more dilute it is the stronger or more `potent` it becomes.

The potency of a remedy is a very precise concept and refers to the extent and the number of times the mother tincture of that remedy has been diluted during the preparation.

For example, one drop of the mother tincture of the Arnica montana plant is added to 99 drops of a solution of water and alcohol, and shaken or vibrated vigorously in a process called `succussion`. This diluted solution is known as the first centesimal potency of Arnica, viz. Arnica 1c.

One drop of this new solution (1c) is diluted again in a further 99 drops of the solution of water and alcohol, shaken vigorously (succussed !) and so becomes the second centesimal potency or Arnica 2c etc.

to be continued

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Continuation :

You may also come across remedies in the `x` or `decimal`potency. Remedies are then denoted as 1x, 2x, etc. or in some countries, e.g. the Netherlands, as D1, D2, etc. These (decimal potencies) are prepared in a ratio of 1 to 9 drops instead of the 1 to 99 drops of the `c` or centesimal potency. The decimal potency is commonly used in Continental Europe.

In France odd numbers are used for the c potencies, e.g. 5c, 7c, 9c etc.

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)