Remedies
The remedies are prepared from natural sources, the greatest percentage of which are derived from the plant and mineral kingdoms. A few have been prepared from the animal kingdom in a non violent way. For example, the Honey-Bee - Apis Mellifica and the Spanish Fly - Cantharis.
Remedies are prepared by a method known as ‘Potentisation’, taking a very small amount of the original substance which is diluted in alcohol and shaken (or succussed). A drop of this essence is diluted again in 99 drops of alcohol and succussed. This process of dilution and succession goes on many times until the lowest strength is achieved. The more dilution and succussion that takes place, the more powerful the remedy becomes. The potencies mostly commonly prescribed are as follows: 6c, 30c, 200c, 1000c, 10,000c. This is called the centesimal scale.
Even in the lowest strengths, or’ potencies’ as they are referred to, show little or no chemical trace. It is the dynamic of the remedy that acts to effect a cure. Hence there are no side effects.
Examples of what the remedies can do and the relationship to ‘like cures like’
Al Cepa - the onion. It is quite likely when peeling onions, eyes water. One symptom of hayfever maybe watering eyes and therefore the remedy Al Cepa could be used as a cure.
Apis – the honey bee. A bee sting will cause pain, redness and swelling. Apis would be used to treat this complaint.
Rhus Tox – poison ivy. Touched by this plant can cause itching, blistering and inflammation of the skin. Used homeopathically, it can help cold sores and skin complaints that itch and blister, as part of its field of action.