Homeopathy - Introduction - Sources & Preparations

Homeopathic remedies are derived from vegetable, mineral and animal substances. The remedies are extracted from their sources by a water/alcohol mixture and then filtered to yield a "Mother Tincture". This mother tincture is then diluted in successive steps and the final dilution is used to manufacture the remedy.

Homeopathic remedies are always named according to the Latin name of the original substance. This is followed by a number indicating the frequency of successive dilutions and letters, e.g. "CH", indicating the method of dilution, e.g., (C = x 100 = centesimal).

A dilution of 1CH (Hannemannian centesimal) is obtained by diluting the Mother Tincture one hundred-fold (1/100). This is achieved by diluting 0.1mL of mother-tincture in 9.9mL water or alcohol.

A second dilution, or 2CH, is obtained by diluting the Mother Tincture twice, yielding a ten-thousand-fold dilution of the Mother Tincture (1/100 x 1/100 = 1/10,000). A 3CH medication has been diluted three times by a hundred-fold and so on. Homeopathic remedies often begin at a strength of 6CH and can range up to 10,000CH.

Homeopathic remedies are commonly available in cylindrical tubes containing granules. Other forms include drops and tablets.