About Homeopathic Medicines: Types, Storage, and Rules of Administration

Discover the best practices for storing homeopathic remedies and the guidelines for their proper administration to ensure effectiveness

Homeopathic remedies are medications prescribed to you by a doctor who utilizes homeopathic methods in their practice. For example: Arnica, Lachesis, Bryonia, Sepia, etc.

It is crucial to know how to administer them and store, as it may greatly affect the course of the treatment and its' results. Mistakes in administration and storage may lead to weakening of the effects of the homeopathic remedy, which may make your homeopath to wrongly evaluate your case and the chosen remedy, and switch it earlier than necessary.

Forms of Homeopathic Medicines

Homeopathic preparations consist of various components, such as minerals, plants, poisons, nosodes, and other substances. Homeopathic medicines are usualy available in the form of drops, granules or ointments, although some other unconventional forms do exist. Drops typically contain water and ethanol, with only water-based preparations for children having a shorter shelf life (3-7 days). The granules are based on lactose (or sucrose) and are taken sublingually (under the tongue) until fully dissolved. The advantages of granules include easy dosing and a long shelf life (several years). All homeopathic medicines should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from heat sources, electrical appliances, electromagnetic devices, and mobile phones.

Storage of Homeopathic Medicines at Home

Homeopathic preparations can be stored indefinitely if certain precautions are followed:

• Store homeopathic medicines separately from conventional medicines and aromatic substances.

• Protect from direct sunlight.

• Keep away from heat sources, electrical appliances, electromagnetic devices, and mobile phones.

• During travel, avoid exposing homeopathic medicines to X-ray radiation at security checkpoints.

Features of Homeopathic Treatment

When prescribing treatment, the doctor determines the appropriate homeopathic remedy, its dosage, and the frequency of administration. The homeopath may provide the medicine directly or write a prescription to be filled at a homeopathic pharmacy. Patients are advised to report the progress of treatment monthly, weekly, daily, or hourly. The frequency of consultations will be adjusted based on indications, and the specialist may modify prescriptions as needed. Treatment duration varies: it can be minutes, hours, or days for acute conditions and exacerbations of chronic diseases, while chronic disease treatment may take weeks or months. Maintenance therapy can continue for several years.

Rules for Taking Homeopathic Medicines

These are some basic rules for administration of homeopathic remedies, but you should always follow the guidelines provided by your homeopath.

The single dose is independent of the patient’s age and is prescribed at the discretion of the homeopath.

Homeopathic granules should not be swallowed or chewed but placed under the tongue and dissolved. If multiple remedies are prescribed simultaneously, they should be taken separately with at least a 5-minute interval.

Usually to administer homeopathy you should take 2 granules 30 minutes before or after food/drink/smoking/tooth brushing. Use a plastic spoon or other non-metallic cutlery to take them, do not touch the globules with bare hands.

During homeopathic treatment it is strictly forbidden to take coffee, as it may completely cancel the effect of the remedy. Drugs, like cannabis, are also strictly prohibited. You should also reduce the amount of alcoholic beverages, smoking and mint (menthol), as they weaken the effect of homeopathic substances, although some reasonable amount is allowed. Some homeopaths also forbid to take cocoa, chamomile and camphor oils. You may be advised to switch your toothpaste to another one without mint/menthol for best results.

Basically, homeopathic remedy can be hindered by any substance which can cause nervous excitement on your brain. Sometimes this can be produced even by mere incense. What you should remember is that homeopathic remedy in the organism has some resistance to any substance and even if you are affected by any of the above if you accidentally took it, you may notice slight deterioration of your treatment, but it in a few days homeopathic remedy will take effect again without need to readminister. This is especially true for high dilution doses of homeopathy. In each case where you took some of the prohibited substances you should always notify your doctor, and he will decide whether you need to wait for a few days to see if the action of the remedy continues, or to readminister the remedy right away. It is important not to readminister the remedy if you are not sure, as it may cause unnecessary aggravation of your symptoms and may increase total time of the treatment.

Remember, that excessive stress can also cause hinderance to homeopathic treatment. Do not add additional stress by becoming nervous if you accidentally took small amount of the prohibited substance, as homeopathy will likely restore itself soon. The most important is to avoid recreational drugs and coffee.

The frequency of administration depends on the severity of the condition. In acute cases, the medicine can be taken every half hour (e.g., at the onset of acute respiratory infections, severe toothache). On the second or third day of the illness, 3-4 times a day, and finally, during the recovery stage, 1-2 times a day. For chronic conditions, the medicine may be given once every 1, 2, 3-6 months, once a year, or even just once.

Body’s Reaction to the Medicine

In homeopathy, it is essential to observe the body’s response after taking the medicine. This can be an improvement or a temporary worsening of symptoms, followed by full recovery. This exacerbation, called a healing crisis, can manifest as sudden diarrhea, heavy menstruation, mucus discharge, profuse sweating, drowsiness, or the recurrence of previously suppressed skin rashes. There is no need to be alarmed. Exacerbations will pass quickly, taking the disease with them. If the patient does not understand the meaning of what is happening and turns to other methods of treatment, the benefits of homeopathic treatment will be lost.

Patient Guide

• Classical homeopathy treats the patient, not the disease.

• One homeopathic remedy is prescribed, with pathogenesis similar to the clinical course of the disease in this specific patient.

• Medicines work on the principle of "like cures like."

• When the remedy is similar, its dose for therapeutic effect can and should be very small.

• Homeopathic medicine has a regulatory effect not only on the affected organ but on the whole body.

• The effect is quick in acute diseases and gradual in chronic diseases.

• Initial treatment may cause a temporary worsening of the patient’s condition, with the aggravation of previously "treated" diseases, like skin rashes. This is a positive effect, as homeopathy heals through the exacerbation of pathology.

• Homeopathic granules are placed under the tongue and dissolved completely. During homeopathic treatment, there should be no strong odors (like onion, garlic, coffee, menthol) in the mouth.

• Homeopathic medicines should be stored in a dry, cool place, away from sunlight, strong-smelling substances (camphor, perfumes), and electrical appliances.

• During treatment by a homeopath, do not use additional homeopathic medicines not prescribed by the doctor, as this can alter the disease picture and complicate finding the necessary remedy.

• If you wish to use other treatment methods along with homeopathy, inform your treating doctor for adjustments to homeopathic treatment.

• Patience and wisdom are necessary for homeopathic patients since chronic conditions cannot be cured overnight. The best results are achieved through the joint efforts of the doctor and patient.

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