How to give homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic remedies are tested individually and proven for oral (mucosal) administration. Potentized tinctures are added to milk sugar pellets which may be given dry on the tongue or gums, or diluted in water. Here are some general tips for storing and giving remedies; individual recommendations may vary.
In classical homeopathy, single remedies are given to encourage a healing response, and then repeated when the healing response is concluding unless a different remedy becomes indicated. Based on the individual case, a remedy may be repeated within a few minutes, every few days, every few weeks or even every few months, or never. Repeating a remedy before it is needed may be counterproductive.
The remedy potency is a key factor in the remedy’s action, and is determined by its original formulation. Remedies come in X, C, M, LM and Q potencies. Unlike conventional medicines, the exact number of pellets is less important than the potency. This is helpful when giving dry pellets to animals, as it may be unclear how many pellets are actually getting into their mouths.
Remedies should be stored away from high heat, microwaves or magnets. Liquid remedies should be refrigerated if not used within several weeks. Properly stored remedies remain stable for decades.
Remedies should be given orally apart from other food or water by at least 5 minutes, if possible. This is so the remedy is absorbed without sensory distraction. However, if it is not possible to give the remedy any other way, it may be given with dairy (see below) or other food if absolutely necessary, for example to feral animals.
Dry pellets come in different sizes. If you are giving the #10 pellets, which are about the size of a poppy seed, these will stick to your pet’s tongue or gums and they can’t spit them out. You can put a few in a folded piece of paper, or a demitasse spoon, and give them orally. (There is no need to place them under the tongue or at the back of the throat.) Cats: squeeze the sides of the mouth gently at the corners of the jaw, and tip the remedy into the front of the mouth. Dogs: it may be convenient to introduce into the space on the side of the mouth behind the large canine teeth. The remedies taste slightly sweet if anything ~ any tongue or jaw motions are a response to the texture (the pellets dissolve very quickly), not a bad taste.
If you are working with larger pellets, for example Boiron pellets (#30), these may be crushed in the corner of a clean envelope and the powder may be given as above. Otherwise the larger size pellets may be spit out before they have a chance to dissolve.
You may also give the remedy as a solution. You can dissolve 1 or 2 pellets in any amount of water; if you will be repeating the remedy, it may be convenient to make up a 6-8 oz. glass jar and store it in the refrigerator. (Note: these instructions apply to X, C or M potencies, not LM.)
Since the pellets are milk sugar based, you may also give the remedy dissolved or mixed in dairy product (cow, sheep or goat). Cream, milk, ice cream, yogurt or sour cream are all options and will not interfere with the remedy’s action. The milk sugar pellets are not problematic for dairy sensitive individuals.
LM potencies will be made up by you at each administration from a stock solution. Based on your individual dosing schedule, you will shake (succuss) the stock solution a certain number of times , add a specific number of drops to a cup of distilled or spring water, stir, and give a specific amount of the dilution by mouth with a dropper or spoon. You will gradually increase the number of succussions and drops based on your animal’s progress. Dosing with LMs may be daily or less frequent. The supplies can be washed in hot water afterwards, sterilization is not necessary.