INTRODUCTION
Dictionary meaning-Potentia-means power, ability to
perform
Potential-capable of coming into action
Potentiate-make more powerful
Homoeopathic
dynamization is a process by which the medicinal properties which are latent in
natural substances while in their crude state, become enable to act in an
almost spiritual manner.
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| History And Evolution of Potentization |
POTENTIZATION ACCORDING TO STUART CLOSE…..
“Homoeopathic potentization is a mathematico-mechanical process for the reduction, according to the scale, of crude, inert or poisonous medical substances to a state of physical solubility, physiological assimilability and therapeutic activity and harmlessness, for use as homoeopathic healing remedies”
DYNAMIC POWER
Dynamic
action or power is the action of one substance to another substance without
being able to recognize a sensible connection between cause and effect.
Homoeopathic dynamizations are processes by which the medicinal properties that
are latent in natural
substances
while in their crude state, become aroused, and then become enabled to act in
an almost spiritual manner on our life, i.e. on our sensible and irritable
fibre.
The
homoeopathic system of medicine develops for its special uses, to a hitherto
unheard of degree, the inner medicinal powers of the crude substances by means
of a process peculiar to it and which has hitherto never been tried, whereby
only they all become immeasurably and penetrating efficacious and remedial,
even those that in the crude state given no evidence of the slightest medicinal
power on the human body.
This
is effected by mechanical action upon their smallest particles by means of
rubbing and shaking and through the addition of an indifferent substance dry or
fluid. This is called dynamizing; potentizing and the products are
dynamizations or potencies in different degree [aphorism 269, 6th
edition, Organon of Medicine]
ADVANTAGES
OF POTENTIZATION
- To avoid unnecessary medicinal aggravation and side effects by a continued process of reducing the material quantity of a drug.
- Medicinal properties that are latent in crude state become aroused and awakened into activity.
- Substances that are poisonous or toxic in their crude state become important beneficial remedies after potentization, like corrosive acids, poisons, heavy metals, venom, etc.
- Substances that are medicinally inert in their crude state may be rendered active after potentization.
- The concept of life, health and disease is not material, but dynamic in nature. Hence the concept of cure is also dynamic-and these properties are revealed by potentization and proving’s.
- Potentization helps reveal peculiar ‘individualistic’ properties of a drug aiding in selection of the similimum on the basis of similarity of these peculiar individualistic symptoms.
- Abnormal susceptibilities, constitutional abnormalities, miasms can only be cured by dynamic and deep action of the drug. This is only possible by potentised medicine.
- The medicinal qualities of other drugs which are more or less active in their natural state are enhanced and the spheres of action are broadened by this process.
SCALES OF
POTENTIZATION
1.
For Trituration a).Centesimal scale b).Decimal scale
2.
For Succussion
a).Centesimal
scale b) Decimal scale
c) 50 millesimal scale.
CENTESIMAL SCALE
This
scale was introduced by Hahnemann in 5th edition of Organon of
Medicine, aphorism 270 and is more commonly used.
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Centesimal scale
of potentization is based on the principle that the first potency must contain
the one-hundredth part of the drug and each following, the one-hundredth part
of the preceding one.
Designation:
This
scale is designated by suffixing the letter ‘C’ or ‘CH’ to the number
indicating the potency,
i.e.
the first potency is 1C or 1 CH, followed by 2C or 2 Chand so on. The higher strengths are usually
represented by Roman numerals 1M =1,000
10M =10,000
50M =50,000
CM =1,00000
MECHANISM OF POTENTIZATION:
A. For soluble substances
(succussion)
“Thus two drops of
the fresh vegetable juice mingled with equal parts of alcohol are diluted with
ninety-eight drops of alcohol and potentized by means of two succussions,
whereby the first development of power is formed and this process is repeated
through twenty-nine more phials, each of which is filled three-quarters full
with ninety-nine drops of alcohol, and each succeeding phial is to be provided
with one drop from the preceding phial (which has already been shaken twice)
and is in its turn twice shaken, and in the same manner at last the thirtieth
development of power (potentized decillionth dilution
1.
First stage: Duration 20
minutes. a).First Sub-stage : Duration 10 minutes
1
grain of drug substances is added to 33 grains by weight of sugar of milk in a
clear unglazed porcelain mortar. Then it is triturated through the following
stages. (i.)Rubbing: 6-7 minutes
It
is grinded with pestle. The grinding should be steady and non-stop with uniform
forced strength, in one direction either clockwise or anticlockwise.
(ii) Scraping- 3-4 minutes.
It
is then scraped from the wall of the mortar to which it adheres and uniformly
mixed with spatula for a period of 3- 4 minutes and mixing for a moment.
b). Second sub-stage: Duration 10 minutes it also consists
of three phases…. (i.)Rubbing: 6-7 minutes
(ii) Scraping : 3- 4 minutes
Procedure
in second sub-stage is almost similar to that of the first sub-stage. Thus 20
minutes of first stage of trituration is completed.
2.Second stage: Duration 20 minutes
This stage is also sub-divided into
two sub- stages.
a) First sub-stage: Duration 10 minutes.
At
the beginning of the first sub-stage 33 grains of sugar of milk is added to the
triturated substance which has triturated in the first stage. It consists of
three phases- (i.)Rubbing: 6-7 minutes
(ii) Scraping : 3-4 minutes
So first sub-stage is completed
b)
Second sub-stage: Duration 10 minutes It also consists of three phases-
(i.)Rubbing: 6-7 minutes
(ii) Scraping: 3-4 minutes
Now the 20 minutes of the second stage
is completed
3. Third
stage: Duration
20 minutes.
This stage is also sub-divided into
two sub- stages.
a) First sub-stage: Duration 10 minutes.
Here,
remaining 33 grains of sugar of milk is added to the triturated substances
which are triturated in the second stage. It consists of three phases-
(i.)Rubbing: 6-7 minutes
(ii) Scraping : 3- 4 minutes
So first sub-stage is completed
b)
Second sub-stage: Duration 10 minutes It also consists of three phases-
(i.)Rubbing: 6-7 minutes
(ii) Scraping : 3-4 minutes
This complete sixty minutes of the process and the final and third stage of trituration.
DECIMAL SCALE
Although in Hahnemann’s time another
method, the decimal scale, which found many adherents among homoeopathic
physicians, became popular.
Decimal
scale of potentization is based on the principle that the first potency should
contain one-tenth part of the potency preceding it.
Dr. Constantine Hering of Philadelphia
was the first who introduced the decimal scale.
DESIGNATION
The decimal potency is denoted by suffixing the letter ‘X’ or ‘D’ to the number indicating the potency, i.e. the first potency is 1X or 1D in the decimal scale, followed by 2X or 2D and so on.
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| Potentization Machine Process |
MECHANISM OF POTENTIZATION:
A. For soluble substances (succussion)
·
Take a phial preferably of ten milliliters or bigger size, perfectly clean and new and fit a
good new cork into it. Mark the name
of the drug with 2X or 2D on the cork.
·
Pour into it, the exact proportion of the mother
tincture of the drug (one part), and then added a suitable vehicle like dispensing alcohol (nine parts),
taking care that one-third of the phial remains empty for succussions. Put the
cork on the phial
·
Grasp the phial in
the right hand with the thumb held firmly over the cork and strike it with ten powerful downward strokes of
the arm, or by striking the closed
right hand against the palm of the left
hand or hard but elastic body or by a suitable mechanical potentizer,
letting each stroke terminate in a
jerk. The 2X or 2D potency is now ready.
B.
For insoluble substances (trituration)
One part by
weight of the drug to be triturated is taken. The total quantity of milk of
sugar taken is nine parts by weight.
The sugar of milk
is divided into three parts [1 part: 3 parts: 5 parts] as per pharmacopoeia.
The sugar of milk, according to some authorities may also be divided into three
equal parts [3 parts: 3 parts: 3 parts]
The division of
sugar of milk is carried out with the understanding that there is a homogenous
and uniform mixing of the drug with the vehicle.
The trituration
is then carried out with the three parts of sugar of milk, as directed. This is
preserved with the level mentioning the name of the remedy with the potency 1X.
For the
subsequent potencies, up to 6X, one part by weight of the preceding potency is
triturated for one hour with nine parts by weight of sugar of milk as directed
to get the desired potency.
A clean, new
round phial fitted with a new velvet cork is taken. The cork is marked with the
name of the drug to be prepared and 8X Potency written on it. Then the cork is
removed and 1 grain of 6X trituration of the drug is put into the phial. 50
minims of purified water is poured over it. The phial is stirred well to
dissolve the drug substance. 50 minims of dilute alcohol is added to it and
corked it. Give ten succussions to this liquid mixture. Thus 8X potency is
prepared. 7X potency cannot be prepared according to decimal scale because if 9
minims of alcohol is taken and success it with 1 grain of 6X potency, then it
will not be dissolve.
The
preparation of 8X from 6X trituration in this way is known as “jumping or
fluxion potency”.
Potentization Machine Process-1 
Potentization Machine Process-2 
Potentization Machine Process-3 
Potentization Machine Process-4
50 MILLESIMAL SCALE
“I have now,
after eighteen months of works, finished the sixth edition of my Organon, the
most nearly perfect of all”.
Dr. Hahnemann
(Transalator’s
preface, Organon, 6th edition)
“What I said
in the fifth edition of the
Organon, in a long note to this paragraph in order to prevent these undesirable reactions of
the vital energy, was all that the experience I then had justified.
But during the last four or five years, however, all these difficulties are wholly solved
by my new altered but
perfected method.”
Dr. Hahnemann
(Footnote no. 132, Organon, 6th edition)
“In the new
edition of the Organon improved and completed by Hahnemann himself, a new
simplified procedure for the potentizing of medicines will be taught, which has
considerable advantages over the former and yields a preparations as to the
efficiency of which I can, from my own experience give full praise.”
Dr. C.
M. F. von Boenninghausen
(The lesser writings,
p.74) “The sixth and last edition
was also prepared by Hahnemann. The sixth edition, as now extent, is
taken from that
in every detail. It is a total revision…there are considerable extensions,
especially towards the end. Whole paragraphs with several pages have undergone
a totally new arrangement.”
Dr. R. Haehl, M.D.
(Samuel Hahnemann: His life
and work, pp.86-87)
“Historically,
the book in its sixth edition is of the greatest interest and importance,
completing as it does the marvelous array of Hahnemann’s philosophic insight into
the practice of medicine.”
Dr. W. Boericke
(Translator’s
preface, Organon, 6th Edition)
“Hahnemann’s
Organon of Medicine goes out to teach symptoms similarity as the experimental
basis of pathologic and therapeutic diagnosis, as the echte Heilweg of
scientific medicine.”
Dr. James Krauss, M.D.
(Introduction to the Organon,
6th edition)
“The
main points which I wish to raise here are either entirely new or somewhat
revolutionary when compared with accepted notions divulged and applied in the
five earlier editions of the Organon, or points already stated but redrafted
and re-examined.”
Dr. Pierre Schmidt
(The Organon and its Hidden Treasures)
“With these
marvelous dilutions one can obtain marvelous cures too, and shorter time with
the usual centesimal potencies.”
Dr. Charles Pahud
(Experience with Hahnemann’s
50,000th Dilutions.)
“Hahnemann made
many changes and some additions in his revision of the fifth edition of his
Organon, the most important of which is what he terms his new and improved
method….
Dr. Harvey Farrington
(The
Real Advantage of 50 Millesimal Potencies,
p.15)
- Preparation of the second potency (0/2): Only 1 globule (10 no size) of the first potency is taken in a “second new phial” and 1 drop of distilled water is added to dissolve it. 100 drops of alcohol is added and 100 succussions are given.
=2nd
potency or LM/2
- Conversion in the form of globules: With this alcoholic medicinal fluid, globules are again moistened and spread upon blotting paper and dried quickly. These are put into well-stoppered phial protected from heat and sunlight. This is the 2nd degree of dynamization or 2nd potency (0/2, or LM/2, or M/2).
- The above mentioned process is repeated with one globule to the previous potency to increase it to next potency. The process is continued up to 0/30 or on onwards up to 0/50 or 0/60 as per necessity.
PREPARATION OF THE DOSE FOR LM
POTENCIES (6th edition, Organon of Medicine, Apho. 272)
1. Take 1
(rarely 2) globule of the desired potency (usually starting at LM/1) and place it into a clean bottle. The average size
of solution is between 4 oz. and 6
oz. of distilled pure water.
Normally this
watery solution includes 15 to 20 drops of alcohol, as a preservative and
stabilizer. There should be sufficient
room for succussions. This medicinal solution is
now ready for use.
2. Succuss the
bottle just prior to ingestion 8, 10,
or 12 times, depending on the sensitivity of the patient. This raises slightly the potency and
activates the remedy.
3.
After succussion, take 1 or more rarely 2 or 3 teaspoons of
the medicinal solution and place it into
4 to 6 oz. of water in a dilution
glass and stir. Most cases are begun with 1 teaspoon and the amount is increases only if necessary; in children the amount may be ½ teaspoon; infants may only need ¼ of a teaspoon. This is the first
dose. Throw away the rest.
DOSE AND FORM
- Each dose should be as small as possible, except in primary manifestation of miasm, where it is given in high dose in higher degrees
- Medicine should be given in many dose
- Medicine should be given in liquid form only by oral, olfaction, or by milk of mother or nurse.
CONDITION OF APPLICATION OF
MEDICINE (6th
edition, Organon of Medicine, Apho.246)
- The medicine selected with utmost care should be perfectly homoeopathic.
- It should be highly potentised according to Organon, 6th edition.
- It should be dissolve into water.
- Smallest possible dose.
- Subsequent dose higher than previous one.
- It should be administered after each definite period of time.
If these conditions are fulfilled, a much more rapid cure must be obtained.
IF AGGRAVATION IS FOUND DURING TREATMENT
If there is any
aggravation during the course of treatment we are to decide whether the
aggravation is –
(a) Similar
(b) Dissimilar
(a)
SIMILAR AGGRAVATION (6th edition Organon of Medicine, Apho. 248) : It may be termed as similar if the aggravation corresponds to the
totality of symptoms found at the first prescription, i.e. skin disease aggravated in
patient’s suffering from it. Asthma in
asthma patient’s. In those cases it must be
definitely
taken for granted that the dose
were altogether too large. Aggravation due to these
sorts of large
doses appear from the first dose. If the medicine is stopped for a day or two
or three at best, aggravation due to large doses will disappear gradually.
(b)
DISSIMILAR AGGRAVATION (6th edition Organon of Medicine,
Apho.248- 249)
Aggravation due
to appearance of new symptoms which were not found in the patient previously
may be termed as dissimilar aggravation. If it happens we are to realise that-
- There is no need for the medicine of first prescription.
- The first prescription was wrong.
- If such be the case history of the patient is to be recorded afresh.
- On the basis of totality of symptoms for the second time medicine is to be selected.
- If aggravation is violent and unbearable first of all an antidote is to be applied followed by the well selected medicines.
- If aggravation is tolerable, a newly selected medicine is to be administered without a delay.
ADVANTAGES OF LM POTENCIES
- Useful in both acute and chronic disease
- Action is immediate. Time span for cure is reduced to minimum.
- Medicine can be repeated if necessary.
- Convenient to use in hyper sensitive persons.
- No worry of over dosing
- Toxic medicine can be used safely and can be repeated frequently
- Deep acting medicines medicine can be repeated if necessary.
DISADVANTAGES OF LM POTENCIES
- Administration and repeated succussion in between dose is a real obstacle of trust.
- Illiterate patients must be educated properly.
- Limited potency is available
- All medicines in this scale are not available.
- No clear mentioning about the amount of water to be dissolved with medicine
- No mentioning of complementary remedy.
- Illiterate patients can not properly judge Homoeopathic aggravation. So they will continue medicine even after required dose.
REFERENCES
1. CLOSE S. (1921). The genius of homoeopathy. New Delhi: B. Jain publishers (P) Ltd.2016
2. Goel S. Art and science of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, Third Enlarged and Revised Edition. New delhi. Indian books & Periodicals Publishers.2015
3. Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine translated by R E Dudgeon. 5th Edition; New Delhi: New Delhi: B. Jain publishers (P) Ltd.2014
4. HOMOEOPATHIC PHARMACOPIA OF INDIA [H.P.I]. Volume, Govt. of India 1971.
5.
CHOUDHURY H. 50 Millesimal Potency in Theory and Practice (Third revised and Enlarged edition). New delhi. B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.2012
6.
Iyer NH. 50 Millesimal Scale
Potency – A critical study – Part II.[Cited 18 Jul 2020]. Available from
https://www.homeobook.com/50-millesimal-scale-potency-a-critical-study-part- ii/
