Homeopathy dosage: dilutions (CH/DH/K), how to take it, and essential precautions

This page is for educational purposes: it explains notions and a reading logic often presented in homeopathic literature. It does not replace a consultation, a diagnosis, or a prescription. For any use, ask your pharmacist or a healthcare professional for advice—especially for children, during pregnancy, in cases of chronic illness, mental health concerns, or persistent symptoms.

In homeopathy, "dosage" covers two different things:

  • how often you take it (pellets, globules, drops… how many times per day, for how long).
  • the dilution (CH, DH, K, sometimes LM) shown on the tube or on a prescription.

Here, the goal is educational: understanding the most common reference points, without replacing a healthcare professional’s advice. For any use, refer to the leaflet and/or your pharmacist’s guidance.

Dilutions and similitude: understanding the logic behind the choice

In homeopathic practice, the choice of dilution mainly depends on two elements: the context (acute or chronic) and the quality of the match (“similitude”) between the patient’s symptoms and the remedy’s description.

Low to medium potencies (5 CH, 7 CH, 9 CH)

Used in two situations:

  • Acute cases with low similitude: the remedy choice is based mainly on a local symptom, without other characteristic elements.
  • Common examples:

Arnica for a trauma

Rhus tox for tendinitis

Ferrum phos at the start of a febrile state with moderate fever, without other distinctive symptoms or modalities

Higher potencies (15 CH, 30 CH and beyond)

Preferred in two contexts:

  • Chronic cases (symptoms established over time)
  • Strong similitude, even in an acute case, when several elements align: modalities, sensations, cause, and mental/emotional state

Example: abdominal pain

Take cramping abdominal pain:

  • With no other information: you might think of Colocynthis or Magnesia phos (low similitude)
  • If the pain is relieved by bending double or by pressure: Colocynthis becomes more likely (medium similitude)
  • If the pain follows an episode of anger: you may give Colocynthis with confidence in a higher potency (strong similitude)

15 CH if symptoms or a psychological cause is present

30 CH if similitude is very strong with the materia medica at local, general, and emotional levels

In practice for acute cases

If you are sure about the remedy, it’s better to start with the potency you can get the fastest rather than waiting 48–72 hours for delivery!

⚠️ Important:
This is not an automatic rule nor a “universal how-to.”
Two people with the “same” symptom may require different choices depending on context.
For self-medication, your pharmacist/health professional’s advice remains the priority.

Understanding dilutions: CH, DH, K… what do they mean?

On a tube, you will usually see: Remedy name + dilution (e.g., Arnica montana 9CH).

CH dilution (Hahnemannian centesimal)
1 CH = 1/100: 1 part mother substance + 99 parts solvent, then succussion (shaking).
2 CH repeats the process starting from the previous dilution, and so on.

DH dilution (Hahnemannian decimal)
1 DH = 1/10: 1 part mother substance + 9 parts solvent, then succussion.

K dilution (Korsakovian)
A historical method using a single flask (Korsakov method), with a specific dilution logic.

Key point: dilution is not a “dose” in the usual sense (mg, ml…). It is a preparation information specific to homeopathy.

Most common forms and how to take them

Pellets (tube)
Oral / sublingual: let them dissolve in the mouth (often under the tongue).
Often advised: away from meals (and away from coffee/mint).

Globules (single-dose)
One dose usually corresponds to taking it all at once (depending on leaflet or prescription).

Drops / oral solutions
Check the leaflet: note that some forms may contain alcohol or other excipients and may not be suitable.

Dosage: what really matters

The number of pellets: not very important

Whether it’s 3, 5, or 7 pellets, half a dose or a full dose of globules—this is not the most important point.

What matters: how often you take it

For symptoms that appeared recently or suddenly (with low potencies)

  • Every 30 minutes to 1 hour for the first 3 hours
  • Then space out to 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days

For symptoms that appeared gradually
For example: tendinitis, exhaustion, stress…

  • Morning and evening for 3 to 5 days

Follow-up: when to space out, when to worry, when to change

If symptoms improve
You can gradually space out doses.

If symptoms do not improve

⚠️ First: if symptoms are concerning, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional urgently.

In homeopathy, if the remedy is well chosen, improvement should follow the same curve as the initial worsening of the illness:

For acute symptoms with sudden onset

  • A flu-like syndrome or gastroenteritis should improve within 24–36 hours with the correct remedy
  • Otherwise, the remedy should be changed

For more gradually appearing issues
You may allow yourself to observe results over 1 week.

For long-standing, chronic issues
Changes should be observed over a longer period, and we strongly recommend being guided by a trained professional for follow-up.

If new symptoms appear
Reassess the case taking these new elements into account.

Important rule
Avoid taking homeopathic remedies—especially higher potencies—over a long period without advice from a trained professional.

One of homeopathy’s interests is the absence of drug interactions: it should only be complementary to standard medical care whenever the latter is indicated.

Dosage: 6 essential safety reflexes

1) Follow the leaflet (or prescription)

Dosage depends on the product: age, indication, frequency, maximum duration, reassessment threshold.
If the leaflet specifies a timeframe (“consult if no improvement after X days”), follow it.

2) Do not delay medical care

Key point: do not replace a diagnosis or standard medical care aligned with current scientific evidence when the situation requires it—especially for chronic, serious, or potentially serious conditions.

Homeopathy is then only complementary and must never be exclusive if it means taking a health risk.

3) Recognize warning signs

Consult quickly (or emergency care if needed) in case of:

  • breathing difficulty, chest pain, faintness
  • persistent high fever, signs of dehydration
  • unusual severe pain, rapid worsening
  • blood in vomit/stool/urine
  • persistent symptoms or anything concerning

4) Watch excipients: lactose and sucrose

Many pellets/globules contain lactose and/or sucrose: use caution with rare intolerances, malabsorption, or depending on your metabolic situation (e.g., in diabetes, always ask for advice).

5) Higher-risk groups: always ask a health professional

Before use: pregnancy/breastfeeding, infants/young children, chronic disease, long-term treatment, specific medical context.

6) Avoid “stacking” products

Even if homeopathy is perceived as “gentle,” avoid piling up multiple products “just in case” without a clear guideline. Tell your health professional what you take—especially if you already have treatment.

Frequently asked questions

  • "Which potency should I choose: 5CH, 9CH, 15CH, 30CH… ?"
    It depends on the context (acute or chronic) and above all on the quality of similitude between your symptoms and the remedy’s description. Outside a prescription, the reference remains your pharmacist’s advice.
  • "How many pellets per dose?"
    The exact number (3, 5, or 7) matters little. What matters is the frequency adapted to your situation.
  • "How should I take them?"
    Let them dissolve under the tongue, and take them away from meals. If needed, you can dissolve about ten pellets in 50 ml of water.
  • "What if it doesn’t work?"
    If there is no improvement within the expected timeframes (24–36h for a well-treated acute case), if symptoms persist or worsen: consult a professional, and consider changing the remedy if you continue with the homeopathic approach.

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Homeopathy is a complementary approach and is not recognized as conventional medical treatment.
Homeoco is a reading and learning tool for educational purposes: it is not a diagnosis, not a prescription, not an automated therapeutic decision-support system, and must not be used to delay medical care when it is needed. For any health question, ask your pharmacist or a healthcare professional for advice.