Potency Selection by Dr. Varsha Sharma

Potency Selection

Dr. Varsha V. Sharma MD (Hom.)

Dr. Varsha V. Sharma MD (Hom.)

Asst. Prof., YMT Hom. Med Coll., Navi Mumbai.

Dept of Psychiatry (PG)

9869047078 / 9967647078

The question of potency selection has always kept the Homeopaths of all times wondering and with different views. The homeopath should be open to use the entire range of potencies, from lowest to the highest, depending upon the demand of the case. The choice of potency would depend upon each individual case. Close states "All the potencies may be needed. No one potency, high or low, will meet the requirement of all cases at all times."

Homoeopaths need not be satisfied only with the selection of the similimum but also with the selection of the proper potency. Kent states, “When a remedy is correct, it will always work, whatever the potency. How deep and how long the remedy will work, depends on the potency.” The potential of the remedy must meet the requisite susceptibility.

The question of potency selection is not a simple one. Totality is made up of various components. The potency selection depends on various components and not on a single factor. Certain guidelines have been laid down though; there are no fixed laws for the selection of the potency.

Certain factors for selection of potency are –

1) Disease Potential – Disease-potential involves various factors:

a) Value of symptoms,

b) Nature & seat of disease,

c) Tissue affinity,

d) Pathology involved,

e) Duration of Pathology and Pace.

2) Sensitivity and Susceptibility - Sensitivity and Susceptibility are denoted as high, moderate and low. High sensitivity shows a high level of reactivity.

3) Miasmatic Interpretation.
4) Similarity: Degree and Level.
5) Suppression.
6) Type of the Patient.

Indications of high & low potency are simplified below in a tabular form for the easy comprehension of a homoeopath.

Indication Of High Potency	Indication Of Low Potency
More characteristic symptoms	Less characteristic symptoms or paucity of symptoms
Higher the similarity	Lower the similarity
High susceptibility	Low susceptibility
High sensitivity	Low vitality
High immunity	Low immunity
Acute diseases	Chronic diseases
Reversible diseases	Irreversible diseases
Functional diseases	Advanced pathological cases
Mental diseases
Old age diseases
Involvement of Cutaneous, mucous tissues or Nervous sys.	Involvement of Cellular tissue or Muscular system.
Organs of Respiratory & Nervous system	Organs of Locomotive & Circulatory system.
Children and young vigorous persons	Extremely weak, old, or very hypersensitive subjects.
Intelligent, sensitive & very sluggish patients	Oversensitive, Idiosyncratic & weak constitution patients.
Neurotic patients	Dull, backward, sluggish & unimpressionable patients
Female sex	Male sex
Melancholic, nervous and choleric temperaments	Lymphatic temperaments.
Poor reaction	Oversensitive to drugs
Engaged in mental occupations	Engaged in physical work
	Incurable cases, where only palliation is aimed.
Functional remedies	Nutritive remedies
Psora & sycosis	Tubercular miasm
Acting on Mental level	Acting on Physical level
Nosodes
Inhabitants of warm climates	In temperate and colder climates.

If one is sure about the similimum but the desired action is not aroused then, try changing the potency to higher or lower before changing the medicine itself.

About the Author-

Dr. Varsha V. Sharma, MD (Hom), teaching in a Homoeopathic Medical College at Navi Mumbai since, last 7yrs. Doing Homoeopathic practice & counseling at Chembur, Bandra & Vashi. Online and Guest Editor of Medical books & medical sites. Author of Homoeopathic book on Materia Medica. Author of several articles in various journals, magazines & sites. Email - drvarshasharma@gmail.com