Homeopathy Self prescribing Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Top 10 FAQs When Self-Prescribing Homeopathy

Homeopathy is so good in those emergency moments when you need immediate relief, whether it is a fever, tummy bug, anticipatory anxiety, injury or something else, when you get the right remedy, it really can be miraculous. However, there are a few questions everyone has when beginning to self prescribe with homeopathy and here are my top 10 to help you get it right in those emergency situations.

1. When is it appropriate to self-prescribe?

Self-prescribing is generally suitable for simple, short-term issues like colds, flu, minor digestive upsets, fevers, or minor injuries. Chronic, persistent, or complex conditions are best managed with a homeopath. Here is some more information on the difference between acute and chronic conditions.

2. How do I choose the right remedy?

Select a remedy that closely matches your overall symptoms, including physical, emotional, and triggering factors. Use reputable resources, reference guides, or reliable blogs to help identify the best match. Download my top 3 tips to finding the right remedy here.

3. What potency should I use for self-prescribing?

Lower potencies (30C or 200c) are usually advised for self-prescribing, especially for acute conditions. Higher potencies (1M or higher) are best for chronic conditions and under the guidance of a homeopath.

4. How often should I take the remedy?

Your aim is to match your symptoms with the remedy, potency and dosage. So if your symptoms are very intense, for example, you have a high fever, you can take the remedy more often and you can even use repetitive dosage where you take 3x pills 10 minutes apart. To learn more about this technique, watch this video that will explain in more detail. As a rule of thumb, do not take more than 6 pills in one day.

Alternatively, if your symptoms are less intense, such as you have a mild cough, you can take 1- 2 pills per day and watch and wait. Often, a single dose or a few doses spaced over hours or days is enough.

As your symptoms improve, reduce the dosage. I liken it to the accelerator pedal on a car. To take off, you need lots of revs but once your car is moving along nicely, you don't need so much. So once you see the healing process starting to take hold, ease off the remedy dosage.

Remember, you are looking to match the remedy dosage with your symptoms.

5. How long should I wait to see if the remedy is working?

The answer to this question really does depend on your symptoms. If you are taking Arnica for a broken leg, you wouldn't expect it to heal in 30 minutes. However, if you are taking Belladonna to bring down a fever, you would expect to see some immediate improvement. Most acute remedies can act within minutes or hours. If there is no change within an appropriate period, reassess the remedy choice rather than immediately repeating the same remedy.

6. Can I take multiple remedies at once?

As a general guideline, it is best to stick to a single remedy at a time becasue using several remedies simultaneously makes it hard to observe which one is acting. That said, in those emergency situations, for example, a bee sting with anaphalactic shock with breathing difficulties, you really want to give all the remedies you can think of so you see immediate effect. Also, there are some remedies that work really well together, such as Ruta and Rhus Tox for joint issues. it really does depend on the situation and the remedy.

7. What if my symptoms temporarily worsen?

A true aggravation is a short-lived intensification of existing symptoms that soon improves. New or unrelated symptoms are usually not an aggravation and may indicate a mismatch or external factors. For example, in case of a fever, after a dose of Belladonna the temperature may rise slightly for a short time before leaving the body. This happens because homeopathy stimulates the body’s natural healing response rather than suppressing symptoms, allowing the illness to run its course and the body to restore balance fully.

8. Can I take remedies with other medications or supplements?

Yes. Homeopathic remedies will not interfere with conventional medications or supplements. However, keep a record and monitor changes carefully. If you are taking medications for symptoms which then improve after taking homeopathy, you may then be taking medication unnecessarily which could be dangerous, for example, in the case of statins for high blood pressure. It is for this reason we do ask you to be vigilant and note any changes with your GP.

9. What if my symptoms return after improvement?

In acute self-prescribing, symptoms may briefly return if the trigger returns (e.g., exposure to cold, stress, or diet). This usually doesn’t mean the remedy failed, simply observe, and a repeat dose may help if needed. If your symptoms do not hold when you stop the remedy, you may need a higher potency or a different remedy.

10. How can I get the best results when self-prescribing?

Observe and note your symptoms, triggers, and any changes carefully. Be specific about your symptoms and avoid changing remedies too quickly. Patience, careful observation, and attention to small details allow remedies to work more effectively.

If you would like help prescribing for an acute situation, you can book an emergency acute consultation with me here or email me at joanna@likecureslike.co.uk and I will be happy to help.