Getting Pregnant Naturally_ Healthy Choi - Winifred Conkling [24]
Mother Tincture
The mother tincture is an alcohol-based extract of a specific substance; tinctures are usually used topically rather than internally.
X Potencies
The x represent the Roman numeral 10. In homeopathic remedies with x potencies, the mother tincture has been diluted to one part in ten (one drop of tincture to every nine drops of alcohol). The number before the x tells how many times the mother tincture has been diluted. For example, a 12x potency represents 12 dilutions of one in ten. According to homeopathic theory, the more the substance is diluted, the more potent it becomes, so a remedy with a 30x potency is considered stronger or more potent than one with a 12x potency.
C Potencies
The c represents the Roman number 100. Homeopathic remedies with a c potency have been diluted to one part in 100 (one drop of tincture to every ninety-nine drops of alcohol), making them much stronger than ? potencies. Again, the number before the c represents the number of dilutions. A 3c potency represents a substance that has been diluted to one part in one hundred three times; by the time 3c is reached, the dilution is one part per million.
Homeopathic remedies come in a number of forms, but the most common are lactose (milk sugar) pilules and liquids. When you are taking homeopathic pilules, one or two of the tiny, poppyseed-sized globules are placed on the tongue to dissolve. When you are taking a liquid homeopathic remedy, a single drop of the substance is placed under the tongue.
TIPS FOR USAGE
When taking homeopathic remedies, avoid coffee, alcohol, tobacco, minty flavorings, highly perfumed cosmetics and toiletries, and strong-smelling household cleaners. These strong odors and flavors can overpower the subtle effects of the treatment.
Take homeopathic remedies between meals, at least a half-hour after eating. They should not be taken when your mouth tastes of toothpaste, tobacco, spicy foods, or other flavors.
Store homeopathic remedies in a cool, dark, dry place free of strong-smelling substances.
— Q&A —
Is it okay to use homeopathic remedies in conjunction with herbal remedies?
Yes. However, you should wait at least a half-hour after taking an herbal remedy before using a homeopathic treatment.
Is it harmful to use the wrong homeopathic remedy?
Using the wrong remedy will cause no harm, but it will do nothing to enhance your fertility. Because the amount of active ingredient in a homeopathic remedy is so small, side effects from these treatments are virtually nonexistent.
When should I take a homeopathic remedy?
Most of the homeopathic remedies discussed in this chapter can be taken for one week (those used for uterine problems can be taken for three weeks). A woman should take the remedy during the start of her menstrual cycle (with the first day of bleeding). A man should take a remedy several days prior to the target date of conception. If you use a commercially prepared product with different directions, follow the information provided on the label.
Where can I find homeopathic remedies?
Homeopathic remedies are available at many health food stores, as well as specialized pharmacies (see pages 186-189 for a listing of manufacturers).
Is there any evidence that homeopathy really works?
Researchers have not studied the efficacy of homeopathy in the treatment of infertility. However, a number of studies published in respected medical journals have shown that homeopathic remedies work in the treatment of other medical problems. Consider some of the evidence:
A British medical journal published an analysis of 105 clinical studies involving the efficacy of homeopathy. The homeopathic treatment was found to be more effective than a placebo in eighty-one of the studies. Critics of homeopathy charged that many of the studies were poorly designed, but a review