# How do you dilute homeopathic medicine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 12, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087 "2011-09-12T19:16:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/21 "2011-09-13T20:12:14Z")
> [@Roadfood](#): > > Yes, but you’re still not addressing the OP. Suppose you have a homeopathic remedy, and it has become this “too powerful” of which you speak, and yet a child or elderly person needs its healing power. Right now. And the closest homeopathist is two hours away. _Within the belief system of homeopathy_, how could you weaken the remedy you have so that it would be safe for that child or elderly person to take? Do homeopathy-believers have an answer to that? > > **(Yes, I know that this is just a fairy tale thought experiment, but the OP got me to wondering if the homeopathy nuts actually have an answer.)** (bolding done by me). The latest _Skeptic’s Guide To The Universe_ podcast addressed this issue. Homeopathy nutz have come up with **Homeopathic Water**. This involves “making new water” using elemental hydrogen and oxygen, thus conforming to their twisted beliefs. It is the September 10, 2011 podcast: [http://www.theskepticsguide.org/](http://www.theskepticsguide.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/22 "2011-09-13T21:08:12Z")
But those hydrogen and oxygen molecules have been touching other compounds. When you put them together, the resulting water molecule should have three times the narrative contact of the individual atoms. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/23 "2011-09-13T21:25:10Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] I.e., if a homeopathic remedy has been diluted to the point where it is now considered (by homeopathy believers) “too powerful” for its intended use, how would one “un-dilute” the remedy to make it “weaker” or “less powerful”, rather than starting all over again to make a less dilute tincture? [/QUOTE] Obviously you’d add more of the active ingredient! 😉 If diluting it with water and vigorously shaking it makes it more powerful, then adding more active ingredient while carefully NOT shacking it (perhaps in some sort of insulated room where no shaking is possible…perhaps in some sort of room that moves counter to the earths motions and in fact compensates for all other gravity effects by staying completely still relative to not only the solar system but the galaxy and possibly the entire universe!) should do the trick, logically speaking. Or, if less extreme measures would work, simply remember that your new concoction should be stirred, not shaken… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/24 "2011-09-13T21:37:42Z")
Okay, people, in the first place most of you have chosen to ignore the question in the OP, and instead just attack homoeopathy. I’m all for attacking homoeopathy, but maybe you should start your own thread to do it. In the second place, straw-men are not a good way of fighting ignorance. And many of you are just using straw-men. If you want to oppose homoeopathy, at least take the trouble to actually understand the claims on a basic level. Advocates claim that a homoeopathic dilution is a complex process that must be follo0wed exactly to work, and can take weeks or months. Just simply adding water isn’t a proper homoeopathic dilution. All you people who say that adding water to a homoeopathic medicine makes it stronger are simply wrong. You should understand that you just shoot yourselves in the foot when you do this. As for the OP’s question, within the belief system of homoeopathy you can dilute their medicine the same way you would dilute legitimate medicine. A dose is two pills to an adult, one pill for children, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/25 "2011-09-14T02:14:26Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Obligatory [video.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0&feature=youtube_gdata_player) Great cite.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/26 "2011-09-14T03:19:45Z")
> [@](#): > > All you people who say that adding water to a homoeopathic medicine makes it stronger are simply wrong. Including the homeopaths. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/27 "2011-09-14T12:06:18Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Advocates claim that a homoeopathic dilution is a complex process that must be follo0wed exactly to work, and can take weeks or months. Just simply adding water isn’t a proper homoeopathic dilution. All you people who say that adding water to a homoeopathic medicine makes it stronger are simply wrong. You should understand that you just shoot yourselves in the foot when you do this. Really? Admittedly, all I have is Wikipedia and the label of homeopathic medicines to go by to figure out dilutions homeopaths report. And I infer, from what I’ve read in free heath food magazines, that homeopath definitely prescribe a lower dilution, that is a weaker homeopathic medicine, or chemically a stronger concentration, for children. > [@](#): > > As for the OP’s question, within the belief system of homoeopathy you can dilute their medicine the same way you would dilute legitimate medicine. A dose is two pills to an adult, one pill for children, and so on. Really, that is, again, the exact opposite of what I’ve read of homeopathic remedies in Parent’s Health or such magazines in the Doctor’s office. I waited for some homeopath to comment before I put in my WAG on basic dilution procedures used in science, which does actually answer the OP, believe it or not. Do you have a quick citation for the dilution procedure of homeopathy, especially the backwards fewer pills for children? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/28 "2011-09-14T13:05:41Z")
If your homeopathic medicine is “too strong”, I think that beyond giving a lesser dose you’re stuck. Seems like you’d just be opening a can of worms attempting to undo the magick that went into its making. For instance, since succussion (shaking with intent) is a key step in formulating the homeopathic drug, how do you unsuccuss it to dilute the “memory” of what was once in it? Do you keep it or the patient really really still? And for how long? No, you’ve got to dump the offending homeopathic preparation and start over. [QUOTE=Peter Morris] Advocates claim that a **homoeopathic** dilution is a complex process that must be **follo0wed** exactly to work [/QUOTE] Maybe _that’s_ the answer - remove the excess letter o’s and the homeopathic preparation gets weaker. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/29 "2011-09-14T13:34:06Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > If your homeopathic medicine is “too strong”, I think that beyond giving a lesser dose you’re stuck. Seems like you’d just be opening a can of worms attempting to undo the magick that went into its making. For instance, since succussion (shaking with intent) is a key step in formulating the homeopathic drug, how do you unsuccuss it to dilute the “memory” of what was once in it? Do you keep it or the patient really really still? And for how long? No, you’ve got to dump the offending homeopathic preparation and start over.Maybe _that’s_ the answer Since the procedure, or some may say the careful care of making the remedy is part of the remedy itself. You usually can’t go willy nilly changing it. Though if you do you have a great chance of simply deactivating it and safely consuming the water. This could come in handy if you are stranded in a desert with nothing but homeopathic remedies. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/30 "2011-09-14T13:58:36Z")
While we are arguing how to best dilute (or concentrate) a homeopathic tincture, let’s also discuss the proper ratio of pegasus wings to cyclops eyes when creating a philosopher’s stone! ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/31 "2011-09-14T13:59:57Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > For instance, since succussion (shaking with intent) is a key step in formulating the homeopathic drug, how do you unsuccuss it to dilute the “memory” What the … Wait a minute. [Homeopathy - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy#Preparation)_Reads. Reads. Reads._ :smack: Oh, so _ **that’s** _ what I’m missing in my statement of simple dilution. My own psychic state regarding my intentions, and elastic body, and ten strikes. OK, I’ll play along. But still … an apothecary’s mortar and pestle is pictured. It’s very likely other typical lab equipment are used for the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/32 "2011-09-14T14:20:23Z")
What’s the homeopathic cure for drowning? ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/33 "2011-09-14T14:22:27Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > What’s the homeopathic cure for drowning? 1,000,000 parts nitrogen, 1 part oxygen. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087/34 "2011-09-14T23:39:53Z")
Back to the OP (I think). When in doubt, don’t risk using water - dilute with vodka. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-dilute-homeopathic-medicine/596087.md?page=1)