Classical Homeopathy Practitioners use a variety of terms. You do not need to know them all. However, familiarize yourself with these basic Homeopathy Glossary terms, so that you will understand the language we speak during the consultation.
Homeopathy Glossary: Essential Terms for Beginners
Core Principles
Definition of Health: According to George Vithoulkas, health is not simply the absence of disease. True health is a state in which a person experiences freedom and harmony on all levels of life — physical, emotional, and mental.
He describes a healthy person as someone who has:
- A calm and clear mind
- Emotional balance and resilience
- Physical energy and vitality
- The ability to adapt naturally to stress and life changes
- Strong resistance and recovery from illness
In simple words, Professor Vithoulkas believed that real health means living with:
- Freedom from selfishness in the mental sphere, having as a result total unification with Truth.
- Peace in the emotions– Feedom from excessive passion
- Strength and balance in the body– Freedom from Pain
He also taught that the strength of a person’s “vital force” or defense mechanism determines how healthy they truly are. Read Professor Vithoulkas’s original thoughts here.
Vital Force: The innate self-healing energy or life force present in all living beings that homeopathy aims to stimulate through its remedies.
Holistic Treatment: Addressing the whole person—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects—rather than focusing solely on specific symptoms or body parts.
Classical Homeopathy: It is a term introduced by Prof. George Vithoulkas in 1978. It describes a precise and disciplined approach to homeopathic practice, based on the original teachings of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann,the Founder of Homeopathy, in the late 18th century.
These teachings were later refined through the clinical insights of James Tyler Kent and further developed, systematized, and clarified by George Vithoulkas.
Here is a short video by Professor Georoge Vithoulkas on Classical Homeopathy Value.
This is a holistic system of medicine developed based on the principle that “like cures like” and that highly diluted substances can effectively treat symptoms they would cause in larger doses.
In classical homeopathy, practitioners observe following rules:
- the law of the individual remedy
- the law of similimum (omoion)
- the law of infinitesimal dose
- the law of direction of cure
- the law of giving only one remedy at a time and observe the reaction.
Law of Similars (Like Cures Like): The fundamental principle of homeopathy stating that a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can cure similar symptoms in a sick person when given in minute doses.
This is in contrast to the age-old doctrine of Contraria Contrariis Curantur (opposite cures opposite) on which Allopathy medicine is practiced. ( Read- Allopathy vs Homeopathy- The clue to holistic healing)
Similia Similibus Currentur -It is another way of saying “Likes are Cured by Likes”. The homeopathic doctrine states that any substance which is capable of producing morbid symptoms in the healthy will remove similar symptoms occurring as an expression of disease.
This doctrine was first published by the Father of Classical Homeopathy Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1976 Hufeland’s Journal Vol-II, (Parts 3 and 4, pages 391 – 439 and 465 – 561) namely, “An Essay on a New Principle for Ascertaining the Curative Powers of Drugs and Some Examinations of the Previous Principles.”
Individualization: The practice of tailoring healing modality to the specific symptoms, constitution, and characteristics of each patient, rather than treating solely based on a named disease as practiced in the Allopathy, Ayurveda or Naturopathy.
Potentization: The process of serial dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) of a substance used to prepare homeopathic remedies. This process is believed to enhance the healing properties while reducing potential toxicity.
Minimum Dose: The principle of using the smallest possible amount of medicine needed to stimulate healing in the body.
Homeopathy Glossary for Remedy Preparation and Dosage
Mother Tincture: The original alcoholic extract of a substance from which homeopathic remedies are prepared through serial dilution.
Dilution Scale: The measurement system indicating how many times a remedy has been diluted. Common scales include:
- C Scale (Centesimal): 1:100 dilution ratio
- X Scale (Decimal): 1:10 dilution ratio
- LM Scale (50 Millesimal): 1:50,000 dilution ratio
Potency: Refers to the strength of a homeopathic remedy, indicated by a number and a letter (e.g., 6C, 30X, 200C). Higher numbers indicate greater dilution and, paradoxically in homeopathy, stronger effects.
Succussion: The process of vigorously shaking diluted remedies between each dilution step, believed to activate and enhance the medicinal properties.
Trituration: The process of grinding insoluble substances with lactose to prepare them for dilution.
Single Remedy: The homeopathic practice of prescribing just one remedy at a time that most closely matches the totality of the patient’s symptoms. In classical homeopanty, sinle remedy is used instead of combination of multiple remedies.
Homeopathy Glossary on Remedy Forms
Globules/Pellets: Small sugar pellets impregnated with a homeopathic remedy, the most common form of homeopathic medicine.
Liquid Potency: Remedies in liquid form, typically dissolved in alcohol-water solution.
Tablets: Compressed lactose or sucrose tablets containing the homeopathic remedy.
Granules: Slightly larger than globules, these sugar-based carriers contain homeopathic remedies.
Ointments/Gels: Topical preparations containing homeopathic remedies for external use.
Most common Clinical Terms used in Homeopathy Consultations
Acute Condition: A sudden onset illness or condition with defined symptoms that typically resolves within a short period.
Chronic Disease: Long-term or recurring conditions that develop over time and may require ongoing treatment.
Constitution — the physical body and mental temperament that is expressive of the natural traits and predisposition of the individual.
Constitutional Treatment: A comprehensive approach addressing the patient’s overall health pattern rather than just current symptoms, often using remedies that match the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional characteristics.
Miasm: In homeopathic theory, an inherited or acquired predisposition to certain disease patterns. Classical homeopathy recognizes several miasms including psoric, sycotic, and syphilitic.
Proving: The method of testing new substances on healthy individuals to determine what symptoms they produce and therefore what they might treat homeopathically.
Repertorization: The process of analyzing a patient’s symptoms using a repertory (a cross-referenced index of symptoms and corresponding remedies) to identify the most appropriate remedy.
Materia Medica: Reference books containing detailed descriptions of homeopathic remedies and the symptoms they address.
Simillimum: The single remedy that most closely matches the totality of a patient’s symptoms and is therefore considered the ideal treatment.
Aggravation – a noticeable intensification of the disease symptoms previously observed before the cure happens. Often associated with the action of the correct homeopathic remedy. As per classical science of homeopathy, an aggravation is essential before the amelioration of symptoms. See aphorism 157-159 ,160-171 and 253-258 of the organon
Antidote – a substance or a remedy that counteracts the effect of a homeopathic remedy. Strong scents of perfumes, camphor, chemicals and very high temperatures are thought to antidote remedies. Mint is said to be an antidote of Natrum muriaticum. Many feel that coffee antidotes homeopathic remedies
Direction of Cure: Hering’s Law stating that healing progresses from vital to less vital organs, from above downward, from within outward, and in reverse order of symptom appearance. This is the most important reason why Classical Homeopathy has better results than the comventional – mixed remedy approch.
Most common terms Classical Homeopath observes in the clients:
Sensation – the experience of a symptom, what it feels like. One of the parts of a complete symptom. A classical homeopathy often asks you how a particular symptom if felt by you e.g is it a stitching pain, dull pain or a pain that feels like hammer is driven into the body. Knowing sensation of your symptom is often the most important aspect of choosing the right remedy for you.
Modalities: Factors that modify symptoms, making them better or worse (e.g., better from warm applications, worse from cold).
Concomitants: Symptoms that occur alongside the main complaint but may seem unrelated.
Keynotes: The most characteristic symptoms of a remedy that help distinguish it from others.
Totality of Symptoms: The complete picture of a patient’s physical, mental, and emotional symptoms considered collectively to determine the appropriate remedy.
Susceptibility: An individual’s degree of sensitivity to disease influences and remedies.
Levels of Health: According to modern classical homeopathy and the great work of Professor George Vithoulkas, there are 4 groups (12 levels) of health.
The division of health is based on the genetics, diagnosis and past medical history of a person.
The presence and absence of acute diseases vary between Group A to Group D. The theory of aggravation followed by amelioration is also varied between these groups.
Study this in-depth work and research done by my teacher below.
Professor. George Vithoulkas provides examination and explanation of this theory from its development and application over the course of his 60+ years of world-wide conventional and proficient homeopathic practice and experience. To read more about it, order the Levels of Health book here.
Homeopathy Glossary on Remedy Administration Guidelines
Dosage Frequency: How often a remedy should be taken, which varies based on the condition’s acuteness and the potency used.
Antidoting: When the effect of a remedy is neutralized by certain substances or activities such as coffee, mint, camphor, or even strong odors.
Read the article on Antidotes : obstacles to the cure (Coming Soon)
Dry Dose: Taking remedies directly without dissolving them in water.
Wet Dose: Dissolving remedies in water before taking them, often used for sensitive patients or when frequent repetition is needed.
Complementary Remedy: A remedy that works well in sequence with another remedy to enhance healing.
Succussion – the process of forcefully striking a homeopathic remedy against a firm surface.
Wait and Watch: The homeopathic practice of giving a single dose of a remedy and then observing the patient’s response before deciding on further treatment.
Homeopathy Glossary about Practical Aspects of Homeopathy Consultation
Homeopathic Case Taking: The detailed interview process where the homeopath collects comprehensive information about the patient’s symptoms, characteristics, and health history.
First Prescription: The initial remedy given at the beginning of homeopathic treatment, often considered the most important.
Follow-up: A subsequent consultation to assess the response to the previous remedy and determine the next steps in treatment.
Posology: The study of how remedies should be administered, including potency selection, dosage frequency, and administration method.
Centesimal Scale: Dilution scale where each step involves a 1:100 dilution.
Decimal Scale: Dilution scale where each step involves a 1:10 dilution.
Dynamization: Another term for potentization, referring to the process that activates the medicinal properties of a substance through dilution and succussion.
Return of Old Symptoms: The temporary reappearance of past symptoms during the healing process, often considered a positive sign in homeopathic treatment.
This glossary provides an excellent foundation for beginners to familiarize themselves with homeopathic terminology before beginning classical homeopathy treatment.
For Energy Healing related terms, please check our Energy Healing Glossary Page here.