Using remedies
How to take your remedy.
How much, how often, and when to pause.
The directions on your label, or from your consultation, always come first.
Step 1
How to take your drops.
Clean mouth
About 10 minutes away from food, drink and toothpaste.
Bang the bottle
Before every dose, hold the bottle and bang it hard against the palm of your other hand 3 times.
Three drops
Under the tongue.
Hands off
Keep the dropper from touching your mouth.
On the go? Add a few drops to a water bottle and give it a shake. Each sip is now a dose, so sip to match the intensity: more often when symptoms are strong, less often as you improve, and stop when you feel well. Give the bottle a quick shake before each sip, and make a fresh one each day. Easy for school bags, nappy bags and the car.
Step 2
How often?
For short-term (acute) symptoms, match the pace and intensity of what's happening. The stronger the symptoms, the more often you dose. As you start to feel better, pause and wait, and only dose again if the symptoms come back.
Ongoing (chronic) concerns? Dose according to your prescription plan from your consultation, rather than the guide below.
Using a water bottle? Each sip counts as one dose, so use the guide below to decide how often to sip.
Dose more often
Strong symptoms, or ones that came on fast: doses closer together, such as every 15 to 30 minutes for the first few.
Dose less often
Gentler symptoms, or ones that crept on slowly: a few doses spread across the day.
Pause and wait
No need to repeat while things are getting better. Wait and watch.
Redose
Take another dose, matched to how strong they are. Feeling well? Stop. No need to finish the bottle.
No change after a few doses? Stop and look at the picture again, or email me for an acute consult.
Wait and watch
Little ones
Easy for small people.
- A few drops in a little water, on a spoon, in a small cup or their drink bottle. In a drink bottle, each sip is a dose.
- Check the label for age-specific directions.
- For babies, please ask me first.
- Vibe remedies are in a base of brandy and distilled water. Prefer to avoid alcohol? Just ask.
Storage
Looking after your bottles.
Cool and dark
A drawer or cupboard is perfect. Keep them out of direct sunlight and heat, and never leave them in a hot car.
Away from strong smells
Eucalyptus, camphor, menthol, essential oils, perfume and strong cleaning products.
Lids on tight, bottles upright
Keep each remedy in its own labelled bottle, and check the date on the label.
A clean dropper
Try not to let the dropper touch your mouth, hands or anything else, so the remedy stays clean.
Away from electronics
Many homeopaths suggest keeping remedies a little away from phones, microwaves and other appliances.
When you travel
Pack them in your carry-on bag, and you can ask for a hand check instead of the airport X-ray.
Keep all remedies out of reach and sight of children.
Dosing at a glance
- 1Clean mouthAbout 10 minutes away from food and drink.
- 2Bang, then three dropsBang the bottle on your palm 3 times, then drops under the tongue.
- 3Acute: match the intensityStronger symptoms, more often. Ongoing: follow your plan.
- 4Pause, then redoseWait as you improve. Redose if it comes back.
Screenshot this card and keep it in your phone.
Quick questions.
I missed a dose. Should I double up?
No need. Just take the next dose as usual.
Can I take my drops with coffee or mint?
It's best to take remedies about 10 minutes away from food and drink. Traditionally, some people also avoid strong flavours like mint and coffee around dosing.
Can the family share one bottle?
Yes, as long as nothing touches anyone's mouth. Use drops in water or a dripolator lid.
Can I put my drops in a water bottle?
Yes, it is a great way to take your remedy on the go. Add a few drops to a water bottle and shake it. Each sip is now a dose, so match your sipping to the intensity: sip more often when symptoms are strong, less often as you improve, and stop when you feel well. Shake the bottle before each sip, and make a fresh one each day.
How long do my remedies last?
Stored well (cool, dark, lid on tight and away from strong smells), they are good to use until the date on the label. If a lid has been left off or the bottle has been somewhere hot, ask me.
Can I keep my remedies in the fridge?
There's no need: a cool cupboard or drawer is perfect. If you do use the fridge, keep them in a closed container away from strong-smelling foods.
Keep reading
More guides.
The basics
Choosing a remedy
Four simple steps to finding the remedy that fits.
Read the guide →Tool
Remedy finder
Search everyday moments from A to Z.
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