by Joette Calabrese

You may now be wondering what this photo has to do with homoeopathic dilution scales. Here I ask you — my dear readers — for a little patience. I will explain shortly.

I often receive questions about homoeopathic potency levels and dilutions. It is a topic I have written about many times.

Recently, however, a question came from several of my students at once, who had noticed that other sources were causing a lot of confusion — perhaps even misinformation — regarding the preparation of homoeopathic potencies. In this case it concerned the different dilution methods used in homoeopathic medicine production and, in particular, the C-, CH- and CK-scales. My students therefore wanted clarification.

D- or C-potency?

I have already discussed the differences between D and C potencies in detail in my blog post.

This time I do not want to take up the topic myself and present the differences between a C-, CH- and CK-potency from my own viewpoint; rather, I wanted to get the answer directly from an expert in the field. You could say, straight from the horse’s mouth. (The image above alludes to the English phrase “straight from the horse’s mouth”, an idiom translated into German as “aus erster Hand” or “directly from the source”; translator’s note.)

Our special thanks therefore go to Christophe Merville, who is responsible for the pharmaceutical development of homoeopathic medicines at an American manufacturer. He explains the matter as follows:

What is the difference between the CH and CK scales?

The C or CH scale is the most commonly used dilution scale. At each dilution step 1 part of the previous dilution is mixed with 99 parts solvent (usually 70% v/v alcohol) and then succussed (treated with vigorous shaking strokes for seven seconds). Each new dilution is prepared in a new bottle. This process is repeated six times for a C6 and a total of thirty times for a C30. In Europe the C scale is also called CH — the H stands for Hahnemann because this method was developed by Samuel Hahnemann.

The CK scale was developed by the Russian Simeon Nikolayevich Korsakov. Each dilution is diluted 100-fold, but only one bottle is used throughout the entire process. Also, dilutions are made with pure water instead of 70% v/v alcohol. This procedure allows the production of higher dilution levels because it is more economical and faster. Thus 30CK, 200CK, 1000CK (1M) are commonly used. The scale goes up to 100,000CK.

What can we deduce from this?

• The C and CK potency scales are not produced in the same way and can only be compared in terms of their degree of dilution, i.e. low, medium or high dilution. On the C scale C6 is considered low, C9 medium and C30 a high potency. On the CK scale 30CK is low, 200CK medium and 100,000CK high.
• There are homoeopaths who have extensive experience with specific scales and prefer to prescribe according to the respective method.
• There is no valid method to calculate equivalence between the scales, except for the very first dilutions (C1, C2, 1CK, 2CK), where we can still measure the amount of active substance in the dilution. After several dilution steps no equivalence can be established.

What about the C200?

• The C200 is a Hahnemannian dilution in which 200 bottles are used. Production is very time-consuming. Many C200 potencies available on the market are actually 200CK remedies, which are much easier to produce. We no longer sell C200 dilutions ourselves. For a comparison between C200 and 200CK see above.

Letter — yes or no?

This information was originally intended for my students, but I believe it is of great importance to anyone interested in homoeopathy.

The designations of the different dilution scales can be confusing. When I started my blog 15 years ago, I generally did not include the letter of the respective dilution scale together with the remedy — unless it was a very specific protocol.

This omission prompted many people to ask why.

The reason was simple. At that time it was easier in certain parts of the world to buy either a D-potency or a C-potency. And by that I mean either one or the other, not both at the same time. The choice was therefore limited depending on where my readers lived. Even here in the United States, in the early years of my homoeopathy studies (before the 1980s, if I remember correctly), C-potencies were difficult to find.

Therefore I kept the information vague at the time so as not to upset people who could not find a homoeopathic remedy in the recommended potency.

Homoeopathy is a popular healing method

Today homoeopathy is once again so popular that many homoeopathic remedies can be ordered online and the problem no longer exists in this form. Nevertheless, I often omit the information about the dilution method.

From my point of view — from a practical, everyday kitchen-table standpoint — the dilution scale can, if necessary, be substituted with another. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, of course, the respective potency levels are quite different.

However, if you are following a specific treatment protocol, both the potency level and the dilution method matter. In my courses I teach that we should follow protocols exactly as they are written.

And speaking of protocols: next week we continue our series on remedies that should not be missing from a well-stocked homoeopathic home medicine cabinet. (Spoiler alert... it is Lycopodium.)

Until then: Spread the word — homoeopathy helps!

Warmly,

Yours

Source: https://joettecalabrese.com/blog/c-ch-or-ck-the-answer-revealed/