Homeopathic Scales of Dilutions

Dilution is the means by which we reduce the toxicity or crudeness of the original crude drug.

Serial dilution means that each dilution is prepared from the dilution that immediately preceded it.

For the preparation of the potencies of liquid drug substances three scales are in use i.e. (a) Decimal, (b) Centesimal and (c) Millesimal. For the preparation of potencies from solid drug substances decimal and centesimal potencies are in use.


(a) The Decimal Scale-

This scale was introduced by Dr. Constantine Hering. In this scale the first potency should contain 1/10th part of the original drug. The 2nd potency will contain 1/10th part of the first potency; and so on. The potency in this scale is denoted by suffixing the letter ‘X’ to the number indicating the potency, i.e. the first potency is 1x, the 2nd potency is 2x, and so on.

(b) The Centesimal Scale-

Introduced by Dr. Hahnemann (founder of homeopathy) himself. In this scale the 1st potency should contain 1/100th part of the original drug; and the 2nd potency will contain 1/100th part of the 1st potency; and so on. The potency in this scale is denoted by suffixing the letter ‘C’ to the number indicating the potency.

(c) The Fifty Millesimal Scale-

Introduced as per Organon of Medicine, 6th edition, Aphorism 270 (published 78 years after Hahnemann’s death). In this scale the 1st potency should contain 1/50,000th part of the original drug, the 2nd potency will contain 1/50,000th part of the 1st potency and so on. Potency in this scale is denoted by I, II, V, X etc, or 0/1, 0/2, 0/5, 0/10 etc. In this scale potency 0/2 is equivalent to 4C=8X (approx.), 0/4=8C=16X and so on. Recently, some physicians are using this scale.

In this scale the proportion of medicine to alcohol will be 1 to 50,000 (1/500x100). So this scale of potency goes by the name of Fifty Millesimal Potency.