Q-POTENCIES

The preparation of these 50,000th remedies (quinquagintamillesimal-potencies) is based upon the experiences Hahnemann made later in his life. They are defined in the Organon (6th edition) under § 270. It is essential to use microglobules (1,600 globules per gram) – Hahnemann called them sugar globules the size of poppy seeds – and the method of C3- fresh plant trituration.

Preparation

First of all, a C3-trituration is prepared – each step takes 1 hour. For the preparation of a Q1-potency the
C3-trituration is dissolved in a ratio of 1:500. One drop of this solution is diluted in a ratio of 1:100 and shaken vigorously 100 times (not 10 times as in the case of D- and C-potencies). Then 500 microglobules are impregnated with 1 drop of the solution and air-dried.

By diluting the remedy twice you end up with a ratio of 1:50,000. 

The preparation of a Q2 is similar:
1 globule is dissolved in 1 drop of water,

diluted with an ethanol-water mixture  at a ratio of 1:100 and shaken vigorously 100 times.

Then microglobules are medicated with the solution in a ratio of 1:500 and dried.

For the use of a Q-potency one globule (it is very small, which sometimes leads to problems) is dissolved in a 10ml vial filled with a mixture of water and ethanol. After dissolving the globule, about one third of the liquid is poured off. Before each administration the vial is shaken ten times. Ethanol is used for preservation reasons. Moreover, it passes through the dripping device more easily.

According to a gradual increase in the potentization the next Q-potency is used after about ten administrations. The original solution has already been treated with 100 vigorous strokes.

When taking this remedy it has to be observed that the globules as such are NEVER administered, only the alcoholic solution prepared from the globules. If Q-globules are prescribed, they shall only be used for the preparation of the medicinal solution by the patient himself.

Note
It is often claimed in expert literature that Q and LM-potencies are identical, which is not correct for several reasons: 

1. According to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoea  HV 17, for the preparation of a LM-potency an alcoholic extract, in the form of a mother tincture, is used as the starting material. Q-potencies are made out of fresh-plant triturations.
2. For the preparation of a LM-potency a C3-trituration is made out of a liquid substance. As the substances are simply mixed and dried, this procedure does not follow the principles of Hahnemann and is no real trituration.
3. For LM-potencies globules size/category 1 are used, for Q-potencies smaller microglobules are used, which makes a big difference.

 Recommendation for patients’ use