What Does 30c Mean? Homeopathic Potency Explained
Pick up a homeopathic remedy and you will see a number and a letter after the name — 6c, 30c, 200c. To newcomers it looks like a code. This post explains, plainly, what those markings mean and why homeopaths talk about "potency."
This is educational content. It explains how remedies are prepared and labelled; it is not dosing advice or medical advice.
What the numbers and letters mean
Homeopathic remedies are made by repeatedly diluting a source substance and succussing it — shaking it vigorously — at each step. The number and letter record how many times this has been done and by what ratio.
c means each step is a 1-in-100 dilution (a "centesimal" scale). So 30c means the process was carried out thirty times.
x means a 1-in-10 dilution (a "decimal" scale).
Higher numbers (such as 200c) mean the process has been repeated many more times.
How homeopathic potency is made
The key thing to understand about homeopathic potency is that it is not simply "strength" in the ordinary sense. In conventional terms, more dilution means less of the original substance — and at higher potencies, little or none of the starting material is likely to remain. This is exactly the point mainstream science disputes, and any honest explanation should say so plainly.
Within homeopathic philosophy, however, the preparation process itself — the stepwise dilution and succussion — is considered central, and practitioners speak of higher potencies as acting more deeply. Whether or how that could work remains contested between homeopaths and the scientific mainstream.
Potency, in homeopathy, refers to how a remedy has been prepared — not to a dose measured in milligrams.
Why potency matters to a homeopath
Choosing a potency is part of a homeopath's skill, alongside choosing the remedy itself. It is judged for the individual and the situation, which is precisely why self-selecting a potency from a shelf has its limits. The remedy and its potency are matched to the whole person.
The short version
So when you see "30c," it simply records how a remedy was prepared: diluted and succussed, on the centesimal scale, thirty times. Understanding the label is easy; using it well is where a homeopath's training comes in.
If you would like to understand how this applies to your own situation, that is what a consultation is for.
Individual Support
Understanding potency is one thing; choosing the right remedy for a person is another. That is exactly what an individual consultation is for.
In a first consultation, I would explore:
When things began and whether there was a clear trigger
Exactly how you experience them, in your own words
What makes them better or worse — including stress, routine, and daily life
Your wider health picture — sleep, energy, appetite, and how long things have been going on
Anything you are already doing or taking, and any diagnoses you have
How it all fits together as one whole-person pattern
A consultation allows the full pattern to be explored properly, rather than focusing on one piece in isolation. You are welcome to book a free intro call to ask a question or to see whether working together feels right — in person in Malmö or online.
This article is educational and explains how homeopathic remedies are prepared and labelled, including the mainstream scientific position on dilution. It is not medical advice or dosing guidance, and makes no claim to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. For health concerns, please consult a suitably qualified healthcare professional.
Written by Sharon McAllister — UK-qualified homeopath, former Registered Nurse of 35 years, and former Vice Principal of a homeopathy college.
