Liquid, Oral Spray, Tablets or Pillules?

Homoeopathic remedies are often available in many different dispensing options, ranging from liquid to solid forms and even powders. These various options called the base, or the carrier, serves as an inert vehicle for dispensing of the potentised remedy. Carriers or bases used in homoeopathic remedies are inactive, do not interfere with the remedy and act to preserve the potency if stored correctly. Regardless of whether you choose for example an Arnica 30c liquid or an Arnica 30c tablet, the remedy and its indications remain the same. It is purely a matter of choice, of how you prefer to take your remedy.

All Naturo Pharm classical remedies are available in either liquid, oral spray, tablet or pillule form and our complex ranges usually in oral spray or tablet. For pets and babies, we also have the glycerine oral spray option. All these options might seem confusing, so how do you decide which to use and when?

Choosing the right option is important when considering ease of use or specific dietary restrictions or sensitivities and compliance. Let’s look at each available option and why or when to use it.

LIQUIDS

Our liquid remedies are supplied in a 20ml amber glass dripulator bottle. The base consists of purified water and 11% alcohol. With 4 drops under the tongue as the average dose size, it provides at least 75 doses per bottle.

Why to choose?

•  It is our most affordable remedy option.

• It can easily be added to a bit of water for babies and young children as well as pets.

• Contains no gluten, sugar or lactose.

Consider

• The quantity of alcohol per dose is so small as to be of no consequence, there is more alcohol in half a slice of bread, a banana or a small glass of apple juice.

• The dripulator needs to be activated by shaking it upside down for a few drops to release before it flows, because little air bubbles can get trapped in the mechanism, impeding the flow making it tricky to dispense exactly 4 drops. The upside here is that 4 drops is a recommended average dose and if you only get 2 drops or accidentally 6 drops, it is completely fine. Remember, it is not the size of the dose that matters as much as the frequency of repetition.

ORAL SPRAYS

Our oral spray remedies are supplied in a 25ml amber glass spray bottle. As with the liquids, the base consists of purified water and 11% alcohol and with 2 sprays under the tongue as the average dose size, it provides at least 75 doses per bottle.

Why to choose?

• It is our quickest and easiest to use dispensing option.

• It has the advantage of faster remedy absorption. The widely accepted Physician’s Desk Reference Journal states that oral sprays provide the fastest possible speed of action of all oral medicinal dose forms.

• The specialised spray mechanism provides a consistent and accurate dose.

• Contains no gluten, sugar or lactose.

Consider

• The quantity of alcohol per dose is so small as to be of no consequence, there is more alcohol in half a slice of bread, a banana or a small glass of apple juice.

• The pump needs to be primed by depressing the mechanism a couple of times before the first dose can be used.

• A little bit remains in the bottle at the end, but we make sure we provide over the minimum of 25ml to compensate for this.

TABLETS

Our tablet remedies are supplied in a 20ml amber glass bottle. The tablets consist of 80% Lactose, 18.9% Sucrose and 1.1% Magnesium Stearate as flowing agent. They are 6mm soft tablets that dissolve under the tongue. Each bottle holds a minimum of 150 tablets, so provides at least 75 doses per bottle.

Why to choose?

• It provides a familiar dosage form to those new to homoeopathy.

• It provides a consistent and accurate dose.

• Contains no gluten or alcohol.

• Good option for those trying to avoid any alcohol for religious or dependency reasons.

Consider

• Tablets should not be handled, so needs to be dispensed into the cap lid and then dropped under the tongue.

• Not suitable for vegans.

• Not advisable if lactose intolerant.

• Although the sucrose content is very low, diabetics might prefer using the liquid or spray option.

PILLULES

Our pillule remedies are supplied in a 20ml amber glass bottle. The pillules consist of 100% Sucrose, are 3mm in diameter and dissolve under the tongue. Each bottle holds a minimum of 10g and at 3 pillules per dose provides at least 80 doses per bottle.

Why to choose?

• It is certified organic.

• Pleasant tasting for babies and young children.

• Contains no gluten or lactose.

• Good option for those trying to avoid any alcohol for religious or dependency reasons.

Consider

• Pillules should not be handled, so needs to be dispensed into the cap lid and then dropped under the tongue.

• Can be tricky to dispense due to the rolling nature of the pillules.

• Not suitable for diabetics.