The single remedy principle has long been considered foundational to homeopathy: one medicine selected according to the individual case, followed carefully so its effects can be understood.
But increasingly, multiple-remedy prescribing is being presented as another valid way to practice homeopathy. One argument used to support that position is historical: Hahnemann himself experimented with giving more than one remedy.
That part is true.
But is it the whole story?
In this episode of Strange Rare Peculiar, Denise and Alastair take a closer look at what actually happened when Hahnemann explored the use of two remedies in the 1830s. They follow the correspondence between Hahnemann and Boenninghausen, Aegidi’s reported 233 cases, the changes considered for the fifth edition of the Organon, and what Hahnemann wrote after conducting his own experiments.
The conversation raises a question that reaches well beyond an interesting piece of homeopathic history: Are principles something we continue to test and refine within—or can they be removed altogether while the practice retains the same name?
Denise and Alastair also look at the practical implications of prescribing multiple homeopathic medicines at the same time. When several remedies and potencies are used together, how do we know which medicine acted? How do we interpret new symptoms? And how does a practitioner assess what should happen next?
The debate over the single remedy in homeopathy is not simply about tradition versus innovation. It requires looking carefully at the evidence, understanding the full historical record, and being clear about what defines the system in the first place.
Read the sources for yourself:
- Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, 5th and 6th editions — especially Aphorisms 273–274
- Richard Haehl, Samuel Hahnemann: His Life and Work — Hahnemann’s correspondence with Boenninghausen
- David Little, writings on Hahnemann’s later prescribing and the double-remedy controversy
- James Tyler Kent, Lectures on Homoeopathic Philosophy
Related episode: Episode 100, Homeopathy Mythbusters: Did Hahnemann Use More Than One Remedy at a Time?
Listen to Episode 131 of Strange, Rare & Peculiar for the full conversation:
Considering professional homeopathy training?
Learning to practice homeopathy requires more than memorizing remedies or following protocols. AHE students learn to evaluate primary sources, take complete cases, recognize clear remedy indications, and make thoughtful clinical decisions grounded in homeopathic principles.
This podcast provides educational content for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider for health concerns.
Strange Rare Peculiar is a weekly podcast with Denise Straiges and Alastair Gray of the Academy of Homeopathy Education discussing everything you REALLY need to know about homeopathy. We’ll look at philosophy, practice, research,and education–all with a little bit of history. If you want to know why we still can’t get enough homeopathy after a combined 50+ years of study and practice, we invite you to join the conversation!
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