Potentization involves not only dilution of the substance but also succussion, a prescribed form of shaking which adds kinetic energy to the dilutions. Each time a remedy is diluted, the dilution is succussed. Thus, a 10X remedy will have been diluted and succussed 10 times. When the desired potency has been achieved, the remedy can be retained in liquid form or impregnated into sugar pellets of various sizes. The dilution portion of remedy preparation retains a remedy's essence while eliminating the side effects associated with the starting material.
Succussion enhances the energy of a remedy.
Increasing the potency of a remedy enables it to work more deeply and for longer periods than a lower potency of the same remedy. Homeopathic remedies can be single remedies or combination remedies. Single remedies are derived from a single substance. Combination remedies are prepared from more than one starting substance and may contain multiple potencies of each ingredient. Single remedies are used by veterinarians who practice classical homeopathy.