Dilution
Homeopathic dilutions - Wikipedia
The founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann found that undiluted doses caused reactions, sometimes dangerous ones, so specified that preparations be given at the lowest possible dose.[4]
To counter the reduced potency at high dilutions he formed the view that vigorous shaking by striking on an elastic surface – a process termed succussion – was necessary.[4]
It has been said that Hahnemann came to this conclusion after deciding preparations subjected to agitation in transit, such as in saddle bags or in a carriage, were more "potent".[5]: 16 Hahnemann had a saddle-maker construct a special wooden striking board covered in leather on one side and stuffed with horsehair.[6]: 31
The process of dilution and succussion is termed "dynamization" or "potentization" by homeopaths.[7][8]
In industrial manufacture this may be done by machine. There are differences of opinion on the number and force of strikes, and some practitioners dispute the need for succussion at all.
There are no laboratory assays and the importance and techniques for succussion cannot be determined with any certainty from the literature.[5]: 67–69