What is relationship of remedy?

The relationship of remedies in homoeopathy is a concept that describes how different remedies are related to each other in terms of their source, symptoms, effects, and compatibility. Some of the main categories of remedy relationships are:

1. Complementary: A complementary remedy completes the cure of the previous remedy when it has done all the good it can do. For example, Aconite and Coffea are complementary remedies.
2. Follows well: This category lists remedies that follow each other smoothly and produce good results. For example, Lycopodium follows well Calcarea.
3. Followed well by: This category lists remedies that are followed well by another remedy and produce good results. For example, Lycopodium is followed well by Graphites.
4. Compare: This category lists remedies that have similar source or symptoms to the remedy being considered and should be compared before choosing the final remedy. For example, Arnica should be compared with Bellis perennis and Rhus toxicodendron.
5. Chronic: This category lists chronic remedies that have a relationship with acute remedies. For example, Calcarea is the chronic of Belladonna.
6. Inimical: This category lists remedies that disagree or antagonize each other and should be avoided. For example, Causticum is inimical to Phosphorus.
7. Intercurrent: This category lists remedies that are used to remove obstacles or speed up the cure during a chronic treatment. For example, Sulphur is an intercurrent remedy for many chronic cases.
8. Antidote: This category lists remedies that can counteract the effects of another remedy or a poison. For example, Camphora is an antidote to Opium.
9. Duration of action: This category lists the approximate time period for which a remedy acts in the body. For example, Aconite has a duration of action of 1 to 7 days.

These categories are not fixed or absolute, but rather based on the observations and experiences of different homeopaths over time. They can vary depending on the source, potency, dose, and individuality of the patient and the remedy³. Therefore, they should be used as guidelines and not as rules.