Kali. Carb.

Kalium carbonicum

Origin
Originally prepared by percolating wood ash and evaporating the resulting solution in iron pots: hence the name "potash." Now made chemically.

Background
Rarely prescribed internally for medicinal purposes, since it is highly caustic, but traditionally used in external treatments such as skin lotions.

Preparation
Potassium carbonate is triturated by being ground repeatedly with lactose sugar until it is soluble in water. This solution is then diluted and succussed.

Common Names
Potassium carbonate, potash, salt of tartar, pearl ash.

POTASSIUM CARBONATE This white, odorless compound of potassium is a powerful alkali, used in industry and in the making of other potassium compounds.

Key Symptoms

sensitivity to the cold; sharp, shooting pains; anxiety that is felt in the stomach; strong sense of duty; person feels worse between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Potassium carbonate is a compound of the alkali metal potassium. Used by the ancient Egyptians to make glass, the compound is still widely used in the manufacture of glass, soap, and other products. In the body, potassium is present in every cell in a delicate balance with sodium. Any disturbance of this balance causes many problems, including muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmia. Hahnemann proved the remedy and published it in his Chronic Diseases (1821–34).

Remedy Profile

People for whom Kali. carb. is suitable tend to be irritable, touchy, and possessive, feeling at odds with everyone, hating to be touched, yet wanting company. Conservative and "proper," they have a strong sense of duty and responsibility. Emotional upsets are felt as a strong sense of fear or anxiety, hitting them like a blow to the stomach. These people fear many things: the future, loss of self-control, death, and even the supernatural.

Among the typical physical symptoms associated with the remedy are great sensitivity to drafts and the cold. It is prescribed for recurrent fever, coughs, colds, and other respiratory problems, including asthma. There may be sharp, shooting pains in parts of the body, and swelling above the eyes. Underlying anemia may cause fatigue and weakness.

Symptoms typically tend to be worse in the early hours of the morning, and insomnia is another feature of the Kali. carb. profile. Those for whom the remedy is appropriate tend to be middle-aged or older, stout or obese, and have a desire for sweet foods.

Coughs & colds

Symptoms: Dry, hacking cough with expectoration in the morning of foul-tasting, yellowy-green mucus. The cough may be whooping or wheezy, with vomiting and a chilly feeling in the chest. Kali. carb. is also used for recurrent colds that settle in the throat, with hoarseness or voice loss due to becoming very chilly after profuse sweating.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for sitting up and leaning forward.

Symptoms worse: For cold air and drafts; between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Asthma

Symptoms: Particularly bad asthma that makes it impossible to lie down comfortably, perhaps with a dry cough that may disrupt sleep between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Symptoms better: For being propped up; for sitting up straight; for bending forward with the head on the knees.

Symptoms worse: For cold air and drafts; for lying down; for exertion.

Joint pain

Symptoms: Sharp pain in the shoulders, arms, hips, and legs that is worse on the left side. The arms may feel weak and the legs are often restless. Arthritis in the joints may be severe enough to cause the deformities characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. Sciatica pains may prompt a need to sit up or turn over in bed.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for movement.

Symptoms worse: For cold air and drafts; between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.; for lying on the affected area.

Back pain

Symptoms: Pain that begins in the small of the back, often severe enough to make it uncomfortable to stay in bed. The pain is worse on the left side, extending to the genitals, thighs, and lower limbs. It may be particularly severe during pregnancy and labor and after injury, childbirth, or pregnancy termination.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for open air.

Symptoms worse: For cold air; for drafts; between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.; for long periods of sitting; before menstruating.

Kidney disorders

Symptoms: Kidney stones or other diseases of the kidney, with shooting pains in the small of the back. Pains may be worse on the left side. The eyelids may be puffy.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for movement.

Symptoms worse: For cold air and drafts; between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Insomnia

Symptoms: Insomnia, with difficulty getting to sleep, or falling asleep but waking between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Getting back to sleep seems impossible. There may be talking during sleep.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for open air.

Symptoms worse: For cold air and drafts; for lying on the left side of the body; before menstruating.

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