Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

88 •MAJOR MINERAL REMEDIESKalium carbonicumKALI. CARB.KEY SYMPTOMS sensitivity to the cold • sharp, shooting pains • anxiety that is felt inthe 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 ancientEgyptians to make glass, the compound is still widely used in the manufacture ofglass, soap, and other products. In the body, potassium is present in every cell in adelicate balance with sodium. Any disturbance of this balance causes many problems,including muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmia. Hahnemann proved the remedyand published it in his Chronic Diseases (1821–34).REMEDY PROFILEPeople for whom Kali. carb. is suitable tend tobe irritable, touchy, and possessive, feeling atodds with everyone, hating to be touched, yetwanting company. Conservative and “proper,”they have a strong sense of duty andresponsibility. Emotional upsets are felt as astrong sense of fear or anxiety, hitting themlike a blow to the stomach. These people fearmany things: the future, loss of self-control,death, and even the supernatural.Among the typical physical symptomsassociated with the remedy are greatsensitivity to drafts and the cold. It isprescribed for recurrent fever, coughs, colds,and other respiratory problems, includingasthma. There may be sharp, shooting painsin parts of the body, and swelling above theeyes. Underlying anemia may cause fatigueand weakness.Symptoms typically tend to be worse in theearly hours of the morning, and insomnia isanother feature of the Kali. carb. profile. Thosefor whom the remedy is appropriate tend tobe middle-aged or older, stout or obese, andhave a desire for sweet foods.Coughs & coldsSYMPTOMS Dry, hacking cough withexpectoration in the morning of foul-tasting,yellowy-green mucus. The cough may bewhooping or wheezy, with vomiting and achilly feeling in the chest. Kali. carb. is alsoused for recurrent colds that settle in thethroat, with hoarseness or voice loss due tobecoming very chilly after profuse sweating.Symptoms better For warmth; for sitting up andleaning forward.Symptoms worse For cold air and drafts;between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.AsthmaSYMPTOMS Particularly bad asthma that makesit impossible to lie down comfortably, perhapswith a dry cough that may disrupt sleepbetween 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.Symptoms better For being propped up; forsitting up straight; for bending forward with thehead on the knees.Symptoms worse For cold air and drafts; forlying down; for exertion.Joint painSYMPTOMS 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 oftenrestless. Arthritis in the joints may be severeenough to cause the deformities characteristicof rheumatoid arthritis. Sciatica pains mayprompt 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 theaffected area.Back painSYMPTOMS Pain that begins in the small of theback, often severe enough to make ituncomfortable to stay in bed. The pain is worseon the left side, extending to the genitals, thighs,and lower limbs. It may be particularly severeduring 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 ofsitting; before menstruating.Kidney disordersSYMPTOMS Kidney stones or other diseases ofthe kidney, with shooting pains in the small ofthe back. Pains may be worse on the left side.Wood ash is acommon source ofpotassium carbonateSOURCE DETAILSWOOD ASHPOTASSIUM CARBONATE This white, odorlesscompound of potassium is a powerful alkali,used in industry and in the making of otherpotassium compounds.POTASSIUMCARBONATEORIGINOriginally prepared by percolating wood ashand evaporating the resulting solution iniron pots: hence the name “potash.” Nowmade chemically.BACKGROUNDRarely prescribed internally for medicinalpurposes, since it is highly caustic, buttraditionally used in external treatmentssuch as skin lotions.PREPARATIONPotassium carbonate is triturated by beingground repeatedly with lactose sugar until itis soluble in water. This solution is thendiluted and succussed.COMMON NAMESPotassium carbonate, potash, salt of tartar,pearl ash.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.InsomniaSYMPTOMS Insomnia, with difficulty getting tosleep, or falling asleep but waking between2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Getting back to sleep seemsimpossible. 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.See also Asthma, page 181; Palpitations page 186; Osteoarthritis, page 196; Whooping cough, page 250; Incontinence, page 268