Kali Phosphoricum – Potassium Phosphate

The attenuations are prepared from Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, KH₂ PO₄, MW: 136.1.

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate is also used as one of Schüssler’s main bio- chemic tissue-salts. Its composition – the elements Potassium and Phosphorus – makes it clear that Kali Phosphoricum must be extremely effective in states of ex- haustion, since potassium salts, and also phosphates, are remedies for weakness in particular. The biochemical fact that potassium is found in quantity inside the cells, whereas sodium is found more in the extra-cellular fluid, blood and lymph, makes it further clear that potassium is in a position to have a deep action on the cellular ac- tivity. By means of the phosphorus component, relationships are established fur- thermore with the phosphorylation and formation of adenosine triphosphate in the mitochondria.

Dahlke describes Kali Phosphoricum as a universal nerve-remedy, which may at times be used simply on the basis of nervous weakness.

From a homotoxicological point of view, Kali Phosphoricum is indicated when there is enzyme damage to a greater or lesser degree in the cells, Kali Phosphoricum being especially indicated then in its various stages of potentisation in reversible en- zyme-blockages in impregnation phases, such as may occur after retoxic treatment of influenza or infectious diseases, tonsillitis, etc., presenting in symptoms of auto- nomic dystonia with nervousness, depressive moods, weakness of memory, anxiety, sleeplessness, and in serious cases of melancholia with a hysterical and hypochon- driacal element. Pressing headaches, localised particularly in the occiput and occur- ring after mental exertion, and pareses, are also indications for Kali Phosphoricum, as are a wide variety of spasmodic states, e.g. laryngospasm, trismus and writer’s cramp. Cramps in the calf muscles are also often relieved by Kali Phosphoricum, al- though Veratrum and Cuprum have a more thorough action here.

Chronic inflammations are also typical of the indications for Kali Phosphoricum. These may frequently be interpreted as evasive phases, e.g. middle-ear in- flammations with foetid discharge. It should be tried in cholesteatoma, offensive nasal discharge, scurvy and in watery, painless and foetid diarrhoeas, followed by great weakness which is somewhat relieved by eating. Emotional diarrhoeas are also an indication for Kali Phosphoricum, and especially peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. Typical is a gnawing sensation in the stomach, felt in one small place and relieved by drinking water. Kali Phosphoricum is also suggested by reflux oesophagitis with heart-complaints and pain in the left epigastrium, (otherwise Mo- mordica, Lycopodium, Ceanothus and Lachesis).

Kali Phosphoricum has a typical coating of the tongue. It is coated yellow, as if with liquid mustard (Dahlke). States of this sort may sometimes be found in typhoid illnesses or also in feverish states and infections, if these proceed with clouding of consciousness.

Kali Phosphoricum also works well in incontinence of urine and in bladder irrita- tion, and is likewise indicated as a supporting remedy in albuminuria and in diabetic retinopathy. It may also act favourably in bed-wetting and also in acrid, excoriating, yellowish leucorrhoea, and in seminal emissions, especially where there is great weakness after coitus and symptoms of impotence are present.

Stauffer refers in addition to the indications in acute and insidious psychoses with delusions and hallucinations, and recommends Kali Phosphoricum for puerperal mania and mania a potu, also in alopecia areata and general falling out of hair after serious illness, as well as in trophic disorders of the vascular nerves and in circula- tory disturbances. It will be understood that Kali Phosphoricum can also be of help in post-diphtheritic paralysis and in poliomyelitis, likewise in muscular dystrophy and neuralgias, even when these are of rheumatic origin.

Dewey mentions, amongst other things, the effectiveness of Kali Phosphoricum in rheumatic lameness of the back, aggravated after rest and on first movement, like Rhus Toxicodendron.

If we sum up the main symptoms of Kali Phosphoricum, the result is the follow- ing typical remedy picture:

1. Biochemic tissue-remedy for the nutrition of the nerves and nervous functions, in Schüssler’s system.
2. Neurasthenia, hysteria, hypochondriasis, depression and melancholia, nervous- ness, weakness of memory, anxiety, autonomic dystonia.
3. Pressing occipital headache. Tendency to spasms, laryngospasm.
4. Catarrh of the endoderm with coated tongue (like liquid mustard). Gastric and duodenal ulcer. Watery, foetid diarrhoeas. Emotional diarrhoeas. Spasms and pains in the left upper abdomen.
5. Leucorrhoea, yellowish and excoriating. Exhaustion after coitus. Incontinence of urine. Enuresis. Irritation of the bladder and albuminuria, also diabetic retinopa- thy.
6. Sequelae of serious septic illnesses, especially after retoxic treatment, also in falling out of hair and states of exhaustion following retoxic treatment.

• 7.   Rheumatic pains in the sacrum, associated with muscular weakness, worse when at rest, on rising and on first movement with lame feeling. Irritable weakness all over the body. Post-diphtheritic paralysis and after poliomyelitis.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Kalium phosphoricum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for kalium phosphoricum: inflammation of the oral cavity, the gums, and the respiratory passages; diarrhoea; digestive insufficiency; depressive emotional discord or upset; conditions of exhaustion; condition after overexertion and severe diseases.