The salts having Potassium element as their chief principle element are classified under Kali group. Potassium is one of the most important elements in the cell economy. It belongs to the Ist A Group of Mendeleev Periodic table. The members of Ist group (viz Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr) are generally known as the 'Alkali metals' and act as the univalent cations of salts in the lithosphere as well as in the organism. Kali salts produce the symptoms due to following properties:

- Cationic property.

- Strongly electropositive nature.

- Specific property of the anion group attached or properties peculiar to the salt.

So while going through Kali group the symptoms common to individual remedies are due to potassium ion itself.

The element due to its strong electropositive nature dissociates easily, as a result Potassium is rarely found in its free state in nature. In air as well as water they immediately undergo chemical reaction releasing a large amount of heat. Their compounds also dissociate rapidly giving rise to a wide range of chemical reactions.

Potassium also has the radioactive property (Campbell 1907). Possibly the radioactivity of the potassium plays a role in the catalytic excitation of cell life. (H.Zwaardemaker).

Like all alkali ions, potassium draws water to the place where it is richest itself. With increased administration in the blood by an addition in substance, that is, hypertonic solution, hydremia is the result.

Reduction of muscle irritability is apparently a special property of potassium which accounts for complaint of general debility, weakness and paralysis so often associated with Kali group.

Owing to its high melting point, potassiums maintain their principals, rigid, stubborn (rubric: Obstinate) and hard to please (rubric: Fastidious)

Just like the atomic structure of potassium "body centered cubic" they are centered to their body i.e. extremely anxious and fearful about their health (rubric: Fear of disease; hypochondriasis)

SPHERE OF ACTION

Muscles (esp Cardiac), Nerves (esp Vagus nerve), Gastro-intesinal tract, Skin, hair, mucous membrane, glands, bones and respiratory system.

CONSTITUTION

Built: Heavily built, Stout and robust, prone to gain weight and having premature old look.

Thermal reaction: According to Gibson Miller, most of the Kalis are Chilly (except Kali-iod).

MENTAL GENERALS: Evolution of Kali Personality

As a Child:

The above flow chart shows that the core feeling responsible for the Kali pathology is the "Need for Relationship & Harmony and Dependence on the Relationship". These two are solely responsible for carving and evolution of Kali personality. Owing to his need Kali person gets attached to his family and later emerges as two different poles of behaviourism depending on his family upbringing.

If the Kali child grows in a well-to-do family his dependency takes the form of pampering and he becomes timid (rubric Timidity; Confidence, want of self) and self centred person. But if the child grows up in want of resources he learns the importance of money, hence the rubric Fear poverty, of. He also learns to take responsibility at an early age. Thus Kali grows out to be a conscientious, reliable and reserved person.

Kali has the attachment to his family in such measure that most of his fears and delusions are formed on its bas (rubric: Delusions, dead, child was, her; brother, fell over board in her sight; ).

Kali as an Adult

As an adult, this core feeling of Need of Relationship develops in Kali an inner insecurity leading to vulnerability. This makes the patient anxious with a desire for company (rubric: Anxiety causeless; Company desire for). In contrast, Natrum needs one person and Magnesium needs one mother for nourishment whereas Kalium needs a family and Calcarea a home. He needs much greater security than Natrum, security not balanced by one to one relationship; he needs the family or a group of family. They feel tremendous anxiety without them (rubric: Anxiety with fear when alone). If anyone disturbs the relationship, the Kalium person gets quite fearful and out of that fear, can get quite aggressive. This aggressiveness is restricted to the family, hence the rubrics, Quarrels with family; Company, desire for, treats them outrageously; Harsh, with his family & children; Quarrels with his bread and butter.

Breaking off of the relationship produces in him Disappointment of love; the patient may try to cope up with it by suppressing his emotions, detaching himself  (rubric: Suicidal disposition; Ennui, Forsaken )or takes the religious route (rubric: Religious affections, melancholia; Despair, religious of salvation)

The dreams of Kali patient also revolves around his family or his anxiety (rubric: Dreams, anxious; child about).

GENERAL FEATURES

The key feature of Kali salts is debility and weakness; paresis and paralysing action of muscles also leads to constipation and difficult labour.

Character of pain: Pulling, shifting, stitching or sharp and drawing pains.

Discharge: Copious, thick, tough, non-offensive and yellowish-green.

Desires: Sweet.

Aversion: Meat.

Aggravation: touch, coition, exertion, during menses, 2 to 4 a.m.

Amelioration: movement, leaning forward, eating, motion etc.

MIASMATIC BACKGROUND:  The different salts of Kali group cover different miasmsbut predominantly they are of syphilitic background.

CLINICAL CONDITIONS: Anaemia, oedema, sinusitis, asthma, affections of heart, liver, gastric gland, rheumatic affections, spinal affections, sciatica, backache, ulcer etc.

REFERENCES:

1. Text book of Homoeopathic Materia Medica by Otto Leeser, B.Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
2. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory by W.Boericke, B.Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
3. The Soul of Remedies by Rajan Sankaran, Homoeopathic Medical Publishers.
4. The Substance of Homoeopathy by Rajan Sankaran, Homoeopathic Medical Publishers.
5. The Essence of Materia Medica by George Vithoulkas, B.Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
6. Kali Family with special references to the Relationship of Remedies by Ajit Kulkarni, Indian Book and Periodicals Publishers.
7. Materia Medica and Repertory of Homoeopathic Medicines by S.R.Phatak, B.Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
8. New Comprehensive Materia Medica of Mind by H.L.Chitkara, B.Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
9. Homoeopathy and Minerals by Jan Scholten, Homoeopathic Medical Publishers.
10.Homoeopathy and The Elements by Jan Scholten, Homoeopathic Medical Publishers.