Colchicum Autumn

Deadly poisonous! Colchicaceae - Colchicaceae (formerly: Liliaceae - Liliaceae). Common names: poisonous flower, poisonous crocus, autumn flower, dog onion, lousy flower, spider flower, devil's bread, meadow saffron. Parts used: seeds and corm. Pharmacy name: colchicum seeds - Colchici semen (formerly: Semen Colchici), colchicum tuber - Colchici bulbus (formerly: Bulbus Colchici).

Botanical Description: Colchicum flowers look like blue saffron flowers. Establishing itself deep in the soil with a heart-shaped bulb, the autumn crocus develops its flower stalks in September, which emerge leafless to the surface of the soil. The flower consists of a long funnel-shaped tube formed by six fused tepals of a simple perianth. The anthers and pistil style protrude from the corolla tube. The ovary of the flower is located in the soil, where the fruit and seeds ripen to be brought to the surface surrounded by leaves the following spring. Blooms in September. Found in damp meadows (more often in the south of Germany than in the north).

Active ingredients. The main active ingredient is the very poisonous alkaloid colchicine, which, apparently, is contained in the corm only until the seeds ripen. In mature seeds it is found in a fairly constant amount - 0.3-0.5%. About 20 different alkaloids are found in colchicum.

Healing action and application. But first, a warning: autumn crocus is a deadly poisonous plant and is under no circumstances suitable for self-medication! On the contrary, in the hands of doctors it is an extremely valuable remedy for acute attacks of gout. The dosage is determined by the doctor, who also monitors the treatment and decides whether to use pure colchicine or a tincture from the plant. Since the dosage is usually very high, sometimes even under medical supervision there are adverse reactions (for example, diarrhea on the second day), which also require treatment.

Use in homeopathy. Although the homeopathic remedy Colchicum is also used against gout and articular rheumatism, its area of ​​application is mainly inflammatory processes in the stomach and intestines. It is also used for neuralgia, tickling cough, and circulatory disorders. For gout, the original tincture or dilutions D1-D4 are used; for heart complaints, dilutions D1-D6 are given, which are also prescribed for inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

Side effects. Since autumn crocus contains colchicine in all its parts (even in flowers), if it is picked by children, who often take flowers into their mouths, dangerous poisoning can occur. And since the lesion becomes noticeable only after a few hours, when the poison has already penetrated the blood, first aid should be provided as soon as possible.

Signs of poisoning: severe vomiting, which does not stop after emptying the stomach, with bile and gastric mucus. Great thirst accompanied by nausea; diarrhea with colic and extremely foul odor. The pulse slows down at first, but then accelerates to 150 beats per minute or more, almost imperceptible. The complexion becomes pale, the lips turn blue, and the tip of the nose also becomes blue. The skin becomes covered with sticky mucus; convulsions begin. Finally, signs of paralysis appear. It is necessary to go to the hospital as quickly as possible, since only there can real help be provided.