Autumn colchicum: description, planting and care at home. Colchicum is a dangerous drug

Among all types of crocus, b. have the highest medicinal properties. magnificent and b. autumn. These plants are used not only in folk medicine. Based on the colchicum, preparations are prepared that are recommended by official pharmacology for the treatment of gout and many other diseases. When preparing raw materials, be careful: all parts of the plant are highly poisonous!

Colchicum splendid and autumnal

Colchicum speciosum Steven.

Description of the magnificent colchicum: family Melanthiaceae (Melanthiaceae).

The plant is 20-60 cm high. The bulb is large, oblong, up to 5 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, covered with dark brown, membranous leathery membranes, continuing into a long, wide tube covering the lower part of the stem.

Leaves number 4-5 (rarely 3 or 6), broadly oblong, obtuse at the top, 18-25 cm long, 3.5 cm wide, the lower leaves are larger, ovate, up to 7 cm wide, with a long sheath covering the stem .

The flowers are large, develop in autumn in numbers of 1-3, rarely 4, pink-purple or violet, petals are 5-6.5 cm long, 15-22 mm wide, broadly oval or elliptical, obtuse at the top. The perianth tube is wide. There are six stamens, almost half as long as the petals. The anthers are linear, 8-12 mm long, yellow. The pistil is one, with three columns longer than the stamens, thick, straight at the apex, with a one-sided stigma. The ovary is three-lobed. The capsule is three-locular, elliptical, up to 3 cm long. The seeds are round, brown, up to 2-3 mm in diameter.

Blooms in August-October. Fruits in June-July. Before frost, pollination of the flower has time to occur, and after the above-ground part has withered, the ovules slowly develop underground in the ovary and the fruit begins to form. Therefore, in the spring, as soon as the sun warms up, the young fruit is born along with the young leaves, and it ripens until mid-summer.

Special signs: blooms in autumn, after the leaves die. The base of the flowers with the ovary is in the ground. The seed box appears the following spring after flowering, along with the leaves of a new generation. One corm can produce several flowers at the same time. The corm lives a little more than one year, and a new one is formed every year.

Autumn crocus is also permitted for medicinal use.

Autumn colchicum (Colchicum autumnale L.).

Description of autumn colchicum: family Melanthiaceae (Melanthiaceae). Perennial corm plant, 8-25 cm tall.

The corm is ovoid, 2.5-6 cm long, surrounded by dark brown leathery shells, elongated at the top into a long neck. The stem is underground, greatly shortened. The leaves, 3 or 4 in number, are elongated-lanceolate, flat, with parallel veins, obtuse, 2-5 cm wide, disappearing by the time the plant blooms. Flowers are on short stalks, regular, bisexual, single or 2-3. The perianth is simple, corolla-shaped, lilac-pink, with a long triangular tube and a funnel-shaped six-parted limb; the limb lobes are elongated-elliptical, with 13-21 veins. The fruit is a brown, leathery, elongated oval, sharp, three-locular capsule. Blooms from September to November. The fruits ripen in June-July of the year following flowering.

Spreading: Colchicums grow in separate groups in the Krasnodar Territory, Abkhazia and the Carpathians in wet and flooded meadows along rivers, streams and highways. The positive results obtained in botanical gardens for growing Colchicum in culture are noteworthy.

You can admire the blooming Colchicum splendor in Moscow in the Botanical Garden at VDNKh from late August to October.

Growing: unpretentious ornamental plants that grow well in sunny places. Without transplanting, they grow in one place for quite a long time. They can be placed near bushes and tall herbaceous plants, but only on the south side. Prefer loose, light soils. Good nutritious garden soil is required. The planting depth of corms depends on their size and varies from 8 to 20 cm. The distance between the bulbs is from 10 to 20 cm.

In early spring, leaves appear, collected in a ground rosette on a short false stem, surrounded by a sheath of the lower leaf. The plant reaches a height of 20-40 cm. From the lower internodes of the stem, a corm is formed, covered with brown filmy or leathery dry covering scales, continuing with a long neck. The resulting corm has a growth with a renewal bud. The old, exhausted corm is decomposing.

The leaves die off from the end of May. They cannot be removed until the bulbs ripen.

Colchicums bloom in autumn. After flowering, the seeds and fruit begin to slowly develop, hidden in the corm at the base of the flower tube. And only next spring fruits appear along with the leaves above the soil surface. The seeds ripen by June-July next year.

Useful properties and use in folk medicine

Plant parts used: tubers, seeds and flowers.

High medicinal properties Colchicum are explained by the presence of active substances in the plant. Tubers contain organic acids, phytosterols, carbohydrates; seeds contain fat, carbohydrates, resins and tannins.

Various parts of the autumn crocus also contain:

apigenin (choleretic and antispasmodic) - flowers;
glucomannan (antitumor, regulator of lipid metabolism in the liver, immunoregulatory) - seeds;
kolkhamin (omain, demecolcin, colcemid) - tubers;
colchicoside (anti-inflammatory) -club.,
family 0.1-0.3%;
colchicine - tubers 0.035%, flowers. 0.33%-0.51%, seeds 0.3%; luteolin - flowers;
N-formyldeacetylcolchicine (antitumor).

Collection time: tubers - before flowering, flowers - September-November, seeds - June-July.

Collection: Colchicum corms are collected immediately before the plants begin to flower. They are freed from the aerial parts and roots, cleared of soil and used fresh or rarely dried (cut into pieces and dried in the sun or in an oven). The yield of alkaloids from dry raw materials is reduced by 1.6-2.2 times. It is not recommended to wash corms, as this reduces the quality of the raw material. If necessary, corms are stored fresh in a cool place on racks, laid out in a thin layer, according to list A. The shelf life of raw materials is up to 3 months. During flowering, colchicum buds and flowers are harvested. The seeds are collected during the period of their full ripeness (June-July), dried in a warm, dark place, spread in a thin layer on a cloth. The healing properties of colchicum raw materials last for one year.

In order to preserve colchicum thickets, when harvesting, you should leave 1-2 flowering plants per 10 square meters. m of thickets (it reproduces only by seeds), and repeated harvesting in the same area should be carried out no earlier than after 4-5 years.

Care must be taken during assembly, drying and storage.

In the forest belt of Abkhazia, a very similar species to the magnificent crocus grows - the white crocus, sometimes recognized as a special species, Colchicum liparochiadys Woron., It is also approved for use as a medicinal raw material.

Colchicum splendid is listed in the Red Books of Adygea, Dagestan, Krasnodar Territory, North Ossetia and the Chechen Republic.

Autumn colchicum is listed in the Red Books: Kaluga, Leningrad and Novgorod regions in Russia.

Economic purpose: widely cultivated as ornamental plant, notable for its late flowering, when there are almost no bright colors left in gardens and parks. flowering plants. In this regard, it has been introduced almost everywhere in the world in the zone temperate climate. Varieties have been developed with white, pink and several shades of purple. Currently, hybrids with double flowers have appeared.

The healing properties of colchicum are widely used in medicinal purposes

Recipes for using colchicum in folk medicine:

tincture of colchicum tubers for rheumatism, gout (for external use): 1 part dry crushed tubers to 5 parts 50% alcohol, leave in a dark place for 21 days, shaking occasionally, filter. Use for rubbing.
tincture for internal use: 10 g of fresh onion per 100 ml of 45% alcohol, leave in a dark place for 21 days, shaking occasionally, filter. Take 1 drop per day for no more than 20 days. If the colchicum-based medication is well tolerated, the number of drops can be gradually increased to 10-15.
tincture for internal and external use: 1 part seeds to 10 parts 70% alcohol, leave in a dark place for 21 days, shaking occasionally, filter. Take 15-20 drops 3 times a day for no more than 15-20 days. For external use, the tincture is applied directly to the area where the pain is located.

Medications based on Colchicum for gout and other diseases

Application: The main active ingredients of Colchicus splendor are the alkaloid colchamine (antimitotic, antitumor - leukemia, cancer of the skin, esophagus, stomach).

Colhamine is a potent antiblastic agent and is used to treat skin cancer (exophytic and endophytic forms of stages 1 and 2) and inoperable forms of esophageal cancer (especially when the cancer is localized in the lower part), as well as stomach cancer.

In the treatment of stomach cancer and esophageal cancer good results gives a combination of colchamine with sarcolysine. Medications based on Colchicum are taken orally at the same time 3 times a week. Sarcolysin is prescribed 15 mg, rarely 10-20 mg, colchamine - 5 mg, rarely 6 mg per dose. Colchamine and sarcolysine tablets are thoroughly crushed, mixed and taken with 1-2 tablespoons of jelly so that the drugs are not quickly digested and linger longer on the surface of the tumor, exerting a long-lasting local effect on it.

In case of overdose, symptoms such as diarrhea and temporary hair loss are possible. If blood impurities appear in the vomit and tarry stool, treatment is stopped and hemostatic therapy is carried out. During treatment, it is periodically necessary to test stool for blood content.

Colhamin is also used in complex treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, respiratory tract papillomas, and recurrent breast and rectal cancer.

Colchamine (0.5%) ointment. The effect of the ointment on the tumor often begins 2-3 days after the start of treatment, more often after 10-12 days. Recurrent tumors that occur after radiation therapy are usually cured within 28 days. After stopping the application of colhamine ointment, apply aseptic dressings for 10-12 days. Treatment with colhamine ointment leads to epithelization of the skin with a good cosmetic effect.

In folk medicine, tincture of colchicum seeds is taken orally for polyarthritis deformans as a painkiller.

Externally, a tincture of seeds and an ointment made from a mixture of seeds, flowers and corms are used as painkillers for joint rheumatism and gout.

Colchicine has antitumor effects in adenofibroma of the mammary gland and desmoid, cirrhosis, and is also a nonspecific anti-inflammatory agent, parasympathomimetic, sympathomimetic (sympathomimetic) and antipruritic agent, increases capillary resistance, stimulates the adrenal cortex.

For acute gouty arthritis, anti-inflammatory treatment is carried out with colchicine. It is prescribed for oral administration at a dose of 0.5 mg every hour or 1 mg every 2 hours, and treatment is continued until:

the patient’s condition will not improve;
There will be no adverse reactions from the gastrointestinal tract
or - the total dose of the drug does not reach 6 mg due to lack of effect.

Colchicine is most effective if treatment is started soon after symptoms appear. In the first 12 hours of treatment, the condition improves significantly in more than 75% of patients. However, in 80% of patients, the crocus drug causes adverse reactions from the gastrointestinal tract, which may appear before clinical improvement or simultaneously with it. When taken orally, the maximum plasma level of colchicine is achieved in approximately 2 hours. A dose of 1 mg every 2 hours has been developed, which will reduce the accumulation of the toxic dose before the therapeutic effect appears. The effectiveness of this treatment regimen requires further research.

When testing the drug, it was noticed that with intravenous administration of colchicine, side effects from the gastrointestinal tract do not occur, and the patient’s condition improves faster. As an initial dose, 2 mg should be administered intravenously, and then, if necessary, repeat the administration of 1 mg twice with an interval of 6 hours.

Pharmaceuticals:

"Colchaminum": is one of the alkaloids isolated from the corms of the splendid colchicum. Kolkhamin is used in combination with sarcolysine to treat esophageal cancer.

Mode of application:"Kolkhamin" is prescribed orally in the form of tablets of 6-10 mg (0.006-0.01 g) 2-3 times a day, the total dose per course is 50-100 mg. This use of colhamine requires careful medical supervision and monitoring of the cellular composition of the blood.

Side effects: When taking colhamine orally, nausea and vomiting may occur. In case of overdose, severe inhibition of hematopoiesis is possible.

Contraindications: the use of Colhamin (and its combinations with other antitumor drugs) for esophageal cancer is contraindicated in cases of signs of impending perforation in the bronchi and in the presence of perforation; with pronounced inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis, as well as anemia (decreased hemoglobin content in the blood).

Storage conditions: list A, in a cool place, protected from light. Synonyms: “Demekoltsin”, “Omain”, “Kolcemid”, “Demekolsin”.

"Colchicine" (Colchicin): used for acute gouty attacks and for the prevention of relapse of gouty attacks, especially in the first 2 years after starting to take hypouricemic drugs, for systemic scleroderma, amyloidosis, Behçet's disease, familial Mediterranean fever.

Mode of application: acute attacks of gout and acute inflammatory processes: 1 day - 1 tablet 3 times a day; Days 2 and 3 - 1 tablet 2 times a day (morning and evening); Day 4 - 1 tablet in the evening. The following days - 1 tablet per day (in the evening). For chronic gout, the colchicum medicine is prescribed in the amount of 1 tablet to be taken in the evening. To prevent gout attacks during hypouricemic courses of treatment: 1 tablet per day in the evening, use for 3 months for gout without tophi. Dragees: initial dose of 2 pills, then every 1-2 hours, 1-3 pills until the pain disappears; the maximum daily dose is 16 tablets. To prevent exacerbation of gout, prescribe 1-3 tablets per day, daily or every other day; Duration of treatment is 3 months. For periodic illness complicated by amyloidosis, long-term (up to 5 years or more) 1-1.5 mg per day. Side effects: dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, etc.) that occur when ingesting high doses, myelosuppression (leukopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia - usually with long-term treatment), temporary alopecia, liver failure, impaired renal function, depression, myopathy, peripheral neuritis, reversible aspermia, malabsorption syndrome manifested by vitamin B12 deficiency, allergic skin reactions, local irritation during intravenous administration and extravasation - sharp pain, necrosis.

Overdose: nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, abdominal and oral pain, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, burning skin, severe dehydration with hypotension and hypovolemic shock, decreased myocardial contractility and ST segment elevation on ECG, hematuria, oliguria, convulsions, ascending paralysis, respiratory depression . The development of hepatocellular damage, acute renal failure, and pulmonary infiltrates is possible. 5 days after an overdose, severe bone marrow suppression with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy may occur. Treatment: carried out in a poison control center. There is no specific antidote. Hemodialysis is ineffective. Control of airway patency, auxiliary ventilation, monitoring and maintenance of vital functions, normalization of blood gas composition, electrolyte balance, and anti-shock measures are necessary.

Contraindications: hypersensitivity, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, neutropenia, liver and kidney dysfunction, purulent infections, cardiovascular pathology, alcoholism, pregnancy, old age.

Special instructions: a false positive urine reaction to hemoglobin and red blood cells is possible.

Colchamin ointment 0.5% (“Unguentum Colchamini 0.5%”): a yellowish mass of rather thick consistency with a peculiar odor, with a high degree of dispersion, consisting of kolhamin, emulsifier, synthomycin (the latter to prevent secondary infection) and water. Released and stored tightly closed banks 25 and 100 g each. Colchamine ointment is recommended for use in exophytic and endophytic forms of skin cancer of stages I and II. There is evidence of the use of colhamine ointment in the treatment of skin warts of viral etiology. Ingredients: colhamin - 0.5 g, thymol - 0.15 g, synthomycin - 0.05 g, emulsifier - 26 g, alcohol - 6 g, water - 67.3 g (per 100 g of ointment).

Mode of application: ointment in an amount of no more than 1.5 g is applied with a spatula directly to the surface of the tumor and surrounding areas of skin (0.5-1 cm), covered with gauze and sealed with adhesive tape. The ointment is applied daily. The course of treatment is 18-25 days. If necessary (for endophytic forms), treatment is continued for another 7-10 days. When dressings, carefully remove the remnants of the previously applied ointment, decaying tumor tissue, and fibrinous deposits, both directly from the tumor and from the surrounding areas of the skin. After stopping the application of the ointment, apply an aseptic (sterile) bandage for 10-12 days and thoroughly clean the wound. At the first signs of a toxic effect, the ointment is canceled, glucose, ascorbic acid, leukogen or other stimulators of leukopoiesis (the process of formation of leukocytes) are prescribed, and if necessary, a blood transfusion is given.

Side effects: Colchamine ointment penetrates the skin and mucous membranes and in large doses can cause leukopenia (low white blood cell count), protein in the urine, diarrhea and other side effects that can occur when the drug is taken orally. When these symptoms appear, treatment with colhamine ointment is stopped, glucose with ascorbic acid, leukopoiesis stimulants (sodium nucleinate, pentoxyl, methylthiouracil, leucogen, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, etc.), if necessary, blood substitutes are transfused.

Contraindications: the use of ointment is contraindicated for stage III and IV skin cancer with metastases (new tumors that have appeared in other organs and tissues as a result of the transfer of cancer cells with blood or lymph from the primary tumor). Colchamine ointment should not be applied near mucous membranes.

Caution: all parts of the plant are highly poisonous!!!

Colchicum preparations are contraindicated in case of renal and liver failure, purulent diseases, and pregnancy.
It is not recommended to apply colchamine ointment near mucous membranes (conjunctiva of the eyelids, mucous membrane of the oral cavity, rectum). Penetrating through the skin and mucous membranes, colchamine in large doses can cause leukopenia and other side effects that are observed with internal use Colchamine. Nausea and vomiting may occur when using Colchamine. In case of overdose, inhibition of hematopoietic function is possible.
Special precautions should be taken when administering colchicine intravenously. It has an irritating effect and, if it enters the tissue surrounding the vessel, can cause severe pain and necrosis. It is important to remember that the intravenous route of administration requires care and that the drug should be diluted in 5-10 volumes of normal saline solution, and the infusion should be continued for at least 5 minutes.
Colchicum is contraindicated for diarrhea and diabetes.
Both oral and parenteral administration of colchicine can suppress bone marrow function and cause alopecia, liver cell failure, depression, seizures, ascending paralysis, respiratory depression and death. Toxic effects are more likely in patients with pathology of the liver, bone marrow or kidneys, as well as in those receiving maintenance doses of colchicine. In all cases, the dose of the drug must be reduced.
Colchicum should not be prescribed to patients with neutropenia.
Colchicum preparations are not prescribed for suppression of bone marrow hematopoiesis (leukocyte level below 4x109/l, platelet level below 100x10/l), as well as anemia.
For stage III and IV skin cancer with metastases, the use of colhamine ointment is contraindicated.
If blood appears in the vomit and tarry stools, treatment is stopped and hemostatic therapy is carried out. During treatment, it is necessary to conduct a stool test for occult blood.
Diarrhea and temporary alopecia are possible when taking colchicum.
All parts of the plant, especially damaged bulbs, and even the water in which the flowers stood, are poisonous, and flower growers and herbalists should handle them with caution, always wear gloves and preferably a medical mask.
For treatment at home, you can use herbal raw materials only for external use, observing all safety measures.

Treatment with the drugs "Kolkhamin" and "Colchicine" is carried out in a hospital under the constant supervision of a doctor.

The alkaloid colchicine damages the microtubular apparatus of cells and stops their division. Also damages nerves and blood vessels.

Poisoning can be very severe: after a few hours, a burning sensation in the throat, burning of the skin, dizziness and nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, pain in the abdomen and mouth, which can later develop into colic, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, severe dehydration with hypotension and hypovolemic shock, decreased myocardial contractility, hematuria, oliguria, convulsions, ascending paralysis, respiratory depression and collapse.

There is evidence that 6 g of colchicum seeds contain a lethal dose of its alkaloids.

Treatment: give enveloping agents, milk, tea, tannin solutions.

Gastric lavage in case of colchicine poisoning in most cases does not give positive results.

There is no antidote! Treatment is based on the prescription of symptomatic drugs.

Calling an ambulance is mandatory.

Colchicum, or colchicum, is a perennial bulbous plant that includes many species (only two are common in our country - the magnificent colchicum and the autumn colchicum). All of them are very unusual life cycle: flowering occurs in late autumn, leaves and fruits form in spring, by summer the plant scatters seeds, after which its entire above-ground part dries out completely in order to “wake up” again by autumn. The tuberous bulb of the crocus is used for medicinal purposes.

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Did you know? There are a huge number of popular names for this herbaceous plant, indicating either a specific development cycle or the fact that the crocus is poisonous. So, it is sometimes called the untimely color, autumn color, autumn color, winter color, as well as “dog’s death” and “fatherless son.” In Europe, colchicum is known as meadow saffron. The British, due to the absence of leaves at the time of flowering, call the plant “naked lady”. But the name Colchicum has geographical roots. The ancient Greeks called Colchis the historical region of western Transcaucasia, now it is the territory of Georgia. The Hellenes believed that Colchicum grew from drops of the blood of Prometheus, the protector of people from the tyranny of the gods, falling to the ground.

Today, colchicum is grown both for decorative purposes and as a medicinal raw material.

A huge amount of alkaloids were found in various organs of the crocus. There are more than two dozen of them, but the main ones include colchicine, colchamine and colchicine.

Colchicine has the ability to delay the movement of white blood cells to the site of inflammation, slow down cell division, block inflammation of skeletal muscles, and restore protein metabolism. The alkaloid is very effective in treating acute attacks of gout. Colchicum bulbs contain about 0.7% of this substance, a little more in flowers, and up to 1.2% in seeds.

Colchamine is similar in properties to colchicine, but is much less toxic. Colchicine is used mainly for the preparation of various colchicine derivatives.

In addition to the three alkaloids mentioned above, colchicum also includes glycoalkaloids, aromatic acids, flavonoids (apigenin), sterols and sugars. The seeds of the plant also contain resins, tannins, and lipids. Having such a chemical composition, colchicum has numerous medicinal properties.

Medicinal properties of colchicum

The beneficial properties of colchicum are primarily associated with colchicine and colchamine released from its tubers.

Thus, colchicine, extracted from the crocus plant, is produced in the form of tablets, which are prescribed for the treatment and prevention of gout, gouty arthritis, as well as phlebitis (inflammation of the vein wall), protein metabolism disorders, certain joint diseases (chondrocalcinosis), as well as such “exotic” diseases , like scleroderma, Mediterranean fever and some others. In addition, the drug is used to treat inflammatory processes in dentistry and otolaryngology. As for kolhamin, its main purpose is to fight cancer of the esophagus and the upper third of the stomach, in cases where surgical intervention is impossible. As an ointment, colhamine has been successfully used to treat some forms of early-stage skin cancer. This alkaloid is capable of killing atypical cells and, as mentioned above, is less toxic compared to colchicine. The substance should be used with caution, as it causes gastric upsets, lowers blood pressure, slows down the formation of leukocytes and lymphocytes, and tends to accumulate in the body.

Did you know? The healing properties of colchicum were noticed a long time ago; healers of Ancient Egypt, India and Greece wrote about the plant. During the Middle Ages, colchicum was used to treat wounds and reduce pain in joints and bones, and also as an additional ingredient - as a diuretic. But at the same time, side effects were noted in the form of diarrhea, as well as, oddly enough, an increase in sexual activity. The pharmaceutical industry of Great Britain used the plant from the beginning of the 17th to the 20th centuries to produce drugs for rheumatism, gout and various neuralgic diseases, but such drugs have now been discontinued due to their low effectiveness and pronounced side effects.

Despite the fact that we are talking about a very poisonous plant, colchicum is nevertheless used in folk medicine as a laxative and diuretic, and also, if necessary, to relieve a pain attack or induce vomiting.

Preparation of medicinal raw materials

As indicated, the medicinal raw material of colchicum is primarily the bulb. It should be dug up along with the roots during the flowering period of colchicum. It is better to choose the largest tubers. Then the root must be carefully freed from the ground, aerial parts and the renewal shoot (it is located on the side), after which the corms must be dried. To do this, the raw materials are laid out on a horizontal surface in a warm and dry place with good ventilation. The resulting raw materials can be stored for no longer than three months in a layer of no more than 10 cm in a ventilated area.

Important! Under no circumstances should you wet or even wash the corms before drying! It is also not recommended to use corms that were damaged during digging, since such raw materials are poorly stored and quickly begin to rot and become moldy.

When preparing raw materials, extreme caution must be taken, not forgetting that the plant is very poisonous. In addition, an appropriate warning must be placed on any packaging in which dried roots will be stored or sold.

Use of colchicum in folk medicine

As stated, colchicum is widely used in folk medicine, although many knowledgeable people categorically do not recommend using this potent poisonous raw material for self-medication, since the danger from such experiments may be much higher than the possible positive effect.

Colchicum infusion

Water infusion Colchicum is prepared as follows: crushed dried root of the plant (no more than 1/2 teaspoon) is poured with boiling water (0.5 l), the resulting mixture is infused for two hours, filtered and squeezed. It is used internally for jaundice, whooping cough, dropsy, aching bones due to a cold, rheumatic, neuralgic pain, and heart weakness.

Important! Colchicum should be used internally in minimal doses - start with two drops, gradually increasing their number to eight, and to reduce the concentration of the toxic substance, be sure to drink the infusion with at least a glass warm water without gas. Consume 40 minutes after meals.

To relieve pain and relieve inflammation, you can prepare an infusion of freshly harvested crocus roots in the same way. It can be used externally (for rubbing or compress) or internally up to six times a day, observing the above precautions.

Colchicum tincture

It has been noted that the alkaloids contained in colchicum help with rheumatic pain. For this you can prepare alcohol tincture Colchicum: dried corms need to be crushed and poured with a 50% solution of ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 1:5, left in a dark place for 15 days and used as lotions and compresses.

To relieve pain in the joints and back, you can prepare a vinegar tincture from colchicum according to a similar recipe by mixing dry crushed roots with 9% vinegar at the rate of 1 part raw material to 12 parts vinegar. Insist for the same two weeks. Use as a rub in small doses.

For cystitis, edema, urolithiasis A tincture of fresh colchicum bulbs is used: the raw material (2 medium-sized bulbs) must be grated, taking the necessary precautions, pour in 0.2 liters of vodka, the infusion period and conditions are the same. Take no more than two drops orally three times a day with plenty of water. The first dose should be taken in an even smaller volume and wait longer to ensure that there are no negative reactions or symptoms of poisoning.

Also in folk medicine, a tincture of colchicum seeds is used to relieve pain: 10 g of seeds should be poured with undiluted ethyl alcohol (125 ml), left in a dark place for three weeks, and strained. Use as a rub or 1 drop orally, observing the above precautions. Another tincture recipe is also known: 1 part of the seeds is poured with 10 parts of a 70% solution of ethyl alcohol, the infusion time is two weeks. For external or internal use, the dose can be gradually increased to 20 drops three times a day. Don't forget to take the drug with plenty of water!

Ointment for rubbing

Colchicum ointment, like the infusion, is used externally to relieve pain from radiculitis, arthritis, rheumatism, and gout.

To prepare the ointment, chop 300 g of onions (dry or fresh), add 0.5 liters of water to the resulting pulp and simmer in a water bath for half an hour. The finished infusion is filtered and mixed with any fat (vaseline, butter, etc.) until an ointment is formed. Use externally. Store in the refrigerator under tight closed lid.

Contraindications, symptoms of poisoning and first aid

The use of colchicum is very dangerous and has a large number of contraindications.

Preparations made on the basis of colchicum cannot be used in the later stages of cancer, with gastric bleeding, with a decrease in the process of hematopoiesis and in cases of through penetration of malignant tumors into the bronchi. Colchicum is strictly contraindicated for children.

Important! Just 6 g of colchicum seeds can kill an adult; for a child this dose is 3-4 times less. Poisoning can occur even after drinking milk obtained from a cow that has eaten the plant. At the same time, the toxic substances found in colchicum are not destroyed by boiling.

Colchicum poisoning is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea with bloody discharge. In addition, blood pressure decreases, arrhythmia, convulsions, decreased body temperature, paralysis, and hallucinations are observed. The first signs appear 2 hours after poisoning and later, the process proceeds slowly, the consequences of intoxication are observed within ten days. The most acute phase occurs on the 3-7th day of the disease.

If there is any suspicion of colchicum poisoning, you should take sorbex or activated carbon, rinse the stomach with potassium permanganate (0.1% solution) and immediately seek medical help. Drinking plenty of fluids is also recommended.

The danger of being poisoned by colchicum if accidentally consumed or used as a medicine is so great that it is strongly not recommended to use this plant for self-medication. In any case, all of the above traditional medicine recipes should be discussed in great detail with your doctor and only after that make an informed decision about the possibility of this method of healing.

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Colchicum - medicinal properties, uses and recipes

Colchicum - herbaceous perennial, belongs to the Liliaceae family. The stem is low, only 10-50 cm in height. The root is an oblong corm from 3 to 5 cm in length, the bulb is covered with dark brown scales. The leaves are large, glabrous, elongated-lanceolate. Flowers are large, single, 20-25 cm high, there are different shades- from white to purple. The fruits are a diamond- or ellipse-shaped capsule. It has a peculiar development cycle. Colchicum blooms in late autumn, and the seed ripening period is late spring - early summer. After the seeds ripen, the above-ground part immediately dies off and no trace remains that there is a plant in this place. And during flowering, the leaves are not yet fully developed.

Nowadays, about 70 species of colchicum are known, they differ from each other in the periods of seeding and flowering. Distributed in Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, India, on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, in Central Asia; colchicum can be found throughout Europe. In Russia, this plant is listed in the Red Book. It forms thickets in the subalpine forest zone.

Medicinal value represents the corm of the crocus. The plant was famous for its medicinal and healing properties in ancient times. There are mentions of him in the annals of Egypt, Greece and India. Avicena's notes say that he used colchicum to treat wounds, for joint diseases and relieve pain from gout. In addition, he said that you should not abuse it - it can cause stomach upset and increase sexual desire, especially in combination with mint and ginger. For the Duke of Portland, the powder, which included colchicum, was used as a diuretic.

Preparation and storage

Colchicum is absolutely unpretentious in care and does not require annual replanting. Feels great on loose and light soils. Propagated by daughter bulbs, you need to plant no deeper than 20 cm. Plant the plant in summer period after the ground part dies. Collecting bulbs and processing the aerial parts is carried out only in compliance with personal safety rules, since all parts of the colchicum are poisonous.

Use in everyday life

Alkaloids, colchamine and colchicine, which is found in colchicum, are used in agriculture for growing polyploid plant forms.

Composition and medicinal properties

In pharmacology, colchicine and colhamine are known, which are contained in this plant. Kolhamin blocks mitosis at the metaphase stage due to its antimycotic effect. Kolkhamin lowers blood pressure, inhibits lympholoesis and leukemia, causes diarrhea and reduces the pain threshold. Accumulates in tissues.
It is much less toxic than colchicine and is used in the treatment of malignant neoplasms. For exophytic and endophytic forms of skin cancer, colchamine ointment is used. It causes tumor disintegration, but should be applied carefully, avoiding contact with mucous membranes.
For inoperable cancer of the upper third of the stomach or esophagus, colchamine tablets with sarcolysine are prescribed.
The underground and above-ground parts of the crocus are very poisonous, but the seeds and bulb are especially toxic. Therefore, we should not forget that all drugs based on it are poisonous in their chemical composition.
Despite this, when using tinctures, ointments and infusions based on Colchicum, positive dynamics can be observed.
The bulbs contain heterocyclic alkaloids, flavonoids, aromatic acids, and glucoalcohols.
The chemical composition of seeds contains resins, lipids, resins, alkaloids, and tannins.
In the last century, colchicum began to be used in official medicine in the treatment of neuralgia, rheumatism, gout, but due to toxicity its use has now been suspended.
Preparations from colchicum are often used in the treatment of cancer.

Use in folk medicine

Nowadays, in folk medicine, preparations from colchicum are used as a diuretic, analgesic, laxative and emetic.

Tincture of fresh onions for cystitis

Crush 2 bulbs of the plant, pour in 200 ml of vodka, and keep in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink 2 drops 3 times a day (if there is no individual reaction). Used for urolithiasis, cystitis, edema, rheumatism.

Infusion for arthritis, gout, radiculitis and rheumatism for external use

To prepare the colchicum infusion, you will need to pour half a teaspoon of the onion into half a liter of boiling water, leave for two hours, filter and squeeze out the remainder. Start using the minimum dose and gradually increase it to 8 ml and apply up to six times a day. Take the infusion with a glass of warm still water.

Infusion for relieving back and joint pain

Colchicum rub is prepared in two ways: crushed dry onions are poured with vinegar in a ratio of 1/12 and left for 2 weeks. Used as an anesthetic. Rub the sore spot with 1 teaspoon of infusion.

Infusion for relieving rheumatic pain

Chopped dry onions are poured with 50% ethyl alcohol. There should be five times more alcohol than dry potion. Infuse for two weeks in a dark place and use for rheumatic diseases.

Ointment for rubbing for arthritis and rheumatism

To prepare the ointment, finely chop 300 grams of leaves and bulbs, add two glasses of water and place in a water bath. After half an hour, remove the infusion, filter and add Vaseline or butter until the required consistency is obtained. The resulting ointment should be stored in a closed container and in the refrigerator.

Tincture for pain relief

Colchicum tincture has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. Apply the tincture internally or externally to the area of pain. To prepare the tincture, take half a glass of ethyl alcohol and add 10 grams of plant seeds. Leave for 3 weeks in a dark place, filter and apply 1 drop, if not observed side effects, then the dose can be gradually increased.

Colchicum seed tincture for pain relief for external use

The second method of preparing the tincture is to pour the seeds with 70% ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 1/10 and leave for 20 days. The tincture is used externally as a lotion on the area where pain is localized or internally, 15-20 drops three times a day.

Contraindications

Before deciding to use any form of medicine that contains colchicum products, you should definitely consult a doctor, since all parts of the plant contain toxic substances. Therefore, uncontrolled use and incorrectly selected dosage can lead to serious consequences, even death.
Colchicum preparations can negatively affect hematopoiesis, therefore, when consuming colchicum, the hematological parameters of the body should be monitored. If hematopoiesis is impaired, ascorbic acid, leukopoiesis stimulants and blood transfusions are prescribed.
The first signs of a drug overdose are nausea, stomach irritation, and vomiting.
Colchamine preparations are not used if the hematopoietic function of the brain is suppressed.
Colchamine ointment is not prescribed for skin cancer at stages 3 and 4. Colchamine tablets should not be taken if there are signs of gastric or intestinal bleeding or if there is tumor perforation in the bronchi.
From all of the above, it is worth remembering that it is always worth considering the possible danger of using colchicum preparations!

nmedic.info

Autumn colchicum: medicinal properties and contraindications, application

Autumn colchicum, or, as it is also called, colchicum, which decorates many gardens, is a herbaceous bulbous perennial plant from the Colchicum family of the genus Colchicum. The plant bulb has a convex shape on one side, like conventional bulbs, and on the other, a flat shape (like a cut one). The length of the bulb is about 7 centimeters, and the diameter is about 3 centimeters. The bulb is covered with brown dead leaf sheaths. The plant forms a bunch of green leaves above the surface of the ground. They are quite large, elongated-lanceolate in shape, with a smooth shiny surface. The flowers of the plant are solitary - one bulb produces one flower. Since the plants grow crowded, when flowering they form very attractive colorful clumps. The color of the flowers is soft lilac. They resemble crocuses in shape. The height of the flower can reach up to 25 centimeters. The fruit of the colchicum is a diamond-shaped capsule. The flowering period of the plant occurs in late autumn. The fruits ripen in early spring.

Colchicum grows in Europe, where it is found everywhere except in the countries of Scandinavia, whose climate is too cold for the plant. In Russia, the flower can also be seen in nature. The plant prefers damp meadows. As a decorative flower, colchicum is popular among both amateurs and landscape designers. Colchicum is grown commercially for medicinal use. Traditional medicine and folk therapy are equally highly valued medicinal properties Colchicum bulbs.

Chemical composition of colchicum

Since the plant is used in traditional medicine, its composition is not a mystery. The plant contains: colchamine, colchicine, flavonoid apigenin, phytosterols, tannins, resinous compounds, colchicine, speciosamine, fatty oil, aromatic compounds and sugars. In addition, colchicum is rich in macro- and microelements necessary for the human body. The following are found in maximum concentrations in the plant: iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper and selenium. All these components in the composition of the colchicum make it a powerful tool against cancer in traditional medicine. In folk medicine, the plant is used more widely. Despite the fact that the flower is poisonous, when taken correctly and competently it only brings benefits.

What is autumn colchicum used for?

Primarily, colchicum is used as an anticancer, laxative, antiemetic, analgesic, specific anti-inflammatory and blood pressure lowering agent.

As a medicine to combat oncology, colchicum is used for cancer of the esophagus and upper stomach in the inoperable stage, as well as in the form of ointments for skin cancer in endophytic and exophytic forms. Under the influence of medicinal substances contained in the plant, the division of pathological cells is disrupted, and as a result, tumor growth stops. Further, when taking autumn colchicum, destruction of the tumor begins to occur, since the outlived cells die, and new ones do not form in their place. In addition, therapy with colchicum helps stop the development of metastases, and in their absence, reduces the risk of occurrence. Since the plant is poisonous, when undergoing a course of treatment with drugs based on it, maintenance therapy for the liver and kidneys is also necessary.

As a powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, autumn crocus is used in the treatment of deformational arthritis and arthrosis of the joints. By relieving pain (even of high intensity), colchicum can improve the patient’s condition, and the ability to relieve inflammation facilitates the course of the disease and significantly slows down the rate of its progression.

Colchicum is used in folk medicine and to get rid of problems with the kidneys and bladder. In the presence of sand and fractions, the size of which allows them to come out on their own, as well as in cystitis, colchicum is indicated as a diuretic and analgesic. When using plant-based preparations, you can cleanse your kidneys in just a few days without experiencing any pain. For cystitis, colchicum also provides pain relief and successfully flushes the bladder and ureters, which helps get rid of pathogenic bacteria as quickly as possible.

For rheumatism, radiculitis, myositis, muscle and ligament injuries, the plant is used in the form of rubbing to relieve pain. Quickly penetrating through the skin, the medicine helps eliminate pain for a long time and restore a person to almost full mobility, which is very important for these diseases. In case of traumatic injuries, the crocus, of course, will not restore mobility, since the tissues must first undergo a regeneration process, but the plant will greatly alleviate the condition of the injured person.

Contraindications for treatment with colchicum

Since the plant is very poisonous, there are quite a few contraindications for treatment. You should definitely listen to them, as otherwise you can cause serious harm to the body. Colchicum should not be used for treatment when:

disorders in the hematopoietic system;
stomach bleeding;
intestinal bleeding;
stage 4 skin cancer;
pregnancy;
breast-feeding;
childhood;
old age over 70 years;
allergic reaction to the plant.

Even if there are no contraindications for colchicum therapy, you should first consult with your doctor, who will accurately select the dosage and determine the duration of treatment.

Signs of poisoning with colchicum medicine and first aid

Autumn colchicum is a particularly poisonous plant, so when treating, they should know how poisoning manifests itself if the dosage is suddenly violated. As a rule, the consequences of excessive use of colchicum-based medicine appear within 2 to 6 hours after administration. In this case, the patient experiences:

acute abdominal pain;
vomit;
bloody diarrhea;
burning in the throat;
severe drop in blood pressure;
a sharp increase in body temperature followed by an equally sharp decrease.

If symptoms of overdose occur, call immediately ambulance, and before her arrival you need to give the victim a few tablets activated carbon, provide warmth and plenty of fluids. Ideally, the patient should be given milk.

Recipes for medicines from autumn colchicum

Tincture of bulbs to cleanse the kidneys and eliminate cystitis

To prepare the drug, you need to take 2 fresh, just dug up autumn colchicum bulbs and, after peeling them, chop them. After this, pour the resulting mass with high-quality vodka, and the mixture should be placed in a dark place to infuse for 14 days. During this period, the drug must be shaken daily. For achievement therapeutic effect take the medicine 2 drops 3 times a day for 10 days. If necessary, the attending physician can extend the course of treatment to 20 days, but only with constant monitoring of blood quality.

Infusion for rubbing for joint and back pain

For this medicine, you need to take dried plant bulbs and pour vinegar in a ratio of 1:12. Infuse the composition in the dark for 14 days. Rub the prepared tincture on sore spots 2 times a day, using 1 small (teaspoon) spoon of tincture once.

Analgesic tincture for oral administration

For this very effective medicine, you need to take 10 grams of plant seeds and pour 120 milliliters of medical alcohol into them. Then, placing it in the dark, the composition is kept for 21 days. After this period, the product is filtered. The drug is used orally, 1 drop 3 times a day. For particularly severe pain, you can drink 2 drops.

Constipation reliever

Taking this remedy will bring quick results and help completely improve digestion. To obtain the drug, you need to brew half a teaspoon of crushed plant seeds with 500 milliliters of boiling water. After this, covering the container with the medicine with a lid and insulating it with a blanket, infuse it for 120 minutes. Then the strained infusion is drunk half a teaspoon 6 times a day, washed down with 1 glass of warm boiled water. The duration of therapy is 5 days.

Harvesting Colchicum

The seeds and bulbs of the plant are mainly used for medicinal purposes. The collection of corms is carried out until the moment when flower-bearing arrows appear above the surface of the ground. Optimal time for this - the end of August or the beginning of September. Having dug up the bulbs, they are washed well and laid out to dry in one layer in a warm, dark, dry room. You can also use special dryers for vegetables and fruits for drying. Store the bulbs tightly closed. glassware 3 years. Seeds are collected in the spring at the time of ripening. They are dried, spread out on the canvas in a thin layer, in a dark place, and then also packaged in an airtight glass container. Their shelf life is no more than 12 months. When harvesting colchicum, it is important to remember that it is poisonous and to work with raw materials only in protective rubber gloves. If you neglect this safety rule, you can get intoxication through the skin or a serious chemical burn.

lechilka.com

Medicinal properties and - magazine "Rutvet"

Plant composition

Despite modern advances in pharmacology, many people prefer traditional medicine. Yes, with the help positive properties Colchicum, some people manage to get rid of many diseases.

Plant composition

While studying the issue of medicinal properties of colchicum Special attention attention should be paid to the composition of the substances found in this plant:

tannins;
aromatic acids;
lipids;
resins;
alkaloids;
kolkhamin.

You should be aware that the underground and above-ground parts of the colchicum are poisonous. But the seeds and bulbs of the plant pose the greatest threat. Consequently, all medicinal products made from this plant are partly poisonous. But, despite this, many colchicum tinctures, ointments and gels are still actively used for medical purposes.

Useful properties of colchicum in folk recipes

Thanks to beneficial properties Colchicum, it is often used in folk medicine. Very often you can hear about its use by rubbing it over the body to achieve the following goals:

To get rid of back and joint pain.
For rheumatic pains.
In the fight against arthritis and radiculitis.

Watch a video about what colchicum looks like.

Pain in the back and joints. Rubbing will help cope with such pain. To use this method, you need to finely chop the dry bulbs of the plant and pour vinegar over them. The ratio is calculated to be one to twelve, and leave to infuse for two weeks. In the future, use the infusion as a pain reliever, in particular, rub the sore area with one teaspoon of the infusion.

Rheumatic pains. To make an infusion that will help cope with this problem, you will need to pour crushed dry onions with 50% ethyl alcohol. Keep in mind that the proportion of alcohol to the plant should be 5 to 1. Leave it in this form for two weeks, preferably put it in a dark place.

Arthritis and radiculitis. To treat arthritis and radiculitis with colchicum herb, you will initially need to chop the onion. Then, take half a teaspoon of greens and pour 500 milliliters of boiling water over it. The liquid should be left for two hours, then carefully strain and squeeze out the remainder as necessary.

You should start using this product with a minimum dose, but over time you can increase it to 8 ml and use no more than five times a day. It is also appropriate to use this infusion of colchicum for gout. You should definitely drink this tincture with one glass of warm water without gas. It is worth noting that the way the colchicum blooms will not leave any passerby indifferent.

Medicinal ointments based on colchicum

Doctors call arthritis the real problem of our time, people are trying to fight this problem completely different ways. For one of the current methods, you need to take some colchicum herb and its bulbs, then carefully chop them and add two glasses of liquid. Then, this mixture must be placed in a water bath. The infusion should stand in a water bath for thirty minutes, then it should be removed and strained well. To make the mixture thicker, you can add Vaseline or a little butter.

The resulting plant-based product must be kept in closed conditions and at low temperatures to avoid the appearance of fungal formations. The ideal place for storage would be a regular household refrigerator.

We remind you of the decorative side of this plant; together, colchicum and crocus will look incomparable in any garden.

Contraindications to the use of colchicum

Today, a very pressing issue is the specific medicinal properties of colchicum and contraindications to the use of such a plant. There are a number of contraindications to the use of this drug, these include:

should not be taken for stomach bleeding;
in situations with intestinal bleeding;
during perforation, swelling in the bronchi;
during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
for problems with the hematopoietic function of the brain.

Read about the properties of bay leaves in folk medicine. And also about the medicinal properties of the verbena herb.

Thus, before using traditional medicine based on colchicum, do not forget that this plant is poisonous and, therefore, poses a serious health hazard if you use it incorrectly. Therefore, it is better not to experiment, but entrust your health to an experienced doctor.

If you are concerned about urolithiasis or cystitis, you can use the following recipe. So, you need to take half a teaspoon of chopped plant bulb and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over it. Then, the liquid must be boiled for fifteen minutes in a water bath. After this, the liquid must be cooled as much as possible and strained through cheesecloth, squeezing out the excess. Then you need to add again boiled water so that you have the original volume again. The finished product should be consumed ten drops three times a day.

Recipes based on colchicum seeds

In folk medicine, there are quite a few different recipes, which are based on colchicum seeds. But among the most effective are the following recipes:

tincture of seeds to relieve pain. To prepare it, you need to pour the plant seeds with 70% ethyl alcohol. The ratio of components should be one to ten. Next, the tincture should be put in a dark place for twenty days. The finished tincture can be used for external treatment, as a lotion on the site of pain. And also for internal use, 15 drops of infusion three times a day;
to prepare another type of tincture from colchicum seeds for pain, you will need to take half a glass of ethyl alcohol and add 10 grams of plant seeds. The liquid should be infused for three weeks. At the end of this time, it must be carefully filtered and subsequently consumed one drop at a time. If, several times after use, a person does not experience any extraneous side effects, then the dose of the infusion can be slightly increased.

To find information about why Colchicum is poisonous, it is best to study Additional materials.

Have you ever used the medicinal properties of colchicum? Leave your message in the comments, and also watch a video about one of the drugs based on Colchicum.

www.rutvet.ru

Colchicum herb - properties and uses, colchicum flower

Botanical trait of Colchicum

Colchicum - long-lasting herbaceous plant Liliaceae family. The trunk is bare, erect, small; in length is from 10 to 50 cm. The root is an oblong corm, can reach three to five cm in length, the bulb along its entire length is covered with dark brown scales (husk). The leaves are elongated-lanceolate or elliptical, large, naked. The flowers are solitary, bisexual, large, reaching 20–25 cm in length.

Depending on the type of colchicum, flowers can be colored from snow-white to purple. The fruit is a rhombic or three-locular elliptical box. Colchicum blooms in late summer or autumn (until mid-October). The specific difference of this plant is the fact that during the flowering period the leaves are not yet developed. Fruits and leaves appear exclusively next year in the spring (usually this happens immediately after the snow melts).

The seed ripening period is May-June. Immediately after the end of the seed ripening period, the aerial part of the crocus completely dies off. The natural distribution area of colchicum is the southwestern regions of the Krasnodar Territory, the Caucasus, India and the territory of Central Asia, the northern part of Africa, everywhere it grows throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The genus Colchicum includes more than 70 species, which differ from each other in the period of flowering and seeding.

Useful characteristics of colchicum

All parts of the crocus - aboveground and underground - are poisonous, but the bulb (root) and seeds are especially toxic. But we should not forget that most of the pharmaceutical plants used both in classical (as the main active ingredients in the manufacture of various pharmacological preparations) and in folk medicine are poisonous plants in their chemical composition.

Based on the positive dynamics that are observed when using healing infusions, tinctures, and ointments that contain colchicum, medicinal plant has found extensive use in folk medicine. The chemical composition of fireweed corms contains: heterocyclic alkaloids (colchicine, colchamine, colchicein), aromatic acids, sugars, flavonoids and glucoalcohols.

The chemical composition of colchicum seeds contains: alkaloids, resins, tannins, lipids and sugars. In folk medicine, infusion, tincture and ointment of crocus are used as analgesics (painkillers), antiemetics, diuretics and laxatives.

Uses of Colchicum

Before using any form of pharmaceutical product from colchicum, you should absolutely consult a doctor, because all parts of the pharmaceutical plant (and, of course, all its pharmaceutical forms) are poisonous and uncontrolled use, and an incorrectly selected dose of the pharmaceutical product can lead to a fatal outcome. .

Ointment and infusion of the pharmaceutical plant are used externally as an effective pain reliever for gout. arthritis, rheumatism and radiculitis.

A tincture from new tubers of the plant has an effective effect on edema and rheumatism. cystitis urolithiasis, also with a feeling of tightness (compression, pressure) in the chest.