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Colchicum

Useful properties and applications of Colchicum


Botanical characteristics of Colchicum

Colchicum is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Liliaceae. Stem glabrous, erect, low; the length is from 10 to 50 cm Root – corm oblong shape, the length can reach three to five cm, the bulb along its entire length covered with dark brown scales (chaff). Leaves oblong-lanceolate or elliptic, large, naked. Flowers solitary, bisexual, large, reach a length of 20-25 cm.

Depending on the type of Crocus flowers can be painted from white to purple hue. The fruit is oval or elliptic three-celled capsule. Colchicum blooms in late summer or fall (mid-October). Species difference of this plant is the fact that in the period of flowering the leaves have not developed. The fruit and leaves appear only next year in the spring (usually this occurs immediately after the snow melts).

The period of seed maturation may – June. Immediately after completion of the maturation period of seeds aerial part of Colchicum completely dies. Natural area of distribution of Colchicum – South-Western districts of the Krasnodar region, the Caucasus, India and the territory of Central Asia, North of Africa, and everywhere it grows throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The genus Colchicum includes more than 70 species, which differ in the flowering period and of contamination.


The beneficial properties of Colchicum

All the overground and underground parts of the Colchicum are poisonous, but especially toxicity of the different follicle (root) and seeds. But we should not forget that the majority of medicinal plants used in traditional (as the main active ingredients in the manufacture of various pharmaceutical preparations), and in folk medicine is the chemical composition of poisonous plants.

Based on the positive dynamics observed in the application of infusions, tinctures and ointments, which include Colchicum, a medicinal plant widely used in folk medicine. The chemical composition of the corms of fireweed contains alkaloids heterocyclic series (colchicine kolhamin, colchicin), aromatic acids, sugars, flavonoids and glycoalkaloids.

In the chemical composition of the seeds of Colchicum contain: alkaloids, resin, tannins, lipids and sugars. In folk medicine, infusion, tincture and ointment Colchicum used as an analgesic (painkillers), antiemetic, diuretic andlaxatives.


The use of Colchicum

Before applying any form of medications from Colchicum, it is compulsory to consult a doctor, as all parts of medicinal plants (and hence all formulations) are poisonous and uncontrolled use and improper dosage can lead to death.

Ointment and infusion of the medicinal plants applied topically as an effective analgesic for gout, arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica.

Tincture of the fresh tubers of the plant provides effective action for edema, rheumatism, cystitis, kidney stones, and when the tightness (compression pressure) in the chest.


Infusion of Colchicum

Half a teaspoon of fresh onion, pour 500 ml boiling water, leave for 2 hours, then filtered into a clean bowl. The application also should start with minimum dose, then it will be 7-8 ml up to six times a day. Infusion should drink 200 ml of warm aerated water.


Ointment Colchicum

300 g of the aerial and underground parts of the plant are finely cut and pour 500 ml of water, then put on a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. Then, the resulting infusion is filtered into a clean container and add vaseline/butter until the desired consistency of the ointment. Store the resulting ointment should be tightly closed containers in a cool place (10-15 degrees).


The grinding of Colchicum

Recipe No. 1. 1 part chopped dried tubers of plants pour 12 parts of vinegar. The resulting solution was infused for 14 days, after which used as analgesic.

Recipe № 2. 1 part of crushed roots of Colchicum pour five parts of 50% ethyl alcohol, insist in a dark place for 10-14 days, and then used as a rubbing in various rheumatic diseases.


Flower Colchicum

The Crocus flowers are solitary, large (reach a length of 20-25 cm), with six petals. A distinctive feature of flowers of this medicinal plant is the fact that they are bisexual. Depending on the type of Crocus flowers can be painted in different shades – from white to purple. Flowering plant in the period August to October inclusive.

In folk medicine, the flowers of Colchicum are used in the manufacture of anaesthetic ointments. Ointment is indicated for arthritis, radiculitis, gout and rheumatism.

Planting Crocus

Colchicum is a perennial herbaceous plant (does not require repotting for several years), it is absolutely undemanding to growing conditions. It does best in light (not thick), friable soils. Planting depth can vary from 10 to 20 cm (depth depends on the size of the bulb). The plant reproduces subsidiaries bulbs (capable of reproduction on their own).

If necessary, planting/Seating arrangement of plants this is best done in summer (the period of time when the above-ground part is fully fades). When working with Colchicum and care must carefully observe the rules of personal safety, since all parts of the plant (aerial and underground) toxic, which is why all the manipulation it is recommended to use gloves.


The bulb of the Colchicum

The bulb of the Colchicum is a large corm, which can reach a diameter of 4 cm throughout its area covered with onion husks (black – brown scales). Ends each bulb long neck, which in turn also covered with scales. In the spring, after a period of development of large leaves, the old bulb dies on her shift as a result of assimilation comes a new young onion.

Due to its unique chemical composition of the bulb of Colchicum found wide application in formulations of traditional medicine. Infusion, tincture and ointment, containing vegetable raw materials, have been successfully used as an analgesic, vasodilator and anti-inflammatory drugs.

The chemical composition of the bulbs of Colchicum contains such as alkaloids kolhamin and colchicine, which are used successfully in the treatment of a variety of cancers, including malignant tumors on the skin, breast, lung and gastrointestinal tract.


Tincture of Colchicum

Tincture of Colchicum has long been used in folk medicine as an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Tincture is used topically (directly on the area of localization of pain) and internally. However, before using medicinal tinctures, it is important to seek the advice of a doctor – tincture, as all other dosage forms plant, poisonous in large quantities and improper and unsupervised use can lead to death.

Recipe No. 1. 10 g fresh onion (can be exchanged for seeds plants) filled with 100 ml of 45% ethanol, and the resulting infusion is put in a dark place for 20 days. After this time the infusion is filtered and start taking Colchicum with 1 drop a day (if there is no development of side effects, the number of drops can be increased).

Recipe № 2. 1 part seeds pour 10 parts of 70% ethyl alcohol, then insist in a dark place within 14-20 days. The resulting tincture can be used orally (15-20 drops 3 times a day) and topically (directly on the area of localization of pain).


Colchicum speciosum

Colchicum speciosum is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Liliaceae. Stem short, glabrous, developing in the spring (by summer, the aboveground part of Colchicum speciosum completely dies). The root – corm large, covered over the whole area black-brown scales, the diameter is 4 cm Leaves large, glabrous, broadly oblong, as well as the stems develop in spring.

Flowers campanulate, large (reach a length of 5-7 cm), bisexual. Can be dyed from pale lilac to pink - purple hue. The fruit is quite large-seeded three-celled capsule up to 5 cm in length. The aboveground part of the plants completely die off in the summer time, blossoms in autumn (September-October). Fruits in June, immediately after which the aboveground part of the plant dies. In summer, the old bulb dies, thus forming a subsidiary of corm.

Natural habitat area of Colchicum speciosum – the territory of Western and Eastern Transcaucasia, the Caucasus and the greater Caucasus mountain range. Grows mainly on forest edges. In folk medicine widely used the underground part of medicinal raw materials – corm, which is harvested in the autumn (in flowering plants), for maximum extraction of alkaloids raw materials are processed into raw.

The chemical composition of the corms of Colchicum speciosum contains over 20 different alkaloids, but among this diversity of organic compounds, the most valuable are two types – kolhamin and colchicine. Besides, the chemical composition of medicinal raw materials rich in sugars, sterols and acids of the aromatic series.

In traditional medicine in the form of solid dosage forms (tablets) and ointments of Colchicum speciosum used in complex therapy in the treatment of cancer of the skin, papillomas of the respiratory tract, malignant tumors in the mammary glands and in the gastrointestinal tract.


Colchicum autumnale

Colchicum autumnale is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Liliaceae. Leaves broad, oblong, lanceolate, develop in the spring. The flowers are large, pink-lilac tint. The fruit is oblong-oval leathery capsule with a length of 3-5 cm Seed – rounded, numerous, colored in dark brown shade.

The time of flowering Colchicum autumnale – autumn period (September-October), fruiting in summer next year (June-July). Like most representatives of the species, the aboveground part of the Colchicum autumnale in the summer time completely dies. All parts of medicinal plants are very toxic, so applying them without consulting a doctor is extremely dangerous for the health of the patient.

In medicine used the underground part of the autumn Colchicum – corm, which is harvested in the autumn (flowering period). After of medicinal raw materials extracted from the earth, it is well washed under running water and cut into pieces (for maximum extraction of alkaloids).

The chemical composition of the corms of Colchicum autumnale contain two of the most valuable alkaloid kolhamin and colchicine, which are used in the treatment of treatment of cancer of the skin and as analgesic in gout, rheumatism and sciatica.


Colchicum Colchicum

Colchicum (Colchicum) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Liliaceae.

Fruit – celled capsule, the seeds small, numerous, rounded. Blooms Colchicum in the period from August to September. In medicine (traditional and folk) used the seeds and the underground part of medicinal plants. The corm and seeds, as well as other parts of Colchicum, toxic, so self-application of herbal extracts and ointments can have a very negative impact on the human body, including death.

In the chemical composition of corms Colchicum contain: alkaloids – colchicine and kalitzin, phytosterols, sugars and acids of the aromatic series. Thanks to its unique composition of medicinal tinctures and salves, which include plant, successfully applied in chronic leukemia, cancer of the skin, malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, gout, arthritis, osteoarthritis and sciatica.


Colchicum shadow

Colchicum shadow – a perennial herb of the Lily family. The leaves are large, linear, fleshy, leathery, narrowedto the base, reach a length of 10-15 cm, width 2-3 cm Root is a small corm which reaches a length of 3 cm, and the diameter – 2 cm Flowers are large, pale-purple or lilac shades.

Natural area of distribution of Colchicum shadow – territory of the Crimea. It grows mostly in forests, forest edges and clearings. A characteristic feature of Colchicum shadow, which distinguishes from other species of this genus, is the early growing season (April). Colchicum shadow is an endangered species and listed in the Red book. Based on this medical use of medicinal tinctures and ointments is unacceptable.

Contraindications of Colchicum

All plant parts of the Colchicum are poisonous, so the application of ointments, infusions and tinctures of the medicinal plants is carried out only after consultation with your doctor. Ointment, which includes Colchicum, is contraindicated in cancer of the skin III–IV degree.

All preparations of Colchicum is contraindicated for persons with pronounced inhibition of hematopoietic function of bone marrow, and also in diarrhoea and diabetes. Do not use children, pregnant women, women in lactation period.