What is Colchicum autumnale used for?
Nowadays, in addition to relieving inflammation in acute gout attacks, it is used to treat other inflammatory disorders including Behçet’s syndrome and the hereditary fever syndrome familial Mediterranean fever.
What is the common name of Colchicum autumnale?
autumn crocus
Colchicum autumnale, commonly called autumn crocus or meadow saffron, is a cormous perennial that typically blooms in early fall.
Where does Colchicum autumnale grow?
Native to Europe and North Africa, C. autumnale grows wild in woods and damp meadows and has been naturalized in some parts of the US and Canada. It is hardy in zones 5-9 (maybe colder if given extra winter protection) and blooms in September in the Midwest.
Does colchicine reduce uric acid?
Colchicine works by decreasing swelling and lessening the build up of uric acid crystals that cause pain in the affected joint(s). This medication is also used to prevent attacks of pain in the abdomen, chest, or joints caused by a certain inherited disease (familial Mediterranean fever).
Is Colchicum a crocus?
No wonder plant nerds use botanical names! When it comes to bulbs, the name “crocus” is often used to describe two unrelated plants: Colchicum, often called by the common name autumn crocus, is a Lily relative, while true Crocuses belong to the Iris family.
What drug is crocus?
Colchicine is known to most biologists as an inhibitor of cell division. The drug comes from crocus corms and seeds. Colchicine can be deadly if misused as there is no known antidote for colchicine poisoning.
Which part of Indian Colchicum is used as drug?
The bulb-like corms of C. autumnale contain colchicine, a useful drug with a narrow therapeutic index.
Which part of Colchicum is used as drug?
Colchicine is one of the oldest remedies still in use today. It is derived from the bulb-like corms of the Colchicum autumnale plant, also known as autumn crocus. Its history as an herbal remedy for joint pain goes back at least to the 1500 BCE Egyptian manuscript, the Ebers Papyrus (Figure 1).
Where does colchicum grow?
Grow colchicum bulbs purchased from the local garden center in late summer in well-drained soil in full to part sun. The sunnier the location for colchicums, the less likely they will flop over when flowering. Amend the soil well with compost. Plant bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep spaced 6 to 12 inches apart.
When can I transplant colchicum?
July and August – Dormancy. By July the plant has gone dormant. There is no visible sign above ground, and the roots have died off. This is the best time to move them and it would be the best time to buy new ones except that nurseries don’t sell them at this time of year.