Colchium is an annual herb with brownish fleshy underground stems. It is almost conical in shape, flattened one side and round on the other. The plant has very narrow laves broadening towards the tip, large yellow flowers and fruits with recurred tips.
The chief constituent of colchicum is the alkaloid, colchicines which occurs in the form of yellow flakes, crystals or as whitish yellow amorphous powder. Its odor resembles the hay when dampened and warmed.
Healing Power
It is a medicine of great repute in Afghanistan and northern India. The medicinal properties were well known even amongst the Arabs. Its corms and seeds are incorporates in the British Pharmacopoeia and allopathic medicine alludes it as a remedy for gout.
Gout
The active principle colchicines contained in the corms is useful in relieving pain and inflammation of gout. Clinical experiments with colchicum is small doses over a long period have shown success in about 60 per cent of patients. The seeds chiefly the rind also contains colchicine and may be used in the treatment of gout in the same manner as the corms.
Rheumatism
The drug is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatic swelling. A paste made with saffron and egg can be applied beneficially to rheumatic and other swellings.
Wounds
A dried and powdered root of the plant is useful in healing of wounds. It should be sprinkled on the affected area.
Precautions: it has a very bitter taste, and darkens on the exposure to light. It has similar action as colchicines but the latter is more active and toxic. When taken in large doses, colchicine causes intestinal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. The use of the drug can cause severe irritation in the intestines. To counteract this, it is advisable to use the drug with belladonna of hyoscyamus.
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