Poisonous plants of the Crimea. Colchicum is a dangerous handsome man

Lily family (Liliaceae). Perennial bulbous plants.

(Colchicum autumnale L.). The bulbs are large (up to 3 cm in diameter), covered with black-brown sheaths, rising upwards in the form of a tube along the flower stem; flower stem up to 15 cm high; flowers are pink or purple-pink; the fruit is a box.

Blooms in August-September without the formation of leaves. The following spring, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate leaves develop, including 3-4, among them there is a large seed box.

Distributed in the west and southwest of the European part of Russia. Grows in wet meadows.

Colchicum shady (C. umbrosum Stev.). Bulb 1.5-2 cm in diameter, covered with blackish, membranous sheaths, stem height (when flowering) 10-15 cm; leaves including 3-5, lanceolate; flowers are small, lilac or pale purple, appear in autumn; the fruit is an elongated (up to 4 cm) box.

It grows in the Crimea, the Caucasus, in the foothills, on the mountain slopes, in the mountains, at the level of the subalpine and forest zones.

Colchicum cheerful (C. laetum Stev.). The bulb is large (up to 3 cm in diameter), the sheaths are leathery, black-brown; flowers light purple; the fruit is an ovoid capsule. Blooms in autumn, leaves and boll appear next spring.

Distributed in the south, southeast of the European part of Russia, in the steppe Ciscaucasia. Grows in meadows, steppes.

Colchicum splendid (C. speciosum Stev). The bulb is large (up to 5 cm in diameter); stem from spring leafy, 20-60 cm high; leaves are broadly oblong, 18-25 cm long, the lower ones are larger, covering the stem; flowers are large, pinkish-purple or violet, ripen in autumn; the fruit is an elliptical capsule.

Distributed in the meadows of Ciscaucasia, in the subalpine meadows of the Caucasus.

Toxic substances and their action

The active ingredients of colchicum are alkaloids: autumn colchicum - colchicine C 22 H 25 NO 6 (1819), colchamine C 21 H 25 NO 5 (V. V. Kiselev, G. P. Menshikov, A. A. Beer, 1952) and seven new alkaloids of yet unknown composition; Colchicum splendid - colchicine, colchicerin C 22 H 25 NO 6 (A. A. Beer, 1949), speciosin C 28 H 31 NO 6, colchamine. The amount of alkaloids in seeds can reach up to 1% or more; less - in tubers and flowers, and only less in leaves. Colchicums contain a certain amount of saponin substances.

Colchicine is a capillary poison; it causes severe circulatory disorders, in particular severe hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, causing an increase in its excitability and violent peristaltic bowel movements (cholera-like diarrhea). A laxative effect occurs in animals at doses of 0.25 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Colchicine also affects the kidneys, causing polyuria, albuminuria, hematuria, even anuria; paralyzes the central nervous system, causing death from respiratory paralysis. External clinical manifestations in colchicine poisoning do not occur immediately, but after a few hours, since they are, apparently, the result of the action of colchicine conversion products in the animal body (to dioxycolchicine).

Toxicological significance

Despite the great toxicity of colchicum, practical value its as a poisonous plant in Russia is small. Poisoning farm animals with it was very common in Germany, Switzerland, Hungary. They were observed in horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and even birds. Poisoning occurs after feeding animals with hay (horses) or mowed grass with an admixture of colchicum, grazing on herbage littered with colchicum (cattle), as a result of careless throwing out of plants when removing them from meadows and pastures, using colchicum as bedding, or even feeding animals with it .

Colchicum venom is excreted in milk. The harmful effect of such milk is noted not only for calves, but also for humans. Due to the excretion of a significant part of the poison with milk, it is believed that the effect of Colchicum is more pronounced on dry animals than on lactating animals.

Clinical picture

The first signs of poisoning appear after more or less long term(6-24 and even 48 hours) from the moment of feeding.

Poisoning is usually severe, The sick animal loses its appetite, salivation, vomiting (in pigs), difficulty swallowing, colic, increased intestinal motility, diarrhea, especially in cattle and pigs, with the release of foul-smelling, watery feces mixed with mucus, often with blood. At the same time, frequent excretion of urine, in severe cases bloody, trembling, anxiety, a decrease or complete cessation of rumination in ruminants, bloating and cessation of lactation are noted; muscle weakness develops, impaired breathing and especially heart activity (weak, frequent pulse, reaching up to 80-100 beats per minute in a horse). General form animals at this time is extremely painful, their hair is disheveled, the back is bent, the stomach is tucked up, the eyelids are inflamed. Later, sensitivity to external influences is weakened or completely lost; the surface of the body becomes cold. The duration of illness in lethal cases is from one to three days. Recovery is slow, prolonged, up to 6-8 days. Mortality reaches 30% in horses, 21.7% in cattle, and 50% in pigs.

Pathological changes

Autopsy data correspond to the clinical manifestations of poisoning. The mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines is highly inflamed and has a large number of hemorrhages. These changes in severe cases can be hemorrhagic in nature, especially in the large intestine, the mucosa of which is highly edematous, glassy swollen, with a mass of small or continuous hemorrhages. The contents of the intestine are often blood-stained. Hemorrhages are present on the mucous membranes and serous membranes of other organs. The kidneys and brain are strongly hyperemic and also have hemorrhages. The heart muscle is changed.

Diagnosis

To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of the previous animal housing and the results of a botanical examination of the feed or grass stand. Detection of colchicine chemical reaction based on the formation of a yellow color when concentrated sulfuric acid is added to the pathological material or a blue color when a mixture of sulfuric and nitric acids is added.

Colchicum - perennial herbaceous plant lily family. Stem glabrous, erect, low; in length is from 10 to 50 cm. The root is an oblong corm, it can reach three to five cm in length, the bulb is covered with dark brown scales (husk) along its entire length. Leaves oblong-lanceolate or elliptical, large, glabrous. Flowers solitary, bisexual, large, 20–25 cm long.

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

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

Useful properties of colchicum

All - aboveground and underground - parts of the colchicum are poisonous, but the bulb (root) and seeds are especially toxic. However, one should not forget that most of medicinal plants used both in traditional (as the main active ingredients in the manufacture of various pharmacological preparations) and in folk medicine are poisonous plants in terms of chemical composition.

Based on the positive dynamics that can be traced when using medicinal infusions, tinctures, as well as ointments, which include Colchicum, treatment plant found wide application in folk medicine. IN chemical composition fireweed corms contain: alkaloids of the heterocyclic series (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 Colchicum are used as analgesics (painkillers), antiemetics, diuretics and laxatives.

The use of colchicum

Before using any form of colchicum medicine in without fail you should consult a doctor, since all parts of the medicinal plant (and therefore all its dosage forms) are poisonous and uncontrolled intake, as well as an incorrect dosage medicinal product may lead to death.

Ointment and infusion of a medicinal plant are used externally as an effective pain reliever for gout, arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica.

A tincture of fresh tubers of the plant has an effective effect on edema, rheumatism, cystitis, urolithiasis, as well as a feeling of tightness (compression, pressure) in the chest.

Colchicum infusion

Half a teaspoon of a fresh onion is poured into 500 ml of boiling water, left for 2 hours, and then filtered into clean dishes. The application should also be started with a minimum dose, subsequently it can be 7-8 ml up to six times a day. The infusion should be washed down with 200 ml of warm non-carbonated water.

Colchicum ointment

300 g of the aboveground and underground parts of the plant are finely chopped and poured with 500 ml of water, after which they are put on a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. Then the resulting infusion is filtered into a clean container and vaseline / butter is added until the desired consistency of the ointment is obtained. Store the resulting ointment in a tightly closed container in a cool place (10-15 degrees).

Colchicum rubbing

Recipe number 1. 1 part of the crushed dry tubers of the plant is poured with 12 parts of vinegar. The resulting solution is infused for 14 days, after which it is used as an anesthetic.

Recipe No. 2. 1 part of crushed colchicum roots is poured with five parts of 50% ethyl alcohol, infused in a dark place for 10-14 days, after which it is used as a rub for various rheumatic diseases.

Colchicum flower

Colchicum flowers are solitary, large (up to 20–25 cm long), with six petals. A distinctive characteristic of the flowers of this medicinal plant is the fact that they are bisexual. Depending on the type of colchicum, flowers can be colored in different shades- from white to purple. The plant blooms from August to October inclusive.

In folk medicine, colchicum flowers are used in the manufacture of anesthetic ointment. The use of the ointment is indicated for arthritis, radiculitis, gout and rheumatism.

Colchicum planting

Colchicum is a perennial herbaceous plant (does not require transplantation for several years), absolutely unpretentious to growing conditions. Feels best on light (not dense), loose soils. Planting depth can vary from 10 to 20 cm (the depth directly depends on the size of the bulb). The plant reproduces by daughter bulbs (capable of reproduction on its own).

If it is necessary to plant / seat a plant, it is best to do this in summer period(in that period of time when the aerial part completely fades). When working with colchicum and caring for it, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal safety with particular care, since all parts of the plant (aboveground and underground) are poisonous, which is why it is recommended to carry out all manipulations with gloves.

Colchicum bulb

Colchicum bulb is a large corm, which can reach a diameter of 4 cm. Throughout its area, the bulb is covered with husks (black - brown scales). Each bulb ends with a long neck, which, in turn, is also covered with scales. In the spring, after a period of development of large leaves, the old bulb dies off and is replaced by a new young bulb as a result of assimilation.

Due to its unique chemical composition, the colchicum bulb has found wide application in traditional medicine recipes. Infusion, tincture and ointments, which include plant materials, are successfully used as an anesthetic, vasodilator and anti-inflammatory agent.

The chemical composition of the colchicum bulb contains such alkaloids as colhamine and colchicine, which are successfully used in the treatment of a number of oncological diseases, including malignant neoplasms on the skin, in the chest, in the lungs and in gastrointestinal tract.

Colchicum tincture

Colchicum tincture has long been used in folk medicine as an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The tincture is applied locally (directly to the area of ​​pain localization) and internally. However, before starting to use a medicinal tincture, it is important to seek the advice of a doctor - the tincture, like all other medicinal forms of the plant, is poisonous in large quantities and its improper and uncontrolled use can be fatal.

Recipe No. 1. 10 g of fresh onion (can be exchanged for plant seeds) is poured with 100 ml of 45% ethyl alcohol, after which the resulting infusion is placed in a dark place for 20 days. After this period, the infusion is filtered and colchicum is started with 1 drop per day (if there is no development side effects, the number of drops can be increased).

Recipe number 2. 1 part of the seeds is poured with 10 parts of 70% ethyl alcohol, then infused in a dark place for 14–20 days. The resulting tincture can be used both inside (15-20 drops 3 times a day) and externally (directly on the area of ​​pain localization).

Colchicum splendid

Colchicum splendid is a perennial herbaceous plant of the lily family. The stem is short, bare, develops in the spring (by summer, the aerial part of the magnificent colchicum dies off completely). The root is a large corm, covered over the entire area with black-brown scales, reaching 4 cm in diameter. The leaves are large, bare, broadly oblong in shape, as well as the stem, develop in the spring season.

Flowers are bell-shaped, large (up to 5–7 cm long), bisexual. They can be colored from pale lilac to pink-purple. The fruit is a fairly large three-celled multi-seeded pod up to 5 cm in length. The aerial part of the plant dies off completely in the summer, blooms in autumn (September-October). It bears fruit in June, immediately after which the aerial part of the plant dies off. In the summer, the old bulb dies off, and a daughter corm is formed.

The natural habitat of the magnificent colchicum is the territory of Western and Eastern Transcaucasia, Ciscaucasia and the Main Caucasian Range. It grows mainly on forest edges. In folk medicine, the underground part of medicinal raw materials - corms, which are harvested in the autumn (during the flowering period of the plant), has found wide application, for maximum extraction of alkaloids, the raw materials are processed raw.

The chemical composition of the corms of Colchicum splendid contains over 20 different alkaloids, however, among this diversity organic compounds, the most valuable are two types - colchamine and colchicine. In addition, the chemical composition of medicinal raw materials is rich in sugars, sterols and aromatic acids.

In traditional medicine in the form of solid dosage forms(tablets) and ointments Colchicum splendid is used in complex therapy in the treatment of oncological diseases of the skin, papillomas of the respiratory tract, malignant neoplasms in the mammary glands and in the gastrointestinal tract.

Colchicum autumn

Colchicum autumn is a perennial herbaceous plant of the lily family. The leaves are wide, elongated, lanceolate in shape, develop in the spring. The flowers are large, painted in a pink-lilac hue. The fruit is an oblong-oval leathery capsule 3–5 cm long. Seeds are round, numerous, dark brown in color.

The flowering time of the autumn colchicum is the autumn period (September-October), it bears fruit in the summer period of the next year (June-July). Like most species representatives, the aerial part of the autumn colchicum in the summer completely dies off. All parts of the medicinal plant are very poisonous, so using them without consulting a doctor is extremely dangerous for the patient's health.

In medicine, the underground part of the autumn colchicum is used - the corm, which is harvested in the autumn period (the flowering period). After the medicinal raw material is removed from the ground, it is well washed under running water and cut into pieces (for maximum extraction of alkaloids).

The chemical composition of autumn colchicum corm contains two most valuable alkaloids - colchicine and colchamine, which are used in complex therapy for the treatment of oncological diseases of the skin and as an anesthetic for gout, rheumatism and sciatica.

Colchicum Colchicum

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

The fruit is a three-celled capsule, the seeds are small, numerous, rounded. Colchicum blooms from August to September inclusive. In medicine (traditional and folk), the seeds and the underground part of the medicinal plant are used. The corm and seeds, like the rest of the colchicum, are poisonous, so the independent use of medicinal infusions and ointments can be extremely negative impact on the human body, up to death.

The chemical composition of colchicum corms contains: alkaloids - colchicine and calchicein, phytosterols, sugars and aromatic acids. Due to its unique composition, healing infusions and ointments, which include the plant, are successfully used for chronic leukemia, skin cancer, malignant neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract, gout, arthritis, arthrosis and sciatica.

Colchicum shady

Colchicum shady is a perennial herbaceous plant of the lily family. The leaves are large, linear, fleshy, leathery, narrowed towards the base, reach a length of 10–15 cm, a width of 2–3 cm. The root is a small corm that reaches a length of 3 cm and a diameter of 2 cm. Flowers large, painted in pale purple or lilac shades.

Autumn colchicum Autumn colchicum (or autumn colchicum, lat. Colchicum autumnale) - perennial herbaceous bulbous poisonous plant, family Colchicum. Popular names: timeless flower, autumn winter hut, autumn crocus, osnyak, autumn plant, wild saffron, meadow saffron, autumn color, wintering, spider flower, lice flower, dog onion, dog death, pesoboi, devil's bread, poisonous crocus. Russian name Colchicum is associated with the peculiarity of many species to bloom in late autumn. And in the Middle Ages in Latin he was called “Filius ante patrem”, which means “son before father”. The name "colchicum" plants of this genus, obviously, received for a special rhythm of development - in the spring they have leaves that die off by the beginning of summer, and fruits, and they usually bloom in autumn, before the first snow.

Colchicum (colchicum) was described in the ancient Egyptian papyrus Ebers. It was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. According to Dioscorides, most of the plants of this genus originate from the Black Sea coast in Colchis, hence the Greek name Kolchikon, in the Latinized version Colchicum, which means "a native of Colchis", the specific name autumnalis is translated from lat. means "autumn" and indicates the time of flowering.

Colchicum is also involved in the success of the mission of Jason, the leader of the Argonauts. In order to receive the Golden Fleece from the Colchis king Eeta, Jason had to harness two fire-breathing bulls created by Hephaestus, plow the field dedicated to Ares and sow it with dragon teeth donated to Eeta by Athena. Medea, the daughter of Eet, who fell in love with Jason, gave him a magic potion - the juice of autumn colchicum roots (meadow saffron), which grew from the blood of Prometheus chained to a rock. Jason, having washed his body, shield and sword with the colchicum juice received from Medea, successfully coped with the task.

The ancient Greeks believed that in Colchis there is a garden of the goddess Hecate, where poisonous plants grow - hemlock, henbane, hemlock and colchicum. The garden, according to legend, was surrounded by a high wall, the gate was guarded huge dogs with burning eyes. Medea, according to the legends, was a priestess (and according to some versions, a daughter) of Hecate and had access to her garden. Medea owes her reputation as a sorceress, among other things, to the colchicum and the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhim as a magical flower.

perennial bulbous medicinal plant, very poisonous, ephemeroid. Corms are oblong (3-4 cm in diameter, up to 7 cm long), convex on one side, almost flat on the other, covered with dark brown membranous membranes, elongated from above into a long neck.

The leaves are large (2-4 cm wide, 25-40 cm long), erect, 3-4 pieces, green, glossy, broadly lanceolate, naked, fleshy, twisted into a low rosette on a false stem, appear in spring. By the end of spring, the leaves wither and fall off. In summer, the colchicum is in a state of vegetative dormancy. The stem is short (10-30 cm), glabrous, erect, surrounded by old brown leaves.

The plant blooms in autumn, from September to October (or even to November), has no leaves during flowering. Flowers - 1-3 in number - large, funnel-bell-shaped, regular, 6-petalled, bisexual, pinkish-lilac, similar to saffron flowers. Stamens 6, 3 columns, equal in length to stamens, pistil with a three-celled upper ovary.

The fruit of autumn colchicum is an ovoid-oblong (3-5 cm long), pointed, three-celled, leathery multi-seeded box - green at first, but when mature Brown color, appears in spring with leaves. It opens up to the middle along the partitions. Seeds are round, 2.5 mm in diameter, dark brown, small. They ripen in a box the next year after flowering (in June - July).

Application

In medicine

Autumn colchicum preparations are used by official medicine as a cure for leukemia, asthma, post-infectious nephritis and cancerous tumors. They are also used to treat lumbago, rheumatism, gout. They have some diuretic effect.

Colchamine, contained in autumn crocus, is a potent antiblastic agent, exhibits anticancer properties and is used for exophytic and endophytic forms of skin cancer of stages I-II (0.5% colchamine (omain) ointment), as well as for leukemia, blood diseases, cancer of the stomach (in combination with sarcolysin) or esophagus, in cases not subject to surgical treatment.

In chronic myeloma leukemia, colchamine is prescribed intravenously or orally: it causes a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood, lymph nodes, spleen and gives more or less long-term remission. Less effective is the treatment of relapses with kolhamin.

Colchicine, derived from the plant, is used to treat gout. In Greece, Germany, France and Indonesia, autumn colchicum (autumn colchicum) is cultivated as a medicinal raw material.

Autumn colchicum treatment

Colchicum autumn is used in official medicine and homeopathy, the extract of its seeds is the main component of the anti-gout tablets Colchicum-dispert.

In case of exophytic and endophytic forms of skin cancer of stage I-II, kolhamin (Omain) ointment (0.5%) is used, which causes the disintegration of tumor tissue. The affected area of ​​the skin is smeared with ointment, applying it 1-1.5 g each. with a spatula. The ointment, especially in combination with hyaluronidase, easily penetrates into the skin of the body and mucous membranes and has in relation to cancer cells selective action, practically without disturbing the structure of normal tissues. By the end of treatment, tissue epithelialization takes place with a good cosmetic effect. More effective skin cancer treatment initial stages, without any prior intervention. In case of an overdose of the drug, local or general phenomena of intoxication (poisoning) may occur.

To speed up the treatment, it is recommended to add hyaluronidase (lidase), ephedrine (or methasone) and butadion to kolhamin ointment.

Ointment based on alcohol tincture of autumn colchicum seeds or bulbs. 10 gr. bulbs or colchicum seeds pour 100 ml. vodka, kept for 20 days, filtered. Applied externally as rubbing with deforming polyarthritis, gout and rheumatism, neuralgia. 2-3 drops of tincture are mixed with 1 table. l. rendered pork fat or butter, rub sore spots 1 time per day. You can not increase the dose of tincture or the number of rubbing to prevent overdose and poisoning. Be sure to consult your doctor before use.

Contraindications

ALL PARTS OF THE PLANT ARE EXTREMELY POISONOUS, especially the bulbs and seeds. For this reason, any preparations of colchicum can be used only on the recommendation and under the supervision of a doctor. Ingestion of the juice of a plant can have serious consequences for human health, up to a fatal outcome. Poisonous is even the water in which the colchicum flowers stood.

Flower growers must work with gloves, as the juice of damaged plant bulbs is extremely toxic. 6 gr. autumn colchicum seeds contain a dose of alkaloids that is lethal for an adult. For a child, a lethal dose is 1.5-2 grams. seeds.

Colchicum-dispert ointment (made on the basis of colchicum alkaloids) is contraindicated in skin cancer III-IV degree.

Colchicum preparations are contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, children under 12 years of age, people with severe inhibition of the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow.

Colchicum poisoning. Symptoms

The main symptoms of colchicum poisoning are: nausea, vomiting, acute pain in the abdomen, bloody or watery diarrhea, burning sensation in the throat, tenesmus, weak arrhythmic pulse, lowering blood pressure, oliguria. There may be a weakening of muscle tone or convulsions, weakening of breathing (up to paralysis), first a strong increase, and then a decrease in body temperature, delirium, loss of consciousness, impaired blood composition. Poisoning develops rather slowly, after 2-6 hours.

First aid for colchicum poisoning

As a first aid for poisoning with autumn colchicum, appoint Activated carbon(2-3 tablespoons with 0.5 liters of water), and then gastric lavage with a 0.1% solution of potassium permanganate. Need to call ambulance- It is important to deliver the victim to the hospital as soon as possible.

Plentiful drinking of water, milk, tea is shown. In the future, the introduction of an isotonic solution of sodium chloride (up to 1 liter subcutaneously, drip), glucose (5% solution subcutaneously or 10 ml. 20-40% solution intravenously). In case of respiratory failure with cyanosis, oxygen is prescribed.

Other uses

Cultivated as ornamental plant, notable for late flowering, when there is almost no left in parks and gardens flowering plants. The plant is very beautiful. However, if there are children in the family, it is better to refrain from planting it, as there is a high risk of poisoning.

DESCRIPTION: the genus includes about 70 species of bulbous perennials distributed in Europe, North Africa, Western and Central Asia. Plants usually develop large, elongate-lanceolate leaves in early spring, which die back by early summer.

Flowering occurs mainly in autumn, only single funnel-shaped flowers of various colors rise from the ground. Colchicum flowers reach 20 cm in height, if we count the perianth fused into a narrow tube, most of which is in the ground. The fruit is a low-lying three-celled capsule with round seeds.

The main advantage of autumn colchicum, unpretentiousness in flowering, makes it a welcome guest in autumn flower arrangements. Plants are beautiful in group plantings along paths, borders, around ponds, on lawns, on Alpine rollercoaster, in rocky gardens. On terraces and balconies, its fragile beauty is especially charming.

It is enough just to plant the corms in a suitable container, in sand, expanded clay or gravel. Flowers of bezvernika look very beautiful in small terracotta pots or in glass vessels, where their corms are visible.

They perfectly frame the flower bed and look good in the light shade of the bushes. Do not forget that leaves will appear in place of flowers in spring. At the beginning of summer, they will wither, and therefore it is good if they are covered by perennials planted nearby. Colchicum flowers are also suitable for cutting - they stand in a vase for a long time.

It is important to know that colchicum is poisonous!
Colchicum bulbs are poisonous, so the people also call it pesoba and dog death.
Their toxicity is determined by alkaloids, primarily colchicine.

Already Dioscorides drew attention to the fact that these are extremely poisonous plants. Damaged corms release the alkaloid colchicine, which can cause burns on the hands. But not only the corm, but also elevated organs contain various alkaloids. Poisoning can be very strong: after a few hours, there is a burning sensation in the throat, dizziness and nausea, which can later turn into colic, paralysis and collapse. Since all parts of the plant, and even the water in which the flowers stood, are poisonous, colchicum should be handled with care and work with gloves.

(or autumn colchicum, lat. Colchicum autumnale) is a perennial herbaceous bulbous poisonous plant, Colchicum family. Popular names: timeless flower, autumn winter hut, autumn crocus, osnyak, autumn plant, wild saffron, meadow saffron, autumn color, wintering, spider flower, lice flower, dog onion, dog death, pesoboi, devil's bread, poisonous crocus. The name "colchicum" plants of this genus, obviously, received for a special rhythm of development - in the spring they have leaves that die off by the beginning of summer, and fruits, and they usually bloom in autumn, before the first snow.

Colchicum (colchicum) was described in the ancient Egyptian papyrus Ebers. It was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. According to Dioscorides, most of the plants of this genus originate from the Black Sea coast in Colchis, hence the Greek name Kolchikon, in the Latinized version Colchicum, which means "a native of Colchis", the specific name autumnalis is translated from lat. means "autumn" and indicates the time of flowering.

Colchicum is also involved in the success of the mission of Jason, the leader of the Argonauts. In order to receive the Golden Fleece from the Colchis king Eeta, Jason had to harness two fire-breathing bulls created by Hephaestus, plow the field dedicated to Ares and sow it with dragon teeth donated to Eeta by Athena. Medea, the daughter of Eet, who fell in love with Jason, gave him a magic potion - the juice of autumn colchicum roots (meadow saffron), which grew from the blood of Prometheus chained to a rock. Jason, having washed his body, shield and sword with the colchicum juice received from Medea, successfully coped with the task.

The ancient Greeks believed that in Colchis there is a garden of the goddess Hecate, where poisonous plants grow - hemlock, henbane, hemlock and colchicum. The garden, according to the legends, was surrounded by a high wall, the gates were guarded by huge dogs with burning eyes. Medea, according to the legends, was a priestess (and according to some versions, a daughter) of Hecate and had access to her garden. Medea owes her reputation as a sorceress, among other things, to the colchicum and the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhim as a magical flower.

In fact, colchicums in ancient times were little used in medicinal practice due to their strong toxicity, later they long time were not used for medical purposes and were forgotten. In the Middle Ages, under the influence of emerging translations scientific papers Arab doctors (including Ibn Sina) colchicum again began to be used in Europe as a medicine. Since the middle of the 16th century, plant preparations have been recommended for external use. Colchicum at that time was part of many medicines (for lumbago, asthma, rheumatism, dropsy), the exact composition of which was kept secret. One such remedy was "Gooseon's water" - a liquid that was used to treat rheumatism and gout; its main component was an infusion of colchicum seeds on wine. Ancient herbariums, however, warned that colchicums are extremely poisonous, and use them for internal use it is forbidden.

Over time, the plant began to be used less frequently due to the instability of the content of toxic substances in it (mainly in the corms) (which could depend on the place of growth, the age of the plant, etc.), which made it impossible to accurately dose the drugs, and this is extremely dangerous given the high toxicity. Also, due to the presence a large number side effects. In 1820, French chemists P.Zh. Pelletier and J.B. Kavanta was found to contain colchicine in colchicine, mistakenly believing that it was veratrin. In 1833 P.L. Geiger isolated this substance in crystalline form, calling it colchicine. In 1820, the English physician Williams suggested that instead of colchicum corms (due to the instability of the content of colchicine in them), its seeds should be used for medicinal purposes.

Description

Perennial corm medicinal plant, very poisonous, ephemeroid. Corms are oblong (3-4 cm in diameter, up to 7 cm long), convex on one side, almost flat on the other, covered with dark brown membranous membranes, elongated from above into a long neck.

The leaves are large (2-4 cm wide, 25-40 cm long), erect, 3-4 pieces, green, glossy, broadly lanceolate, naked, fleshy, twisted into a low rosette on a false stem, appear in spring. By the end of spring, the leaves wither and fall off. In summer, the colchicum is in a state of vegetative dormancy. The stem is short (10-30 cm), glabrous, erect, surrounded by old brown leaves.

The plant blooms in autumn, from September to October (or even to November), has no leaves during flowering. Flowers - 1-3 in number - large, funnel-bell-shaped, regular, 6-petalled, bisexual, pinkish-lilac, similar to saffron flowers. Stamens 6, 3 columns, equal in length to stamens, pistil with a three-celled upper ovary.

The fruit of the autumn colchicum is an ovate-oblong (3-5 cm long), pointed, three-celled, leathery multi-seeded box - green at first, and brown when mature, appears in spring with leaves. It opens up to the middle along the partitions. Seeds are round, 2.5 mm in diameter, dark brown, small. They ripen in a box the next year after flowering (in June - July).

Colchicum grows in damp meadows, forest edges and clearings, among shrubs, along rivers and streams in most parts of Europe (except Scandinavia); found in southern and western Russia, in the Carpathians and Western Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Caucasus and the Middle East, North America, Central Asia. Prefers sunny places or scattered shade and loamy, nutritious, moderately alkaline, moist (but not waterlogged) soil. Frost-resistant, unpretentious.

Autumn colchicum propagates with freshly harvested seeds and daughter bulbs (1-3 per nest) in July-August (after the leaves dry and before the buds appear). plant him better in spring. It is undesirable to keep in one place for more than 6 years due to severe depletion of the soil.

Procurement of medicinal raw materials

In connection with the EXTREME POXICITY of autumn colchicum, it is currently used mainly for treatment. pharmaceutical preparations plants.

For therapeutic purposes, corms are used, harvested in the fall, before flowering (September - early October). They are freed from the roots and aerial parts, cleaned from the ground and used in dried (cut into pieces and dried) or fresh. Colchicum corms should not be washed, as this reduces the quality of raw materials.

Flowers and seeds of autumn colchicum are also used. Seeds are harvested in the period of full maturity - boxes with them are cut in June-July, after acquiring a brown color. The boxes are dried, then the seeds are removed from them and dried again. Raw colchicum is dried in a warm place (at t up to 40º) or in the sun, spread out in one layer. Shelf life fresh bulbs- 3 months, and dry seeds and flowers - 12 months.

Since all parts of the plant are poisonous, raw materials must be stored in tightly closed signed containers. glass jars separately from other supplies and out of the reach of children in a dark place. Raw materials are not sold in pharmacies.

When harvesting and storing medicinal raw materials of autumn colchicum, as well as when working with it in the garden, care should be taken, work exclusively with gloves, do not instruct children.

Beneficial features

Alkaloids (colchicine (in flowers - 0.8, in corms - 0.25%, in seeds - 1.2%) and colchamine, colchicerin, specosamine) were found in all parts of the autumn crocus.

Organic aromatic acids, phytosterols, flavone apigenin and carbohydrates were found in the corms of the plant, the seeds contain fat, carbohydrates, tannins and resins, macro- (K, Mg, Ca, Fe) and microelements (Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Co, Al, V, Se, Sr, Ni, Pb, B).

Application

In medicine

Autumn colchicum preparations are used by official medicine as a cure for leukemia, asthma, post-infectious nephritis and cancerous tumors. They are also used to treat lumbago, rheumatism,. They have some diuretic effect.

Colchamine, contained in autumn crocus, is a potent antiblastic agent, exhibits anticancer properties and is used for exophytic and endophytic forms of stages I-II (0.5% colchamine (omain) ointment), as well as for leukemia, blood diseases, stomach cancer (in combination with sarcolysin) or the esophagus, in cases not subject to surgical treatment.

In chronic myeloma leukemia, colchamine is prescribed intravenously or orally: it causes a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood, lymph nodes, spleen and gives more or less long-term remissions. Less effective is the treatment of relapses with kolhamin.

Colchicine, derived from the plant, is used to treat gout. In Greece, Germany, France and Indonesia, autumn colchicum (autumn colchicum) is cultivated as a medicinal raw material.

Other uses

It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, notable for its late flowering, when there are almost no flowering plants left in parks and gardens. The plant is very beautiful. However, if there are children in the family, it is better to refrain from planting it, as there is a high risk of poisoning.

There have been cases of people being poisoned by the milk of cows and goats that have eaten given plant. Colchicine, isolated from autumn colchicum, is used in plant breeding.

Autumn colchicum treatment

Colchicum autumn is used in official medicine and homeopathy, its seed extract is the main component of anti-gout pills. Kolhikum-dispert.

In case of exophytic and endophytic forms of skin cancer of stage I-II, kolhamin (Omain) ointment (0.5%) is used, which causes the disintegration of tumor tissue. The affected area of ​​the skin is smeared with ointment, applying it 1-1.5 g each. with a spatula. The ointment, especially in combination with hyaluronidase, easily penetrates into the skin of the body and mucous membranes and has a selective effect on cancer cells, practically without disturbing the structure of normal tissues. By the end of treatment, tissue epithelialization takes place with a good cosmetic effect. The treatment of skin cancer of the initial stages is more effective, without any preliminary effects. In case of an overdose of the drug, local or general phenomena of intoxication (poisoning) may occur.

To speed up the treatment, it is recommended to add hyaluronidase (lidase), ephedrine (or methasone) and butadion to kolhamin ointment.

Ointment based on alcohol tincture of autumn colchicum seeds or bulbs. 10 gr. bulbs or colchicum seeds pour 100 ml. vodka, kept for 20 days, filtered. Used externally as a rub with deforming polyarthritis, gout and rheumatism, neuralgia. 2-3 drops of tincture are mixed with 1 table. l. melted pork fat or butter, rub sore spots 1 time per day. You can not increase the dose of tincture or the number of rubbing to prevent overdose and poisoning. Be sure to consult your doctor before use.

Contraindications

ALL PARTS OF THE PLANT ARE EXTREMELY POISONOUS, especially the bulbs and seeds. For this reason, any preparations of colchicum can be used only on the recommendation and under the supervision of a doctor. Ingestion of the juice of a plant can have serious consequences for human health, up to a fatal outcome. Poisonous is even the water in which the colchicum flowers stood.

Flower growers must work with gloves, as the juice of damaged plant bulbs is extremely toxic. 6 gr. autumn colchicum seeds contain a dose of alkaloids that is lethal for an adult. For a child, a lethal dose is 1.5-2 grams. seeds.

Colchicum-dispert ointment (made on the basis of colchicum alkaloids) is contraindicated in skin cancer III-IV degree.

Colchicum preparations are contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, children under 12 years of age, people with severe inhibition of the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow.

Colchicum poisoning. Symptoms

The main symptoms of Colchicum poisoning are: nausea, vomiting, acute abdominal pain, bloody or watery diarrhea, burning sensation in the throat, tenesmus, weak arrhythmic pulse, low blood pressure, oliguria. There may be a weakening of muscle tone or convulsions, weakening of breathing (up to paralysis), first a strong increase, and then a decrease in body temperature, delirium, loss of consciousness, impaired blood composition. Poisoning develops rather slowly, after 2-6 hours.

First aid for colchicum poisoning

As a first aid for poisoning with autumn colchicum, activated charcoal is prescribed (2-3 tablespoons with 0.5 liters of water), and then gastric lavage with a 0.1% solution of potassium permanganate. It is necessary to call an ambulance - it is important to deliver the victim to the hospital as soon as possible.

Plentiful drinking of water, milk, tea is shown. In the future - the introduction of an isotonic solution of sodium chloride (up to 1 liter subcutaneously, drip), glucose (5% solution subcutaneously or 10 ml. 20-40% solution intravenously). In case of respiratory failure with cyanosis, oxygen is prescribed.

COLCHICUM, or TIMELESS (COLCHICUM L).
Lily family.
The Latin name comes from the Greek name of the region in Western Georgia (Colchis), where some species of this genus live. The Russian name TIMELESS is associated with the peculiarity of many species to bloom in late autumn, but to bring fruits (boxes) next spring. And in the Middle Ages in Latin it was called Filius ante patrem, which means son before father. The genus includes about 70 species of bulbous perennials common in Europe, North Africa, Western and Central Asia. Equilibrium plants usually develop large, elongate-lanceolate leaves that die off by early summer. Flowering occurs mainly in autumn, only single funnel-shaped flowers of various colors rise from the ground. Colchicum flowers reach 20 cm in height, if we count the perianth fused into a narrow tube, most of which is in the ground. The fruit is a low-lying, three-celled capsule with round seeds. The plant is poisonous. Colchicine alkaloid is extracted from autumn crocus (Colchicinum Autumnale) and royal lily (Gloriosa Superba). In one autumn colchicum flower, it contains 12mg. 20 grams of royal lily tubers contain 60mg, and one seed - 3.5mg. It is used in genetics and medicine. As well as the alkaloid colchamine (omain), which is used to treat certain blood diseases and a number of high-quality neoplasms. Colchicum (colchicum) autumn - Сolchicum autumnale L. Motherland - Central Europe , North Africa. A plant in a vegetative state up to 40 cm tall. Corms up to 4 cm in diameter, with black-brown scales that turn into a long neck. Leaves develop in spring and die off by summer, oblong, flat, erect, up to 30 cm long. Flowers up to 7 cm in diameter, 1-4 from one corm, light lilac or white. Perianth lobes elliptical, pubescent inside. Blossoms in autumn 24-30 days. Fruits. Seeds ripen next spring. In culture since 1561. It is widely used in landscaping the temperate zone of Russia. The most common garden forms: B. autumn white (Сolchicum autumnale f. album) is the most common. Flowers 15 cm long, 5-7 from each corm, perianth snow-white with a yellowish center. It blooms in the second half of September. The corm is 5 cm in diameter, up to 9 cm high, weighing 80 g. There are four leaves, about 35 cm long and 7 cm wide. autumn terry (Сolchicum autumnale f. plenum) with flowers 12 cm long, 5 cm in diameter, lilac in color and numerous (up to 35) petals. The leaves are dark green, 25 cm long, 4 cm wide. Corms - 40 g. The latest blooming form: from late October to early November. During thaws, flowering continues; in the spring, after the snow melts, the plant still blooms for about a week. B. autumn white terry (Сolchicum autumnale f. album plenum) - a form with white terry (up to 45 petals) perianth with a diameter of 6 cm. It blooms in the second half of September. Corm weighing 40 g. The leaves are dark green, grooved, up to 30 cm long and 5 cm wide. Gorgeous colchicum - Сolchicum speciosum Stev. Homeland - Western and Eastern Transcaucasia, Turkey, northern Iran. Tuberous perennial in a vegetative state up to 50 cm tall. The corm is conical, often unequal, covered with dark brown, membranous scales. The leaves are large, up to 30 cm long and 6 cm wide, bright green, with a slightly wavy edge, dying off by early summer. Flowers 1-3, very large with a long white tube and lilac or lilac-pink corolla lobes up to 7 cm long. Blooms in September. Old groups of plants are covered with many individual flowers. In culture since 1874. Prefers open sunny areas with humus-rich soil. Does not produce seeds in cultivation. In nature, it is more and more rare, it is used as an industrial raw material for the production of colhamine. The ancestor of most forms and varieties. It has many garden forms: white (f. album) - a surprisingly beautiful large-flowered garden form with milky white flowers up to 12 cm in diameter and 14 cm long. The corms are elongated, weighing up to 100 g. It blooms from the second half of September. - lilac flowers with a white center. Perianth cupped with blunt lobes and a white mark. Turkish (f. turkey) - has goblet flowers of lilac color, with a white base. Corms up to 100 g, 5 cm in diameter and 8 cm high. It blooms from the second half of September. Hellebore (f. veratrifolium) - with large purple flowers and folded leaves. Huxley") - lilac-red flowers with a gradual color transition to bright purple - "Lilac Wonder" ("Lilac Wonder") - late-flowering variety, purple-pink flowers - "Premier" ("Premier") - late-flowering variety, bright flowers, lilac-pink-"Waterlily" ("Waterlily") - double, lilac flowers. Agrippa's colchicum - C. agrippinum It blooms in late August with reddish-lilac flowers arranged in a checkerboard pattern Ankara colchicum - Сolchicum ancyrense A rare plant of the steppes of the northwestern Black Sea region, Moldova and Crimea. This is one of the earliest ephemeroids. In some years, it begins flowering at the end of December, and ends in early April. Up to 8 flowers sequentially appear from one corm. Bornmuller's colchicum - Сolchicum bornmuelleri Freyn wildly grows in Asia Minor, Syria, Iran. The flowers are large, 12-15 cm long with a tube and up to 8 cm in diameter when fully opened, pink with a purple base. Corm 6-8 cm long and 4-5 cm in diameter, weighing up to 60 g. Blooms from the first half of September until frost. In culture since 1892. It has a larger variety with flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, pink in color, lighter in the throat and without a purple hue at the base of the tube. decorative look It has long been introduced into culture, but it is not widely distributed. The flowers are lilac-pink, somewhat larger than those of the autumn colchicum. The corm is very large, irregular shape, about 7 cm in diameter, forms up to 12 flowers. The leaves are broadly lanceolate, folded, up to 30 cm long and 10-15 cm wide. It blooms from late summer and autumn. The flowering period of this species of colchicum is quite long. Kolhikum yellow - Сolchicum luteum A spring-flowering species, found along the rocky edges of the Tien Shan, Pamir-Alay, Tibet, Himalayas glaciers. Introduced into cultivation in St. Petersburg botanical garden in 1882. A spherical corm up to 2 cm in diameter. The flowers are bright yellow, up to 3 cm in diameter, in our conditions they open in early April. - Сolchicum variegatum It grows on the rocky meadows of the island of Crete, in the Mediterranean. In culture - since 1629. Flowers with a diameter of about 5 cm, pale pink in a white box. A white stripe runs along the inner side of the perianth lobes. Corm up to 4 cm in diameter and weighing 40 g. It blooms at the end of September. Snowy colchicum, or spring blooms in early spring. Broad linear leaves appear simultaneously with white or pink funnel-shaped flowers. The fruit is a spherical box. Seeds are small, round, brown. Colchicum sibtorp is not suitable for cutting. Colchicum Sibtorp - Colchicum sibtorpii Colchicum Sovich - Colchicum szovitsii Fritsch et Mey. It grows in the mountains of the Caucasus, Iran. The leaves reach 20 cm in length and 3 cm in width, including 2-3, lanceolate, appear during flowering. Blooms in early April for a month. From one corm appear 1-4 flowers of light pink color up to 5 cm in diameter. Corm up to 3 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. Shadow colchicum - Сolchicum umbrosum Stev. Wildly grows in the Crimea, Ciscaucasia and Asia Minor. A characteristic feature is early vegetation (early April). Leaves are linear, obtuse, narrowed towards the base, 10-15 cm long and 2 cm wide, including 2-4. The flowers are pale pink, 4-5 cm in diameter, 8-10 cm long, 1-3 appear from one corm. Corm up to 3 cm long and about 2 cm in diameter. Blooms from the first half of August to the end of September. In culture since 1904. Colchicum Fomin - Сolchicum fominii was first discovered by botanists in the mid-thirties in the Odessa region and described as a new endemic species. For a long time there was no other information about this plant, and only after almost half a century it was again found in Moldova and the Danubian regions of the Odessa region. In 1984, it was included in the Red Book of the USSR. Colchicum bright - Сolchicum laetum Stev. Motherland - southeastern part European Russia. Leaves up to 10-15 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, 3-4 in number. The flowers are pale pink, slightly purple, up to 7 cm in diameter, 10-12 cm long, 1-3 in number from one corm. It blooms from the second half of September until frost, with hepels, the formed buds open. The corm is up to 4 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. In culture since 1897. Signs of poisoning: The alkaloid colchicine damages the microtubular apparatus of cells and stops their division. It also damages nerves (stops the transport of substances along the nerve endings) and blood vessels. Whether it hurts or not is unknown, but nerve damage sounds scary. A very beautiful chemical name is Acetyltrimethylenocolchic acid. Already Dioscorides drew attention to the fact that these are extremely poisonous plants. Damaged corms secrete the alkaloid colchicine, which can cause burns on the hands. But not only the corm, but also the aerial organs contain various alkaloids. Poisoning can be very strong: after a few hours, there is a burning sensation in the throat, dizziness and nausea, which can later turn into colic, paralysis and collapse. Since all parts of the plant, and even the water in which the flowers stood, are poisonous, you should handle colchicum carefully and work with gloves. for gout treatment, also - COLHAMIN (Omain), used to treat certain blood diseases and a number of malignant neoplasms.