Colchicum Autumnale is a plant. The seed, bulb, and flower are used to make medicine.
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Uses
- Despite serious safety concerns, autumn crocus is used for arthritis, gout, and an inherited disease called familial Mediterranean fever.
Benefits
- A drug derived from plant extracts could wipe out tumours in a single treatment with minimal side effects, according to research.
- Scientists have turned a chemical found in crocuses into a ‘smart bomb’ that targets cancerous tumours. Crucially, healthy tissue is unharmed, reducing the odds of debilitating side effects.
- Unlike other side effect-free drugs, it is able to kill off more than one type of the disease, including breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer.
- Potentially, all solid tumours could be vulnerable to drugs developed this way, meaning it could be used against all but blood cancers.
Cautions
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE for anyone to use autumn crocus, but pregnant women have extra reasons to avoid use. Autumn crocus might cause birth defects.
Interactions
- Colchicine interacts with AUTUMN CROCUS
Autumn crocus contains colchicine. Taking autumn crocus along with colchicine might increase the effects and side effects of colchicine.
Other names
Colchicum, Colchicum autumnale, Colchicum speciosum, Colchicum vernum, Colchique, Colchique d’Automne, Cólquico, Crocus, Dame Sans Chemise, Fall Crocus, Faux-Safran, Meadow Saffran, Meadow Saffron, Mysteria, Naked Ladies, Safran Bâtard, Safran des Prés, Tue-Chien, Tue-Loup, Upstart, Vellorita, Wonder Bulb
References
Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2036279/Crocus-drug-kill-tumours-treatment-minimal-effects.html