Autumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnale

Location
Wildflower plot

Description
Also known as meadow saffron, but should not be confused with saffron or members of the crocus family, as Colchicum autumnale contains extremely toxic alkaloids. Native to the Mediterranean region, Colchicum autumnale is commonly found in woody areas of the Northern hemisphere (Lewis 2003).

History
Used by ancient Byzantine and Arabian healers as early as the fifth century AD, Colchicum autumnale has long been prized for its success in treating rheumatism and gouty arthritis. The Byzantine drug hermodactylus, meaning “the finger of Hermes” (the Greek messenger god, known for his swiftness), was used as a speedy remedy for arthritis and “podagra,” or gout (Lascaratos 1995). It was also used in very small amounts as a stimulant with cathartic, emetic, and diuretic effects, making it a useful aid in treating heart palpitations, nausea, and inflammatory conditions (Foster 2006). Other folk healers used Colchicum autumnale as a remedy for cholera, colic, typhus, Bright’s disease, skin ailments, and cancer (Duke 1985).

Current medicinal uses
Autumn crocus is not recommended for medicinal use due to the poisonous alkaloid, colchicine, that is found throughout the plant. The highest concentration of colchicine is in the seeds and corms during the summer, and the amount of colchicine in two or three seeds can be fatal (Lewis 2003). Used in small, carefully controlled doses, colchicine can be an effective painkiller and anti-inflammatory, and in pharmaceutical form is still commonly used to treat gout.

Modern herbalists still use extracts of Colchicum autumnale to treat gout attacks. Given the risks of colchicine, pharmaceutical preparations of colchicine are safer than herbal preparations, which may have widely varying amounts of colchicine. Colchicine acts to prevent cell division; a property that has important potential in cancer therapies. However, colchicine is not currently used to treat cancer due to its toxicity and high rate of side effects (Foster 2006).

Adverse effects
Due to highly toxic components of Colchicum autumnale, no part of this plant should ever be harvested or consumed for self-medication. Poisonings and fatalities from Colchicum autumnale have occurred around the world, in countries such as the United States, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Japan, and other countries. Poisonings are often due to unwary wilderness chefs mistaking the plant for wild garlic (Allium ursinum), a popular Central European spice (Klintschar 1999, Brncic´ 2001, Sannohe 2002, Brvar 2004, Sundov 2005).

Symptoms of poisoning with Colchicum autumnale include a burning sensation in the throat and stomach, vomiting, a weak, quick pulse, hypotension, kidney failure, respiratory failure, and often result in death (Lewis 2003). Sudden cardiac arrest can occur 36 to 54 hours after consuming Colchicum autumnale. Most fatalities from colchicine toxicity are due to shock and occur in the first 72 hours after ingestion. Survivors of colchicine poisoning may have persistent metabolic or neurological disorders (Lewis 2003).

References
Brncic´ N. Accidental plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale: report of two cases. Croat Med J. 2001; 42(6): 673-5.

Brvar M et al. Case report: fatal poisoning with Colchicum autumnale. Crit Care. 2004; 8(1): R56-9.

Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press: Boca Raton, 1985.

Foster S and Johnson R. Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine. National Geographic: Washington, DC, 2006.

Klintschar M et al. Colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale): pathological and medicolegal aspects. Forensic Sci Int. 1999; 106(3): 191-200.

Lascaratos J. ‘Arthritis’ in Byzantium (AD 324-1453): unknown information from non-medical literary sources. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 1995; 54: 951-957.

Lewis WH and Elvin-Lewis MPF. Medical Botany: plants affecting human health. John Wiley and Sons Inc.: Hoboken, 2003.

Sannohe S et al. Colchicine poisoning resulting from accidental ingestion of meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale). J Forensic Sci. 2002; 47(6): 1391-6.

Sundov Z et al. Fatal colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron-case report. Forensic Sci Int. 2005; 149(2-3): 253-6.