206/COLA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESStorage: Cola should be protected from light in sealed
containers.
LITERATURE
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New
York 1980.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug
Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Morton, JF, An Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America,
Charles C. Thomas USA 1981.
Oliver-Bever B (Ed.), Medicinal Plants of Tropical West Africa,
Cambridge University Press Cambridge, London 1986.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Steinegger E, Hansel R: Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
mbH Stuttgart 1997.
Colchicum
Colchicum autumnale
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The fresh flowers and the dried ripe seeds,
collected in early summer and then sliced, as well as the
tubers (fresh and dried) are the medicinal parts of the plant.
Flower and Fruit: The 5 to 20 cm flowers usually bloom in
autumn. They are a bright lilac-pink, and solitary or in pairs
from the corm. The 6 bracts of the involucre are fused into a
long, narrow tube. The flower has 6 stamens and 3 thread-
like styles. The ovaries are on the side of the corm. The 3-
valved capsule is initially green, later becoming brown and
wrinkled, and contains black seeds with sticky appendages.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Colchicum can grow to 40 cm in
height. The 3 to 4 broadly lanceolate leaves are tulip-like;
leaves appear together with the fruit in spring. They are 8 to
25 cm long, 2 to 4 cm wide and overlap at the base to form a
tube.
Characteristics: All parts of the plant are very poisonous and
have a disgustingly bitter and scratchy taste.
Not to be Confused With: The tubers are sometimes confused
with cooking onions.
Habitat: Colchicum autumnale is primarily a central Europe-
an plant found in northern Ireland, England, northern
Germany, southern Poland, the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Turkey,
Albania and northern Spain. It also grows in central Asia.
Production: Colchicum seeds are the dried seeds of Colchi-
cum autumnale harvested in the wild in June or July and air-
dried. Colchicum bulbs are the cut and dried tubers of the
plant harvested in early summer. After the surrounding
leaves have been removed, the tubers are cut into slices and
dried at temperatures of 60°C or lower. Colchicum flowers
are collected from the wild in late summer and autumn and
then air-dried.
Other Names: Meadow Saffron, Meadow Saffran, Autumn
Crocus, Naked Ladies, Upstart
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS: COLCHICUM BULB
Tropolone alkaloids: colchicine, colchicoside and N-deace-
tyl-N-formyl-colchicine; companion alkaloids include
demecolcine
StarchFatty oil
COMPOUNDS: COLCHICUM FLOWERS
Tropolone alkaloids: colchicine and N-deacetyl-N-formyl-
colchicine, additional alkaloids including demecolcine
EFFECTS: COLCHICUM BULBS, SEEDS AND FLOWERS
Colchicum inhibits mitosis through the inhibition of motility,
particularly of the phagocytosing lymphocytes. This is of
.-therapeutic use for blocking the immigration and the
autolysis of phagocytes in inflammatory processes and
thereby producing an antiphlogistic effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
COLCHICUM BULBS, SEEDS AND FLOWERS
Approved by Commission E:- Gout
- Mediterranean fever
Unproven Uses: Due to the plant's toxicity, internal applica-
tion is seldom used with the exception of acute attacks of
Cola acuminata
See Cola
COMPOUNDS: COLCHICUM SEEDS
Trupolone alkaloids: colchicine and colchicoside