The Benefits And Dangers Of Colchicum

Colchicum is a well-known remedy for two health conditions - mainly, gout and a painful type of infection known as Mediterranean fever. Gout, on the other hand, is a painful inflammation of the joint/joints (arthritis) caused by high levels of a waste byproduct, uric acid, in the body.

The active compound found in Colchicum is colchicine, which is one of the ingredients of a prescription drug for gout. It is still a mystery to researchers what makes colchicine effective in treating gout attacks but it has been proven many times to work very well in relieving pain associated with gout. It can also help lessen the frequency of gout attacks.

Colchicum is a flowering plant named after Colchis, the mythical region whose king’s daughter is Medea, the witch known for her magic potions and poisonous concoctions.
While the seeds and flowers of Colchicum as well as its tubers have medicinal benefits, the plant is used rarely because of the risks of poisoning.

It is, therefore, critical to take only the recommended does of Colchicum and for a brief period of time. Prolonged use of Colchicum can lead to damages to the kidney and liver, loss of hair, inflamed nerves, diseases of the muscles, and damage to the bone marrow. Colchicum has no known contraindications with other medications but gout patients may not take herbal teas if they are using colchicum in its drug form.

Aside from the pill, crushed colchicum or Colchicum juice (freshly-pressed) are also available. Do not take Colchicum in any form if you are pregnant or breast feeding, even if you have serious gout attacks. Colchicum may be an effective gout treatment but it is highly detrimental to the development of a baby because it has properties that inhibit that division of cells.

For acute gout, the typical initial does of Colchicine is 1 mg taken orally, followed by another dose, about half a milligram to 1.5 mg, every hour or two hours until the pain is relieved. A dosage of Colchicine more than 8 milligrams a day is dangerous. Also, you would need to wait for another 3 days or so before you take another dose if Colchicine again.

Adults will overdose on Colchicum if they take only 5 grams of its seeds and this dose can be lethal. A gram to 1 ½ grams of Colchicum seeds are fatal to children. Only 200 milligrams of Colchicine is enough to cause a fatality.

The first symptoms of Colchicum toxicity will show about three to six hours after ingestion. At this point, the victim will feel as if the inside of his mouth is burning. He will find it difficult to swallow and will feel extremely thirsty. After some twelve to fourteen hours, the victim will start to vomit and will become nauseous. He may experience diarrhea, severe pains in the stomach, spasms in the bladder, and blood in the urine. The victim’s blood pressure may suddenly drop and he may fall into a state of progressive paralysis. Exhaustion is followed by asphyxiation, a collapse of the circulatory system, and, finally, death. Learn to recognize the early signs of over dosage and if you suspect Colchicum poisoning, get emergency medical attention right away.