Autumn Crocus

Autumn crocus is a plant. The seed, bulb, and flower are used to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Autumn Crocus

• Autumn crocus is UNSAFE. It is considered a poison, and can cause burning of the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney problems, blood disorders, nerve problems, shock, organ failure, and death. There have been reports of poisoning when autumn crocus bulbs were mistaken for onions and eaten.
• If you have gout or familial Mediterranean fever, it is much safer to use colchicine prescribed by your healthcare provider. Prescription colchicine contains a set amount of medicine. The amount of colchicine in autumn crocus can vary from plant to plant.
• 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.

The benefits of Autumn Crocus are

Despite serious safety concerns, autumn crocus is used for arthritis , gout , and an inherited disease called familial Mediterranean fever. The seeds of autumn crocus contain colchicine. This is the same active ingredient used in a prescription medication for gout and Mediterranean fever. Colchicine works by reducing the chemicals that cause joint swelling (inflammation) in people with these diseases.

• Arthritis.
• Gout.
• Familial Mediterranean fever, an inherited disease.
• Other conditions : More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of autumn crocus for these uses.