Colchicum autumnale

by Anja Heij

 
This beautiful but very poisonous plant grows in moisty meadow-lands and woods; it will disappear when the ground is too dry. In ancient Greek medicine this plant was known as ‘the soul of the joints’ because it cured the acute pains of rheumatism and gout.

Analogous to the above Colchicum suits persons who get complaints when their intake of liquids is too low. They need liquids to keep the high amount of acid metabolic waste in their body circulating; else this metabolic waste will crystallize around the joints and cause rheumatic pains or gout. In case of gout the pains will most probably start in the greatest toe. The rheumatic complaints ‘jump’ from joint to joint and are often accompanied by oedematous swelling. The pains go from the left to the right side of the body. The patient tries to stay completely motionless because every contact or motion of affected bodyparts hurts extremely. They will scream with pain if a rheumatic joint is touched. Touch and movements cause pains like electric shocks. These people feel worse in cold, moisty weather like most patients of rheumatism, but they also feel worse in hot summertime because then they loose body liquids through perspiration. The urine of Colchicum personalities is scanty and dark brown; it can also contain blood, albumin or sugar.

 
Colchicums are very sensitive to impressions: light, sounds, odors, coldness, emotions, pain, contact, bad manners, grief or misdeeds from others all result in pain and in terrible nausea. They smell things other people don’t notice and get nauseous by it. The odor of cooking food can result in vomiting and fainting (especially smelling fish, eggs or fat meat make them sick). These patients are unable to eat because thinking of, smelling of or thinking about food all lead to nausea and throwing up. There’s a burning feeling or an icy-cold feeling in the stomach. The belly is filled with gas. Cramps in the belly ameliorate by bending double. Diarrhoa goes together with severe colic-like pains. The patient sweats constantly and feels really exhausted.

 
People who need this remedy lie perfectly still to reduce pain and disposition to vomiting. They also feel worse by cold and moisty weather, touch and smells. They generally ameliorate by warmth.