What is Colchicum Luteum? What are the benefits, Uses & Side Effects of Suranjan? A Complete Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Colchicum Luteum is a medicinal plant commonly known as Suranjan or Meadow Saffron, some other common names are Suranjan, Hirantutiya, Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Wonder Bulb, Crocus, Vellorita. It is mainly found in the temperate region of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Chamba, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It is an annual herb with brownish fleshy underground stems. Colchicum luteum is one of the rarest and hence most expensive medicinal plants.

The plant has narrow leaves, broadening towards the tip, large yellow flowers, and fruits with recurved tips. The chief constituent of colchicum is the alkaloid, colchicine, which occurs in the form of yellow flakes, crystals, or as a whitish-yellow amorphous powder. Its odor resembles hay when damped and warmed.

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2. Morphology 

Leaves 

The leaves are alternate or less often opposite or the whorled, broad linear shape. They are 15–30 cm long and 0.8–1.5 cm broad, appear with flowers, and are narrow. Leaves increases in size as the plant approaches the fruiting stage.

Flower 

The flowers are nearly always bisexual and actinomorphic, occurring in large, erect terminal cymes with one to three flowers. The flowering times are March to May, the flower contains 0.1-0.8% of colchicine.

Corms 

The Corms are light brown in color and opaque with a bitter taste and one side flat and the other rounded, they can be either translucent or opaque. The corms contain 0.21-0.25% colchicine.

3. Ayurvedic properties of Colchicum Luteum

Colchicum luteum, also known as Suranjan talkh in Ayurveda, is a herb used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. It is important to note that Colchicum luteum contains colchicine, a toxic alkaloid, and should not be used without proper guidance from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare professional.

Ayurvedic properties of Colchicum luteum:

1. Rasa (Taste): Colchicum luteum is believed to have a bitter (Tikta) taste.

2. Virya (Potency): It is hot in nature (Ushna Virya).

3. Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is pungent (Katu Vipaka).

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4. Dosha Effects: Colchicum luteum primarily balances Kapha dosha and, to a lesser extent, Vata dosha. However, it may increase Pitta dosha due to its heating nature.

Ayurvedic Uses:

1. Joint Health: Colchicum luteum is used in Ayurveda to manage joint-related issues, especially in conditions like gout and rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Anti-inflammatory: It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to manage inflammatory conditions.

3. Digestive Support: Colchicum luteum is believed to support healthy digestion and manage digestive disorders due to its bitter taste.

4. What are the benefits of Suranjan?

It is a medicine of great repute in Afghanistan and Northern India, the medical properties were well known even amongst the Arabs. Its corn and seeds are incorporated in the British Pharmacopoeia and allopathic medicine alludes to it as a remedy for gout.

It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-granuloma, anti-fungal, carminative, laxative, and aphrodisiac properties. Suranjan Corms are mainly used in Ayurveda for their medicinal benefits, they come in sweet and bitter, called Suranjan Mitthi and Suranjan Kadwi. It is the first drug considered in the treatment of arthritis.

Here are some health benefits of Colchicum Luteum

For Gout

The active content is colchicine contained in the corns is useful in relieving pain and inflammation if gout. The seeds, chiefly the rind also contain colchicine and are used in the treatment of gout in the same manner as the corns.

For Rheumatism

The herb is beneficial in treating rheumatic swelling, it helps to reduce pain and inflammation.

For Wounds

The root powder of Colchicum Luteum is helpful in healing wounds and open cuts.

For Men’s Sexual Problems

Colchicum Luteum is beneficial in the treatment of men’s sexual problems like premature ejaculation, and fatigue, it also helps to increase stamina and sexual power.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Colchicum Luteum has been traditionally used to reduce inflammation and swelling in various conditions, including gout, arthritis, and other inflammatory disorders.

Analgesic properties

Colchicum Luteum has been used as a natural pain reliever, especially for joint pain associated with gout and arthritis.

Antimicrobial Properties

Colchicum Luteum has been found to have antimicrobial properties and may help fight against bacterial and fungal infections.

Cardiovascular Health

Colchicum Luteum has been reported to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Digestive Health

Colchicum Luteum has been used to improve digestion and relieve digestive problems such as constipation and flatulence.

Respiratory Health

Colchicum Luteum has been used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, and coughs.

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5. How to use Colchicum?

Colchicum Luteum is an active part of many Unani formulations due to the presence of the alkaloid colchicine, which is effective in arthritis, gout, and rheumatism, and is used as a carminative, laxative, and aphrodisiac.

Dosage and uses depend upon the health problems and conditions or as recommended by an Ayurvedic doctor. 

Here are the uses of Colchicum Luteum

• Take Colchicum Luteum corms powder and combined it with saffron and eggs, a paste is made and applied on rheumatic and other swellings.
• Take Colchicum Luteum corms powder and mixed with saffron and rock sugar, to make a fine powder. Take this with cow ghee or milk, once a day. It helps to improve sexual power.
• Make a decoction of Colchicum Luteum corms and take once a day after a meal, helps to treat arthritis.
• Take Colchicum Luteum corms sweet powder and mix it with honey, helps to treat cold, cough, asthma, and sore throat.
• Take Colchicum Luteum corms powder and mixed with saffron and egg, applied it to rheumatic and other swellings.
• For gout: The usual dose of Colchicum Luteum for gout is 0.5 to 1 gram per day, divided into two to three doses. It's important to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to avoid side effects.
• For arthritis: The recommended dosage for arthritis is 0.6 to 1 gram of Colchicum Luteum per day, divided into two to three doses.
• For respiratory conditions: Colchicum Luteum can be taken in the form of a tincture or syrup to relieve respiratory symptoms. The usual dose is 1 to 2 mL of tincture or 1 to 2 teaspoons of syrup, taken three times per day.

6. Side Effects Colchicum Luteum

All Ayurveda herbs are plant-based, and they don’ have any side effects but they may react with some allopathy or homeopathy medicine. It is better to consult the doctor if you are on any medications or have special health issues.

Here are some side effects of colchicum luteum

• Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not take without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
• If you are on diabetes or on hypertension medication. Consult first the doctor before consuming colchicum luteum.
• Colchicum luteum may interact with other allopathy medicines, consult the doctor before starting colchicum luteum.
• The right dosage is very important for colchicum luteum, over dosage may cause vomiting and diarrhea.

It is very bitter in taste and darkens on exposure to light. It has a similar action as colchicine, but the latter is more active and toxic. When taken in large doses, colchicine causes intestinal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. That’s why it is suggested to take the right dose of Colchicum Luteum. The excessive use of Colchicum Luteum can cause severe irritation in the intestine.

It's recommended to consult the health advisor before starting any herbal medication. 

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