Colchicum
(Colchicum autumnale · Meadow saffron)
The remedy of painful joints and a queasy stomach. In the materia medica, Colchicum is associated with hot, swollen, very tender joints, deep weakness and inner coldness, and nausea set off by the mere smell of food.
Source
The bulb of meadow saffron, an autumn-flowering crocus-like plant
Kingdom
Plant
Abbreviation
Colch.
Home acute kit
Usually prescribed by a homeopath
The classic picture
(a remedy is chosen when the whole picture fits the person, not from a single symptom)
Joints red, hot and swollen; cannot bear them to be touched or moved, and stubbing a toe hurts exceedingly
Great weakness and a sense of internal coldness
The smell of cooking food, especially fish or eggs, brings on nausea, even faintness
Very sensitive to light, noise, strong smells and rough manners; suffering feels intolerable
Tends to feel better
Stooping
Lying perfectly still
Tends to feel worse
Sundown to sunrise
Motion and touch
Smell of food
Loss of sleep and mental strain
How it compares
(remedies that are often confused with Colchicum)
-
Bryonia
(Bryonia alba)
Both much worse for the least motion; Bryonia is thirsty and irritable, Colchicum nauseated by smells and deeply weak.
Read more -
Nux vomica
(Strychnos nux-vomica)
Both oversensitive to noise, light and odors; Nux is driven and tense, Colchicum exhausted and cold.
Read more -
Ledum
(Ledum palustre)
Ledum's swollen joints feel cold and want cold applications; Colchicum's are hot, red and unbearably tender.
Read more
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From the classic texts
“The parts are red, hot, swollen. Tearing pains; worse, in the evening and at night and from touch; stubbing the toes hurts exceedingly.”
“External impressions, light, noise, strong odors, contact, bad manners, make him almost beside himself (Nux); his sufferings seem intolerable.”
Looking for more than a quick remedy?
Acute remedies can be a starting point for short-term complaints. Ongoing or recurring issues call for a full case: a detailed conversation about your physical, mental and emotional symptoms, so the remedy fits you as a whole person.
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