Bitter Cigdem
(Herbstzeitlose, Krokus, Colchique, Colchicum, Autumn crocuses):
It is a herbaceous and tuberous plant that reaches 10-30 cm in height. It blooms purplish pink, 6-part flowers in autumn. Its leaves and fruits appear in spring. It is also known as the "autumn crocus" among the public because it blooms in autumn. Where it grows: It is not found much in Turkey. It grows abundantly in the wet meadows of Europe.
It is a herbaceous and tuberous plant that reaches 10-30 cm in height. It blooms purplish pink, 6-part flowers in autumn. Its leaves and fruits appear in spring. It is also known as the "autumn crocus" among the public because it blooms in autumn. Where it grows: It is not found much in Turkey. It grows abundantly in the wet meadows of Europe.
Places of use:
It is a plant of medical importance. The parts used are its tubers and seeds. The seeds and tubers have diuretic, sudorific, laxative and rheumatic pain relieving effects. Since the alkaloids have very high toxicity, these drugs can only be used internally under the supervision of a physician. In the past, it was used externally among the people to relieve rheumatic pain. For this, a pinch of bitter crocus seeds are thoroughly crushed in a mortar with 2-3 cloves of garlic. The resulting watery part is soaked in a cheesecloth and wrapped around the painful part. This dressing is repeated for a few days in a row.
