A plant whose root and seeds are both used medicinally. The wine of the root is the best preparation. In large dose it acts on the bowels; sometimes irritating the stomach also. It is a diuretic, and influences the nervous system in a way not very well defined. It was formerly the favorite medicine in gout; and probably does as much as any medicine towards curing or mitigating gouty attacks. Dose of the wine of the root of colchicum, ten or thirty drops, in water.