Cremastra is also known as Chinese tulip (cremastra appendiculata [D. Don] Makino), a type of flower native to the Guizhou and Sichuan provinces of China. The bulb is white in appearance, and resembles a large clove of garlic. Cremastra bulbs are usually harvested in May and June. After getting rid of any attached stems, leaves and roots, the bulb is washed clean and dried in the sun before being used in herbal preparations.
Cremastra has sweet, cold and acrid properties in traditional Chinese medicine, and is associated with the Liver, Spleen and Stomach meridians. Its main actions are to clear heat and fire toxicity.
Cremastra can be used both internally and externally. Internally, it has been used to fight tumors and cancers of the breast, cervix and uterus in women; some studies have used injections of cremastra extracts to battle cancerous tumors. Externally, it treats boils and skin lesions, and can be applied to affected parts of the body as part of a poultice or paste.
The main active ingredient in cremastra is colchicine. Research has shown that colchicine is extremely toxic. As such, cremastra should be ingested or applied using extreme caution.
The generally recommended dose of cremastra is 3-6 grams per day, using either crushed or powdered cremastra as part of a decoction. Larger amounts can be used when cremastra is applied topically.
Cremastra is available as a powder or pill. Some herbal shops may sell cremastra pastes, or whole, dried cremastra bulbs.
Large doses of cremastra can lead to a wide range of ailments, ranging from vomiting and abdominal pain to diarrhea, bloody stools and, in extreme cases, death. As a result, cremastra should never be taken without first consulting with a licensed health care provider. It should never be taken with alcohol, and should never be taken by patients who are deficient. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with cremastra. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care provider before taking cremastra or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
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