Poppy

 

Eschscholzia californica is a bright eyecatching flower in the Papaveraceae family, which grows abundantly over throughout California and most western states. California poppies contain flavone glycosides and the alkaloids protopine, cryptopine, and chelidonine. Although they have similar sedative effects as opium poppies, they do not have the morphine and codeine type of alkaloids and therefore act in a milder and gentler way. Other properties include: antidepressant, anodyne (painkilling), anxiolytic (tranquilizer or anti-anxiety), antispasmodic, analgesic. Matthew Wood says that it is a sedative in part because it increases fluids and lubrication similar to skullcap, bugleweed, and motherwort. Poppies are contraindicated with pregnancy and MAO inhibitors. In her herbal course, Rosemary Gladstar writes that the california poppies are “excellent in establishing equilibrium and calming nerve stress and excitability.”

The entire plant can be used medicinally, but usually we use the aerial parts. Juliette de Baircli Levy recommends mixing ground poppy seed with honey, drying them in the sun, and feeding them to children who have difficulty sleeping or are overly excited. Flowers leaves and stems can be used for infusion, tinctures, cosmetics, and most other preparations. California poppies can be administered for anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, and tension. Candy the flowers or freeze them in ice cubes.