POPPY –Papaver
Somniferum, Escholtzia Californica, Papaver Rhoeas, Papaver Orientale, etc.
Also
known as: Opium poppy, Corn poppy, Breadseed, California
poppy, Shirley poppy, Khuskhus, Flander’s poppy, Gasalu, Papi, Kaskash, etc.
Parts
used: seeds, latex, flowers
Systems/organs
affected: liver, heart, brain, nerves
Properties:
analgesic, anodyne, astringent, emollient, sedative, expectorant, aphrodisiac,
carminative, demulcent, anti-neuralgic, hypnotic, antispasmodic, febrifuge,
nervine
POPPY is
a member of the Papaver family of which there are between 70-100
varieties. They range in height from 8
inches to almost four feet and will have an assortment of colored flowers. Perhaps the most well-known is the bright red
to orange colored flowers with tall stems and hairy, oblong shaped leaves that
are deeply divided. Some varieties have
leaves that resemble that of a carrot.
At the base of each petal is usually found a dark splotch of color
although not always. The flower is
followed by a round pod that contains the seeds. Opium poppies are native to the Mediterranean
while corn poppies are native to Asia, Europe and North Africa. All poppies can now be found globally. The opium poppy contains a latex in the skin
of the pod that contains several narcotic components such as codeine, heroin
and morphine.
Poppies have been part of several cultures for millennia. It was grown as an ornamental in Mesopotamia
around 5000 BC. It was often associated with the Greek goddess Demeter who was
the goddess of Agriculture and Fertility.
The Greeks believed if poppies grew in their crops that they would have
a good year. They have also been paired
with the gods Nyx (night), Hypnos (sleep) and Thanatos (death) depending on
what said cultures happened to believe.
It was found in many Egyptian tombs so there may be something to
that. In some ancient records it was
indicated that people used the plant for euthanasia and to hasten death in old
age. Hippocrates and Dioscorides were
both familiar with it and its many uses, including its use as a culinary
agent. They even distinguished between
different varieties. Pliny spoke of the
medical uses of corn poppies and stated the leaves and pods were boiled in
water to make a juice. This was then
pressed and rubbed (dried) to create tablets.
The latex was also dried and was the first actual use of opium. It was used to ease respiratory conditions,
promote sleep and to relieve indigestion.
Corn poppies symbolized blood and new life to the Egyptians. Opium poppies found in tombs of the Egyptians
were found to still have their potency after 1000 years. (Which tells you the ability of this plant as
an analgesic or anodyne).
Poppies are worn on Armistice Day in Britain in remembrance of
those fallen in battle which became customary after Colonel John McRae penned
the poem, “In Flander’s Fields”,
describing the battlefields of WWI being covered with this flower where the
earth had been disturbed to bury the dead.
Despite its many positive abilities, it has been employed by
the pharmaceutical industry for quite some time for a vast array of
things. For instance, poppy seed oil is
used as a carrier oil for iodine in pediatric medicine. It is used as a contrast medium for HSG
(hysterosalpingography), an X-Ray that is used to evaluate fertility in
women. The latex from the pod of the
poppy is dried and used to produce the ever popular pain medications codeine
and morphine. It is also a chronic
problem by drugs users worldwide using heroin.
Contrary to popular belief, the seeds do not contain vast
amounts of narcotics. Rather those come
from the pod which holds the seeds. However,
the seeds can still mess up a drug test if a person ingests them-as well as a
breath analyzer. So just beware of that
if your company requires mandatory random drug testing. (Ha!)
Each gram of seed contains 14 mcg of codeine and 33 mcg of morphine. While all poppy seeds are not the same, they
will all help with a number of things the opium poppy is used for-not to
mention they are loaded with nutrients.
They contain B Complex vitamins, vitamins C and E as well as iodine,
calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, phosphorus,
selenium, linoleic and oleic fatty acids, etc.
For every teaspoon of poppy seeds a person gets 4% of their
daily allowance of phosphorus and calcium.
Both are required for bone maintenance.
Calcium is necessary for nerve impulse function, muscle contraction and
a host of other things whilst phosphorus is needed by the body for DNA
formation and energy production. Iron
and copper are both needed by the blood for the formation of red blood cells
and oxygen transport. The immune system
needs iron to function optimally and it is used by the body for building
proteins and neurotransmitters. The
fatty acids have been known to decrease bad cholesterol and the linoleic acid
in particular helps to maintain the liver and heart and keep them in working
order. Poppy also contains
fiber-something desperately needed by the digestive system for proper motility
and bowel health. The list goes on and
on. Poppy seed paste is said to be a
great moisturizer for the skin. Iodized
poppy seed oil has been used for iodine deficiencies and to deliver
chemotherapeutic substances to tumor locations.
A poppy seed poultice was employed for arthritis and rheumatic
conditions and other inflamed areas.
There are different colors of poppy seeds as well-some are
black, some are white or light grey and some are midnight blue, etc. They are often roasted, toasted and/or baked
with a number of pastries and dishes around the globe. They can be found in muffins, breads, salad
dressings, curries, chutneys, etc.
As poppy seeds are high in polyunsaturated fats they are
susceptible to oxidation. They should be
kept in dark bottles in a cool place where they can remain fresh for up to 6
months. Poppy seeds are considered safe
when used for culinary purposes (even for pregnant women it said). One medical site said that 1 tsp per 7 pounds
of body weight is considered safe (so someone weighing 150 pounds shouldn’t eat
more than 7 tablespoons of seeds at a time).
They also state that cooking the seeds lessens the narcotic content and
soaking the seeds for 5 minutes before adding them to recipes is also believed
to lessen their narcotic value.
There is no doubt that poppies have a place in our lives as
both a food and a medicine. One can
still grow poppies but if choosing to grow opium poppies in particular you must
obtain a permit from the Department of Narcotics in DC (due to the Poppy
Control Act of 1942 which basically says that you have to have a permit to grow
anything from which opium can be extracted-wonder if big pharma has a
permit…). It is considered illegal to
grow opium poppies for the intent of medical use apparently. You can grow other poppies for personal use
and given the current state of things they may become a good investment. As always, consult a physician before ever
starting an herbal product or regimen.
As is customary with my posts I have included some links below for your perusal. Use them as you see fit to. Stay strong and healthy!
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