- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Probably the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia; grown in Europe since prehistory. Papaver somniferum
- Sanskrit
- Ahiphenam
- Other names
- Opiumpapaver
Asia · Herb · № 180
Papaver somniferum
Herb · Asia
Opium poppy
Papaver somniferum
The latex of the unripe seed capsule (opium) contains morphine, codeine and other alkaloids. Morphine and related opioids are indispensable painkillers in modern medicine, but highly addictive. The seeds (poppy seeds) are an ordinary food.
Safety notes
Opium and opioids can cause respiratory depression, addiction and fatal overdose. Producing or possessing opium is illegal in most countries. Poppy seeds may contain traces of opiates that can cause a positive drug test.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Chinese materia medica: Contains morphine and other opiates: addictive and dangerous. In the Netherlands the poppy capsule falls under the Opium Act. Do not use yourself.
Preparation
No preparation for home use. Poppy seeds are used as food in bread and pastries; opioids only as prescribed medicines. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
The poppy was used against pain and sleeplessness in Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt and the Greco-Roman world. In 1804 Friedrich Sertürner isolated morphine. The British opium trade to China led to the Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860), and the Dutch East India Company also traded opium in the Indonesian archipelago.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Sleep-inducing, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, constipating; for severe pain (injuries, burns), diarrhoea, dysentery, cough and bronchitis; seeds tonic and nourishing.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: syrup.
Caution: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sour, astringent, neutral, toxic
- Meridians
- lung, large intestine, kidney
Attributed effects
The dried seed capsule (ying su ke) was used to make the lungs and intestines contract in chronic cough and chronic diarrhoea, and against pain.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist.
Caution: Contains morphine and other opiates: addictive and dangerous. In the Netherlands the poppy capsule falls under the Opium Act. Do not use yourself.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Syrup, honey and oxymelPowder and kitchen