Plant Family:  Papaveraceae

Common Names: Californian Poppy

Origin: Poppies are perennials. There are varieties that will grow almost anywhere in North America. There are many annual varieties, but the perennial ones are most commonly used for healing.

History:  The leaves were chewed by California Indians for toothache, but the Cahuilla Indians regarded it as a poison which was only handled by witchdoctors.

Tradition:

• Poppy seed pods are used in prosperity charms
• The seeds are added to food to aid in getting pregnant
• It is said that to find the answer to a question, write it in blue ink on a piece of white paper. Place the paper inside a poppy seed pod and
• put it beneath your pillow. The answer will come to you in a dream.

Plant Constituents

Medicinal Parts Used: Flowers and aerial parts

Contains:

• alkaloids similar to Opium Poppy
• flavone glycosides

Usage

Californian Poppy is used for:

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• insomnia
• nervousness
• over-excitedness and sleeplessness in children

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• colic pains

Liver Conditions

• gallbladder colic

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• chronic coughs

Other

• pain

Action:

• anodyne [an agent that soothes or relieves pain]
• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
• hypnotic [an agent that promotes or produces sleep without disturbing alertness and receptiveness to others]
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]