Benefits of California Poppy

California Poppy is a native herb of US western States. It is known by other names such as golden poppy, "copa de oro" (in Spanish) and flame flower. Eschscholtzia californica (scientific name) can be found through California bellow 5000 feet and in Oregon and Washington states. The densest populations can be found south of the Sierra Nevada.

The flower of the California poppy herb is the state flower of California. The golden poppy plant has blue-green foliage and strong orange flowers. Food and medicine uses of this plants are documented within the California Indians tribes.

California poppy pertains to the family of opium. However, it is legal to cultivate or have California poppy as opposed to the opium poppy which is illegal to cultivate and consume. Although sedative, alkaloids present in the flame flower plant seem not to be addictive. Alkaloids present in golden poppy are not classified as narcotic.

Health Benefits of California Poppy

This poppy has been used to treat problems with insomnia and sleepiness. Alkaloids present in the plant have a sedative effect which induces sleep. Contrary to sleeping pills California poppy does not cause morning grogginess.

The plant is also used to threat anxiety for the same reason that it is used to treat insomnia. Its sedative effect calms the person who ingest the golden poppy. Again, there seem not to be side effects after taking the flame flower.

Its sedative effect has also been used to treat mild cases of tooth pain. A tea can be used around the affected tooth to have a fast and long-lasting natural pain relieve.

Colics , headaches, muscle pain, ADHD , and memory problems have also been alleviated by using California poppy. It is also said that can be used to reduce Preparing

How to take California Poppy

The easiest way is to prepare a Tea. It is very simple to make it. Just pour hot water over a teaspoon of the dried poppy and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Then strain as you would do with any tea and drink it warm. As much as 3 cups per day can be taken safely without side effects.

Do not worry about the legality of this herb. In fact the California poppy is so ingrained in the US western States that California even has a California poppy day (April 6) and A California Poppy week (May 13-18)

Warning:

If you have a job drug-related test be aware that California poppy may give a false positive drug test. These test looks for opiates and certainly the golden poppy have them. Safety has not been established during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Sources:

Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest: A Guide to the Medicinal and Edible Plants of the Southwestern United States By Charles W. Kane. Lincoln Town Press, 2006