Eschscholzia californica
|
|
California poppy Eschscholzia californica |
California poppy - Eschscholzia californica (in the Papaveraceae or Poppy family)
Part used: Whole plant.
Taste/smell: Bitter.
Tendencies: Cooling.
Dosage: Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons per cup of water; or 1:1 fresh liquid extract: 20-60 drops 1-4 times per day.
Use: (a) Sedative, (b) Antispasmodic, (c) Mild anodyne with a reputation of being used as a milder substitute for its relative, Opium poppy. It is often used for children with colic and agitation.
The main constituents are californidine, eschscoltzin, protopine, N-methyllaurotanin, allocryptopine, chelerytrine and sanguinarine.
Contraindications: Due to the results of studies on animal uteri, the California poppy should not be used in pregnancy due to the uterine stimulating effects from the alkaloid, cryptopine.