Poppy: use, properties, and tradition

The common Poppy, also known as Corn Poppy, has long been recognized in folk medicine as a mild sedative and antitussive.

Originally from the eastern Mediterranean regions, it made its way to Europe with the introduction of cereals and other species sharing the same vegetative cycle as wheat. This occurred in ancient times, during the Neolithic period, approximately five thousand years ago.

Botanical Name: Papaver rhoeas L.

Family: Papaveraceae

The name “Papaver” was coined by Virgil (Egl. II, 17) and originates from the Celtic “papa = pappa,” alluding to a common practice of mixing the plant’s juice into porridge to help children sleep. “Rhoeas” is derived from the Greek “reo = fall,” referring to the easily falling petals (Benigni).

An annual herbaceous plant with an erect, slender, strong, slightly hairy stem, reaching up to 60 cm in height. It bears dentate light green leaves. The scarlet-red flowers with a black claw are delicate and are harvested from May to July. It thrives in cereal fields, embankments, and slopes across Central and Eastern Europe, Western and Central Asia, and North Africa. Unfortunately, it’s less commonly found in fields due to herbicide use.

The fruit is a poricidal capsule (treto), topped with a flat stigma, containing numerous small seeds. Each plant produces an average of 10,000 to 20,000 seeds that remain viable in the soil for up to 40 years.

The entire plant emits a strong odor and produces a milky white, acrid sap.

Main Constituents: Petals contain small amounts of alkaloids, including isoquinoline alkaloids (0.7%), with roeadine (tetrahydrobenzazepine) being the predominant one. This alkaloid is found in all parts of the plant except the seeds. Aerial parts contain other alkaloids such as protopine (also in the roots), captisine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine; anthocyanin glycosides (mecocyanin, cyanin, and others); mucilage, and potassium nitrate.

In seeds: fatty oil (35%), mainly consisting of linoleic acid, and oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids.

The Papaveraceae family also includes Papaver somniferum, which yields opium and its alkaloids, including morphine. Common Poppy does not contain morphine or compounds related to this psychotropic substance.

Properties: Sedative, antispasmodic, expectorant, emollient, sudorific.

Roeadine is attributed with sedative and expectorant properties.

Indications – internal use: Insomnia, as a calming and analgesic agent, respiratory tract disorders and ailments. Classified among emollient expectorants. For soothing coughs and relieving insomnia in children, the elderly, and delicate individuals, either the infusion (1 pinch of dried flowers per cup of boiling water) or the syrup is recommended.

External use: For treating irritated and reddened skin, tonsillitis, inflammation of the eyelids.

 

The plant is also used for its dyeing properties due to anthocyanins and in herbal tea blends as an embellishing ingredient. As it is sensitive to moisture, the herb should be stored in a dry, enclosed space.

From the seeds, a vegetable oil with good dietary qualities can be extracted, excellent as a soothing and emollient. Once dried, the seeds are commonly used to flavor and decorate bread and biscuits.

Popular expectorant tea with 4 flowers (zambotti)

Verbascum thapsus flowers: 30 grams

Petasites officinalis herba: 30 grams (*)

Papaver rhoeas flowers: 25 grams

Malva sylvestris flowers: 15 grams

Infuse at 5%. Consume one cup 2-3 times a day away from meals. Sweeten with honey.

(*) Do not exceed 6 weeks per year.

Syrup (garnier)

– Dried petals of Corn Poppy: 100 grams

– Boiling distilled water: 1500 grams

– White sugar to taste

After a 6-hour infusion in a closed container, add sugar (180 grams per 100 grams of infusion), bring to a rapid boil, and filter.

For Adults: Take 30 grams per day, divided throughout the day.

Serenity infusion (botticelli, cagnola)

– Hawthorn flowers: 40 grams

– St. John’s Wort tops: 20 grams

– Poppy flowers: 20 grams

– Peppermint leaves: 10 grams

– Lemon balm leaves: 10 grams

Pour a cup of boiling water over a spoonful of the mixture, let it steep for 10-15 minutes; filter and drink one cup in the evening (for feelings of anxiety).

History and trivia: In 1735, Irish herbalist K’Eogh noted that Corn Poppy “has a refreshing and cooling nature. Drinking a decoction of 5 or 6 flowers in wine alleviates pain and induces sleep […] rubbed green bud leaves can be applied to boils and ulcers and used in case of fever.”

The plant was also mentioned in the British Pharmaceutical Codex (1949).

GIULIA CALDARELLI