Opium Poppy is an annual plant, 0.5-1.2 m tall. The stem of the Opium Poppy branches only at the top, smooth and upright. Leaves entire, arranged alternately, toothed along the edges. Flowers of both sexes, large, single, with four petals, pinkish, sometimes soft purple, rarely red and white. Fruit a seed pod containing many small black seeds. The sleeping hyacinth blooms in June-July, the fruits ripen in August.

This plant is a cultivable plant that is grown for decorative purposes, but in Latvia it is often found as a garden escapee. You should know that the other name of the plant is Opium poppy.

Opium Poppy contains a lot of vegetable fats, more than 20 alkaloids, phytosterol, organic acids and other organic compounds.

Seeds, sap and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. The petals are dried by spreading them on sieves, in one layer, in a well-ventilated and shady place. Milk is obtained by cutting unripe fruit pods

Medicinal significance

Medicinal properties are based on the content of alkaloids in the plant: papaverine, codeine, morphine.

Papaverine relaxes smooth muscles and removes their tone, and also has antispasmodic properties. Codeine works as a strong antitussive. Morphine is used as a sleeping medicine and a strong pain reliever, it blocks pain signals.

In treatment, papaverine is used for bronchial asthma, gastric and duodenal ulcers, angina pectoris, hypertensive disease, migraine, kidney and liver colic and spastic colic.

Codeine is one of the substances used in many cough suppressants.

Morphine is a pain reliever, which is used in cases of injuries, renal colic, severe pain associated with pathology of internal organs. Morphine suppresses agitation, anxiety and depression. Frequent use of morphine leads to strong addiction, which further leads to strong psychological problems. 

Decoction for insomnia

10 gr. pour a glass of hot water over the Opium Poppy petals, boil for 30 minutes in a water bath, then let it cool and separate the pulp. Take one tablespoon before going to bed.

Extract for insomnia and overwork

10 gr. the petals are poured with 100 ml of brandy and placed in a dark place for two weeks. It is necessary to periodically shake the extract. The thicknesses are separated and squeezed. Use 15 drops, 3 times a day.

The juice of fresh fruit boxes is great for treating insect bites.

Not recommended for use

Remember that the Opium Poppy has a more common name in the world, opium poppy, which alone indicates its belonging to plants with narcotic effects. It is understood that such a plant is used only if it is justified. In no case should it be used during pregnancy and lactation, and treating children with it is prohibited! The exception is if a specialist prescribes the meaning of this plant to you, but it is never prescribed to children under the age of two and the elderly. It is also not recommended for alcoholism, liver disease, anoxemia, difficulty breathing, bronchial asthma and pulmonary emphysema.