Other Names: Amapola de California, Eschscholzia californica, Pavot de Californie, Poppy California, Yellow Poppy.
California poppy is a plant. It is the state flower of California. People use the parts that grow above the ground for medicine.
Special Precautions of California Poppy
- California poppy appears to be safe for most people when taken appropriately by mouth for three months or less. There isn't enough information to know if California poppy is safe for longer term use.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of California poppy during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Surgery: California poppy can slow down the central nervous system, causing sleepiness and other effects. There is some concern that California poppy might slow down the central nervous system too much when combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. Stop using California poppy at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
- Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines and CNS depressants) interacts with California poppy
The benefits of California Poppy are
- Anxiety. Developing research suggests California poppy, in combination with magnesium and hawthorn, might be useful in treating mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders. This combination product, called Sympathyl, is not available in the US.
- Its antispasmodic action relaxes muscles throughout the body, making it a useful remedy for soothing tense, aching muscles and treating stress-related gut problems, IBS, colic and gallbladder pain. I
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
- Depression
- Neurasthenia
- Aches.
- Bed-wetting.
- Diseases of the bladder.
- Diseases of the liver.
- Promoting Relaxation
- The cognitive enhancing properties of California poppy can be useful in the treatment of behavioural disorders such as ADD, ADHD in children and young adults.
- It has also been used to improve intellectual capacity, memory and concentration in the elderly.