California Poppy Tincture: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects
Califonia poppy tincture is a natural medicine with many potential health benefits. It is prepared from the California poppy plant that has a long history of medicinal use in traditional medicines. Curious to know more about it? Keep exploring with us.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common potential health benefits of California poppy along with possible side effects and necessary precautions. But before we get into how California poppy can help human health, it’s worth knowing the basics of California poppy first. So, let’s dig a little deeper.
What is California poppy?
California poppy is a plant of the poppy family scientifically known as Eschscholzia californica. The plant's flower is best known as the state flower of California. This beautiful wildflower has been used by Native Americans in traditional medicines for centuries to manage and prevent a wide range of health issues. The plant is still valued by natural health practitioners today, especially for protecting the nervous system.
Unlike other cousins of the Poppy family, including the infamous opium poppy, the California poppy neither has any addictive effect nor is considered a narcotic. Today, to reap the potential health benefits of California poppy, it is available in various forms of dietary supplements, particularly as tinctures.
Chemical constituents found in California poppy
California poppy has long been traditionally used for centuries by Native Americans as both medicine and food. The plant has been found to have the potential to help in a variety of health conditions. Modern research has recognized a wide number of chemical constituents that contribute to its potential health benefits. Here are some of the most common of them:
- Flavonoid glycosides - particularly rutin and quercetin
- Isoquinoline alkaloids - such as californidine, macarpine, chelirubine, sanguinarine, protopine, chelerythrine, allocryptopine, eschscoltzine, and N-methyllaurotetatanine as well as others
- Berberine - it acts as a potent antioxidant
California poppy benefits
Native Americans used California poppy tincture for a wide variety of reasons. Moreover, the whole plant is cooked as veggies and eaten. Here’s a short list of the top 5 health benefits of California poppy:
California poppy may help ease stress
California poppy is perhaps best known as a nervine tonic. It supports the nervous system and helps ease stress as the other herbs for stress and anxiety, and tension. This medicinal herb also combines well with other calming herbs such as chamomile and lemon balm.
A 2014 scientific review published by the European Medicines Agency shows that the California poppy has the potential to help ease feelings of stress and anxiety.
California poppy may help promote relaxation and sleep
California poppy may help promote relaxation and sleep because of its significant calming effects on the body, particularly when used to help with sleep problems caused by anxiety and stress. Research suggests that the alkaloid compounds it contains have the capacity to react with the GABA receptors in the brain which in turn produce a sedative-like effect and makes you feel sleepy.
In a 2015 study published in the Biochemistry Research International, researchers have found that California poppy alkaloids have the potential to react with the GABA receptors in the brain.
California poppy may help relieve certain types of pain
California poppy is well-known for its use as an effective pain relief. The root of the plant has traditionally been used to help with managing tooth pain and the whole plant has been used for menstrual cramps, headaches, and nerve-related pain as well as other types of pain.
As mentioned earlier, unlike other types of poppies, the California poppy is non-addictive in nature and it doesn’t have any narcotic effect. This is the reason why it can help soothe sore muscles and support pain relief.
California poppy has an antispasmodic effect
California poppy has an antispasmodic effect. For this reason, it can help relax muscle spasms, which is especially useful for gut-related issues and muscle cramping. It is also useful for spasmodic coughing, particularly when used to help with stress-induced conditions such as asthma attacks induced by stress.
California poppy acts as a topical cleanser
Traditionally, the California poppy has been used as a topical wash in various forms such as ointment, liniment, and infused oil. Native American tribes used the whole plant and/or the root to cleanse wounds, injuries, and various types of other skin issues commonly as a juice or infusion.
How to use California poppy
California poppy can be used both internally as a tincture or as a tea as well as externally as a lotion, liniment, or infused oil to rub topically on nerves and sore muscles. Dosage and method of use depend on personal health needs and status.
In general, for tincture use, a dosage of 20 drops to 30 drops is often recommended. However, consider working with a certified natural health practitioner to determine your best dose and method of use.
Here you can see our pure natural California Poppy Tincture
Side effects and precautions
California poppy seems to be safe for both adults as well as children. However, it may interact with certain prescription medications such as blood thinners and medications used to control blood pressure, and cause adverse effects.
Moreover, it can interfere with lactation. This is the reason why it has traditionally been avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, it’s best to consult with a certified natural health practitioner prior to using California poppy for any health reasons, especially if you are on medications.
Final words
California poppy is a beautiful wildflower with many potential health benefits. It is famous for its anti-anxiety and sleep-promoting effects when taken as a supplement. Consider working with a certified natural health practitioner to determine whether it is right for your health condition.