Eschscholtzia Californica M.T.

It is known as Californian poppy. An annual up to 60cm high with long petiole leaves, flowers yellow to orange 3-6cm wide saucer shaped. The plant is native of California. It has become a widely cultivated garden plant.

It contains alkaloids like protopine, cryptopine, chelidonine and flavour glycosides.A homoeopathic tincture is made from the whole plant. It is covered by both: Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of United States.

Also Read Do’s and Don’ts of Chronic Joint Pains

It is used to relieve pain, specially toothache and acts as tranquilizer. Though it is closely related to opium, it has a markedly different affect on central nervous system. It is not a narcotic. Infact rather than disorienting, it has normalisation affect on psychological functions. It is soporific remedy, which is harmless. It is mildly antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic. In children it has been used for bedwetting, sleep disorders, nervous tension and anxiety. In animal experiments,it has been found to act more powerfully than morphine. It is used in nervous tension and anxiety.

Recent study findings validate its traditional sedative properties confirmed by the sleeping induction, and its anxiolytic (anxiety relieving) action. The results also show that sedating effects of plant extracts can be identified by quantitative EEG analysis and by self-assessment 218 instruments.

Recommended dose: 1x under medical supervision. 3x and higher

Reference:

Alain Rolland, Jacques Fleurentin, Marie-Claire Lanhers, Chafique Younos, Ren? Misslin, Fran?ois Mortier, Jean Marie Pelt, Behavioural Effects of the American Traditional Plant Eschscholzia californica: Sedative and Anxiolytic Properties, Planta Med 1991; 57(3): 212-216