Latin name: Eschscholzia californica
Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy family)
Image Credit: California Native Grasslands 
Image Credit: Gardeners World 
Imagre Credit: LA County
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
Part of the Plant Used
Whole plant including roots in fresh state or dried, ariel portions.
Has a reputation for being non-addictive, milder substitute for Opium poppy.
CONSTITUENTS
Alkaloids (0.5-2%)
- Pavine alkaloids (californidine, escholzine)
- Protopine (antispasmodic, anti-arrhthymic, anticholinergic {blocksacetylcholine}, binds to GABA)
- Benzophenanthrides
- Aporphine alkaloids
- Binds to opiate receptors in vivo (+ Corydalis)
Californidine, escholtzine, protopine, and n-methyllaurotanin, allocryptopine, chelerytrine, berberine, sanguinarian.
THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
- Painful conditions involving the irritation or stimulation of pain fibres – it has been discovered that Californian Poppy produces a peripheral analgesic effect rather than central analgesic actions.
- Reducing pain and producing calm sleep
- Disturbed sleep – studies investigating the anxiolytic, analgesic and sedative actions of Californian Poppy support the traditional therapeutic use of the herbal medicine in treating sleep disturbances.
- Anxiety
- Migraine, nervous bowel, neuralgia, anxiety, depression, stress
Children:
- Enhancing sleep , particularly for children with whooping cough or where pain/adrenal activation is involved
- Relieving pain of colic in children
Clinical: Sedative, spasmodic, analgesic, anxiolytic. Traditional applications are insomnia, nervousness, sedative. It’s been used in children with colic and agitation. It’s also been useful in cases of insomnia, migraines, stress, anxiety, nerve pain and nervous agitation. It is used in fasted pains for internal organs and menstruation. May also support overall mood, vascular health, nerve function and stress response because of its binding affinity to GABA receptors.
Folk: tooth pain (the latex)
Energetics: cooling, bitter, grounding.
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
Avoid it one has hypersensitivity or allergies to California poppy. May possibly be unsafe when used in combination with SSRIs or MAOIs. California poppy is not recommended if pregnant or breastfeeding due to the lack of available scientific evidence on safety protocols. California poppy may also be hypotensive or may increase drowsiness when used with other drugs such as benzodiazepines, diazepam, barbiturates, narcotics, antidepressants or alcohol. Use caution while driving or using machinery. Use caution with California poppy if also consuming 5-HTP, ephedra, Hops, St. John’s Wort and vitamin B6.
Additive effect with benzodiazepine & MOA Inhibitors – AVOID CONCOMITANT USE
FORMULARY
Dosage
Infusion of the whole arial plant – one heaping fresh tablespoon per cup of water or 1:1 fresh liquid extract. Twenty to 60 drops 1-4 times per day.
