Spotlight on Local Medicinal Herbs—California Poppy
The state of our world feels more uncertain now than perhaps at any other time since we’ve all been alive. Racial and other systemic inequalities, police brutality, environmental devastation, the wealth gap, and a global pandemic have left most of us in a state of constant hypervigilance and anxiety. Fortunately we have access to herbal allies that can soothe us in times of stress, giving our bodies and psyches the moments of rest and relaxation needed to continue our individual revolutionary work in the world. One such herb is California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), native to the US and Mexico.
This perennial plant has beautiful silky petals, ranging from yellow to red in hue, is highly drought tolerant, and can be found in sunny locations with well-draining sandy soil. It tends to cluster on hillsides, along roads and trails, and near coastal areas. California Poppy is a member of the Papaveraceae family of plants, the same family which contains the famous Opium Poppy.
One of its most famous medicinal actions is revealed to us yet again through the Doctrine of Signatures. When in bloom, which occurs from February through September, its petals will close up tight at night, and open up again the following morning as the sun rises. Traditionally, California Poppy has been used to manage insomnia, helping our bodies and minds “close up shop” at night so we may be refreshed and ready to greet the morning. Its sedative, nervine, hypnotic, anodyne (pain-relieving), and antispasmodic effects contribute to its notable efficacy in cases of insomnia due to extreme anxiety and overexcitability. It works especially effectively when there is colicky spasmodic gastrointestinal pain associated with anxiety. It’s an herb that beautifully bridges the mind-body connection to foster relaxation on all levels.
The energetic signature of this plant is bitter and cooling, a perfect combination to help stimulate the vagus nerve, our “rest and digest” ambassador, and to release the “heat” of anxious restlessness and pain. Its chemical constituents include alkaloids (responsible for its bitter taste), and flavone glycosides (responsible for anti-inflammatory effects). One notable aspect of this plant’s medicinal use is that it can be quite sedating, and has an additive effect when combined with other sedatives, herbal or pharmaceutical. For this reason, it is always best to check with your physician before welcoming it to your protocol.
The dried aerial parts of this plant are what’s used medicinally, and it is most effectively taken either as a tincture or as a tea. In tincture form, we need far less of this plant than in the previous tinctures we have discussed. Rather than a 1:1 ratio of plant material to alcohol, this tincture requires a 1:5 ratio of plant material to alcohol. Dosage for insomnia is 1-4 mL before bed; dosage for spasms or anxiety is 0.5-2mL three times per day. To make a tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 tsp of dried herb and steep for ten minutes. Enjoy the rest and relaxation this plant offers you!
Citations:
Bartram, T. (1998). Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (26747th ed.). Constable & Robinson Ltd.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine (Illustrated ed.). Healing Arts Press.
