California Poppy
Botanical Description & Habitat
Escholzia californica
Family
Papaveraceae
Habitat
Found throughout the United States; prefers sandy soil and a sheltered, sunny location, such as desert regions which have some moisture in the spring.
Description
The California poppy is an annual or perennial wild-flower with smooth grayish-green stems; it can grow up to 2 feet in height. Its leaves are few and highly divided, with the basal leaves a distinctly bluish color in spring. Poppy flowers range in color from pale yellow to orange, and have 4 petals which form a shallow bowl. The fruit is an elongated seed pod which ripens from the brightly-colored flowers.
Medicinal Parts
Whole herb above ground
Historical Properties & Uses
California poppy contains several chemicals (alkaloids, protopine, allocryptopine and flavon glycosides) that are similar to the poisonous constituents of the opium poppy. Although it is sometimes used as a "legal" way to get high, the herb usually just produces toxicity and should be avoided completely.
Method of Action
The chemical constituents of California poppy affect the central nervous system in a manner similar to that of narcotics; motor nerves are affected before sensory nerves. The cumulative effects in humans resemble those of codeine products, and may continue for a considerable period after cessation of usage.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
California poppy should be used with caution in conjunction with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Comments.
To minimize central nervous system depression and possible synergism, California poppy should not be taken by persons on procarbazine antineoplastic drugs.
In the absence of other hard data, it may be assumed observable interactions occur between the many central nervous system drugs and the psychoactive principles in this herb.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Prolonged use of California poppy may cause narcotic dependence.
Preparation & Administration
There is presently insufficient data on this subject.
References
American Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Drug package insert (FDA approved official brochure) and other labeling based on sponsored clinical investigations and New Drug Application data.
Field Notes on Traditional Medicine and Nutrition - an accumulation of more than a decade of notes by the Anthropological Research Center, from research in the U. S., as well as Canada and other countries. The Center, headed by Dr. John Heinerman, is a private research organization for studies and reports on traditional health concepts. "Field Notes" data is archival material on file at the Anthropological Research Center; P.O. Box 11471; Salt Lake City, UT 84147. U.S. telephone 801/521-8824.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. Macmillan, N Y. Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis).
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Morrelli, H.F. & K.L. Melmon. 1968. "The clinician's approach to drug interactions." California Medicine, 109(11).
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Moore, M. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa FE, NM. l984.
Spoerke, David G. 1979. Herbal Medications. Woodbridge Press Publishing Co. Santa Barbara, Ca.
Thomson, William A.R. Medicines From the Earth, a Guide to Healing Plants. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978.
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