Opium Poppy: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

The opium poppy, called Papaver somniferum in Latin, used to be an important medicinal plant. It has a strong analgesic effect, but it is associated with great risk of addiction. Because of this, and because the risk of abuse is very common, the opium poppy has fallen into disrepute.

Occurrence and cultivation of opium poppy

After flowering from June to August, round fruit capsules develop, which contain blue-black seeds. Papaver somniferum is a poisonous plant. It belongs to the poppy family and is also called true poppy, garden poppy or light shed. The opium poppy is native to Asia Minor, Central Asia and the Mediterranean region. The annual plant grows between 30 and 120 centimeters high. It has a round stem that is usually not branched and is often covered with a few fine hairs. The leaves look gray-green, are elongated, toothed and brittle. The plant has only four wrinkled-looking petals. They can vary from white to purple and have a purple spot in the center that looks like a roundish cross. There are also ornamental forms of opium poppy with red petals. After flowering from June to August, round fruit capsules develop that contain blue-black seeds. These are the only part of the opium poppy that is non-toxic and used for baking. All other parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids in lower or higher concentrations. The milky sap in the seed pod is particularly toxic, containing high levels of opium alkaloids.

Effect and application

The milky sap thickens in the air and becomes raw opium. This is the raw material for heroin and morphine, among other things. Therefore, the cultivation of opium poppy, even as an ornamental plant, requires a permit. Ingredients of the poppy include morphine, codeine, narcotine, papaverine, thebaine. They influence the peripheral (involuntary) nervous system, therefore opium poppy belongs to the group of neurotropic spasmolytics. Spasmolytics have an antispasmodic effect on the muscles of internal organs. The components of the opium poppy, especially morphine, have a strong analgesic and sedative effect. In addition, the alkaloids have antispasmodic, antitussive and sleep-inducing effects. They are particularly effective in cases of severe irritable cough without expectoration. The opium poppy is also used, among other things, for cramp-like complaints in the gastrointestinal tract and for respiratory problems. The active substances contained in the plant relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and thus slow down intestinal activity. This provides relief from cramps in the stomach and intestines. Likewise, the ingredients of the poppy affect respiratory function. The activity of the respiratory center in the brain is dampened and thus the stimulus to cough is suppressed. The active ingredient codeine is found in cold medications, including cough syrup and codeine forte drops. Morphine is used for severe pain, for example due to cancer or chronic pain with various causes. Due to their high dependence potential, these preparations are subject to the Narcotics Act and are prescribed only after careful review by a physician. In the past, opium was extracted from the opium poppy, which was used as oils, ointments, pills or patches for depression, restlessness and sleep disorders. In the Middle Ages, opium was an ingredient of a medicine used against diseases such as the plague and contagious fever, the theriac. The dried seeds of the poppy plant were taken with wine to treat intestinal disorders such as diarrhea. Today, the seeds are used in cakes and pastries. Baked poppy seeds contain hardly any morphine. Drugs containing the active ingredients of the opium poppy can have various side effects, including allergic reactions, such as skin irritation or breathing problems, and nausea and vomiting. These preparations must not be used in cases of known hypersensitivity to the active ingredients, disorders of the respiratory center or diseases with impaired respiratory function. Other contraindications are intestinal obstructions, disorders of consciousness, diseases of the adrenal glands, pancreatitis and acute liver and biliary tract diseases. In homeopathy, opium poppy is used for complaints that occur as a result of shock, excitement, surgery or unconsciousness. For example, in constipation, intestinal paralysis, fainting, insomnia, homesickness, anxiety or headache due to abuse of psychotropic drugs.These preparations are also prescribed by the doctor and the effect is checked.

Importance for health, treatment and prevention.

The cultivation of opium poppy is prohibited in some countries or is subject to licensing. Nevertheless, the ingredients are used in medicine, because medicinal plants and their ingredients have always played an important role in all cultural circles. Medicinal plants have been used to treat injuries and diseases since early history. Even in apes, the use of medicinal plants has been observed. In research for new medicines, the active ingredients of medicinal plants are taken into account. Artificial active ingredients are modeled on naturally occurring substances, such as codeine. Nevertheless, medicinal plants continue to play an important role in the therapy of diseases. Especially in homeopathy, active ingredients of the opium poppy are used in the form of globules, tinctures or ointments. Due to the risk of addiction and possible side effects, even low-dose preparations should be taken under medical supervision. Abuse of the extracts of the poppy, mainly opium and drugs derived from it, such as heroin, leads to physical and psychological dependence. Even prolonged use of cough syrups containing codeine can lead to dependence, and driving ability is also significantly impaired after ingestion. Used sensibly and in good doses, the opium poppy is an important remedy in medicine. Used correctly, it can relieve severe pain and thus improve the quality of life of sick people.