California Poppy

OTHER NAME(S): Amapola de California, Pavot d'Amérique, Pavot d'Or, Poppy California, Yellow Poppy, Eschscholzia californica, California Poppies, Eschscholtzia Californica, Pavot de Californie, Amapola De California

Overview

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a plant known for its bright orange flower. It's been traditionally used as a medicine in teas.

California poppy contains chemicals that might cause relaxation and sleepiness.

People use California poppy for anxiety, insomnia, aches, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

References
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Hanus M, Lafon J, Mathieu M. Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders. Curr Med Res Opin 2004;20:63-71.
  3. Paul LD, Springer D, Staack RF, et al. Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of californine and protopine. Eur J Pharmacol 2004;485:69-79.
  4. Paul LD, Maurer HH. Studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of the Eschscholtzia californica alkaloids californine and protopine in urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2003;789:43-57.
  5. Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, et al. Behavioural effects of the American traditional plant Eschscholzia californica: sedative and anxiolytic properties. Planta Med 1991;57:212-6.
  6. Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, et al. Neurophysiological effects of an extract of Eschscholzia californica Cham. (Papaveraceae). Phytother Res 2001;15:377-81.
  7. Gafner, S., Dietz, B. M., McPhail, K. L., Scott, I. M., Glinski, J. A., Russell, F. E., McCollom, M. M., Budzinski, J. W., Foster, B. C., Bergeron, C., Rhyu, M. R., and Bolton, J. L. Alkaloids from Eschscholzia californica and their capacity to inhibit binding of [3H]8-Hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin to 5-HT1A receptors in Vitro. J Nat Prod. 2006;69(3):432-435.