Poppy seed, whole

Poppy seed, whole (816)

Scientific Name: Papaver somniferum, Papaveraceae family

Common Names: Blue bread seed poppy, mawseed, white
poppy, oopiumunikko.

Part used: seed

Active Compounds: The fixed, pale yellow oil is
demulcent and anodyne.

Background:

Many countries in Europe cultivate the beautiful poppy for its nutritive seed, yielding 50% edible fixed oil. The seeds are added to a variety of foods for nutritional and decorative purposes.

The seed oil, pale golden in color, has been included in oil painting materials for many centuries and is considered by some to be a superior oil for that purpose It belongs to the class of drying oils which includes linseed and hemp seed oils.

Applications:

A traditional and contemporary ingredient in recipes, adding to the decorative and nutritional quality of a variety of foods. Can be added to muffin, cake and pastry recipes, often without adjusting the recipe.

Seed is processed in decoction for external, emollient use.

Providing a calming effect in states of irritation, poppy seed in small amounts produce infusions and decoctions that promote rest and have the action of a nervine.

Description:

Leaf is large, sessile, wavy, cut, or toothed; flower large and
terminal, drooping before expansion; petals 4, large, roundish, white or purplish with a darker colored spot. Stigmas 4 to 20, radiating, sessile upon the disk, which covers the ovary. Capsule obovate, 1-celled; placentae extended to nearly divide cavity into several cells; dehiscence by small chinks or pores beneath the crown formed by the radiating stigmas; tiny seeds are numerous.

The kidney-shaped seeds, smaller than one millimeter in length, are
regularly pitted on the surface. There are black-seeded and a white-
seeded varieties in cultivation.

Dosage:

Seed may be ground in a seed or coffee mill or grinder. 3 tbsp.covered with 1 c. boiling water, allowed to sit for 30 minutes (or more.) Strain through cheesecloth or small-mesh screen. 30-60 drops, 2x daily.

Safety:

There is no known safety information available when used as recommended.

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For educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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