California poppy plant, c/s Organic

Background: Native American Indians cooked the California Poppy plant in oil to produce a hair tonic. They also used the sap of a California Poppy as relief for pain such as toothache and applied it to open sores or ulcers.

Applications:Anti-spasmodic/Nervine

Anti-spasmodic: Used as a hypnotic for children to sedate them and help them sleep. Also used for colic and gall bladder pain. While closely related to opium poppy, it has the opposite effect on its users. Instead of disrupting the psychological orientation of the user, it stabilizes it. Sometimes used to treat chronic bed wetting.

Nervine: California Poppy can be used as a painkiller when applied directly to the afflicted area.

Description: A perennial plant native to North America with stems that grows up to 2 feet in height in sandy soil. Its leaves are greenish gray in color. Flowers are produced from February to September and range in color from yellow to orange to pink or red. Each flower has four petals and stamens.

California Poppy Dosage:

Tincture: Take1 to 4 ml of California Poppy before bed as needed for sleep.

Infusion: Use 1 to 2 tsp. of dried California Poppy and pour 1 cup of boiling water over it and let infuse for approximately 10 minutes.