California Poppy is a bright orange flower native to North America. The official state flower of California, it is a popular ornamental plant. But did you know that this flower also has health benefits? Let’s find out more about California Poppy and what it can do for your wellbeing.
What is California Poppy?
California Poppy – known by its latin name Eschscholzia californica – is a member of the Papaveraceae family. It resembles the red poppy, but is smaller and its diaphanous colours vary from light yellow to orange. It has a mildly sedative and non-addictive effect and it contains various alkaloids, such as protopine and allocryptopine, which act on GABA receptors in the brain. GABA receptors are involved in the regulation of sleep, relaxation, and pain. California Poppy has been used for centuries by Native Americans and European settlers for its calming and analgesic properties. It is nowadays available as a dietary supplement in the form of a tincture, capsule, or tea.
What are the health benefits of California Poppy?
Highly valued for its anxiety and stress relieving properties, California Poppy is often combined with other calming herbs – such as valerian, chamomile, and lemon balm – which enhance its effectiveness. California Poppy may offer great support if you are suffering from stress, anxiety, insomnia, or mild pain.
Here are some of the potential benefits of this plant:
1. Improves your sleep quality
If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, California Poppy can help you get a better night’s rest as it improves sleep quality and duration in people with insomnia. It may also help you fall asleep faster and spend more time in deep sleep, which will make you feel more rested when you wake up. California Poppy increases GABA receptor activity, promoting relaxation and sleepiness. It may also reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can interfere with sleep.
If you want to find out more about how to get better rest, have a look at our article about improving sleep.
2. Helps you to cope better with pain
California Poppy can also help manage mild to moderate pain such as headaches, toothaches, as well as muscle and joint pain. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing pain perception and inflammation. It also acts as a muscle relaxant and relieves spasms. The plant may be especially helpful for those who cannot tolerate or are unwilling to use conventional pain relievers such as opioids and NSAIDs. It is generally safe and does not cause addiction or dependence.
3. Reduces your anxiety levels
Mental wellness and balance are just as important as physical health. When you’re feeling anxious, tense, or stressed, California Poppy can help you calm down and relax. It has anti-anxiety properties that reduce stress levels and improve mood. It can also help deal with symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). California Poppy may work by modulating the activity of serotonin and dopamine – two neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation. It can also balance the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems that control the fight-or-flight and rest-or-digest responses.
If you want to find out more about how to boost your brain functions, read The Deep Root Of Your Well-Being.
4. Improves your cognitive skills
California Poppy is an excellent plant for both kids and adults as it sharpens cognitive abilities including memory and focus, which can help those studying, taking exams, or with busy work schedules.
Besides all these benefits, the Medical Medium also emphasises that “California Poppy is also known to help reduce high fever, rapid pulse, and spasmodic coughs. California Poppy contains antimicrobial properties which makes it excellent for applying to cuts, wounds, and skin ailments. California Poppy powder can be mixed with coconut oil as a natural treatment for the elimination of head lice. California Poppy tea is wonderful to drink before bed to help prepare the body for a full and restful night’s sleep.”
How to introduce California Poppy into your diet
A simple tea before bedtime can bring you the relaxation you need for a good rest. Simply bring a cup of water to boiling point, then add two teaspoons of dried California Poppy and let the tea steep for at least 10 minutes. You can sweeten it with raw honey or maple syrup, and add a slice of lemon if you wish.
If you want a more concentrated option, you can try the pure and potent California Poppy extract from Hawaii Pharm, which can be added to tea, water, or juice.
California Poppy is a beautiful flower that is good for your health, improving sleep quality, relieving pain, and reducing anxiety. It is generally considered safe when used in appropriate doses for short periods of time. However, it should be used with caution and under the supervision of a physician to avoid unwanted effects and interactions. If you’re looking for a natural, safe way to improve your health, try California Poppy. You can buy it online or in health food stores as a dietary supplement or tea. Use it responsibly and enjoy its benefits!
