California poppy has a distinct cup-shaped flower of four petals held by fringed green leaves and ranges in color from bright yellow to deep orange, resembling a golden sunset.
- Common Name: California Poppy
- Latin Name: Eschscholzia californica
- Family: Papaveraceae
Habitat & Cultivation: California poppy is native to North America and can be found growing wild across the western states into Canada and on the east coast. Widely cultivated as a garden plant, it is extremely hardy and drought tolerant, and prefers dry, sandy soil and very high sun.
Plant Constituents: California poppy contains an array of alkaloids that have mild sedative, hypnotic, pain-killing, and antispasmodic properties that provide gentle support and equilibrium to the nervous system.
History & Folklore: Native Americans were known to use California poppy for its pain-killing properties, particularly for toothache. The leaves were also eaten as a vegetable. Early settlers used California poppy for sleep problems and for whooping cough. It is also the state flower of California.
Medicinal Use: Though the California poppy is a close relation of the opium poppy, it has a significantly different effect on the central nervous system. Rather than disorienting the user, it actually tends to normalize psychological function. California poppy’s gentle antispasmodic, sedative, and analgesic effects make it a valuable herbal medicine for treating physical and psychological problems. The herb is considered an excellent nervine that is beneficial in attempts to overcome nervous tension, agitation, anxiety, and difficulty in sleeping.
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
We use Cali poppy in our sleep tea. If you are looking for a natural sleep-aid or anxiety relief, I highly recommend this gentle, nourishing herb. If you prefer to make your own tea blend, I will share a simple recipe below for you to try.
Rosemary Gladstar’s Soothing Cali Poppy Tea Blend
- 1 part California poppy
- 1 part Chamomile
- 1 part Milky Oat tops
- ½ part Marshmallow root
Steep herbs in hot water for 3–4 minutes. Strain. Sweeten with raw honey (optional). And, enjoy as often as needed to soothe stress and anxiety.
Want to learn more? Visit our Apothecary in person! We love making custom tea blends and talking about the many benefits of herbs 🙂
Sources: Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier, Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.