California Poppy {Eschscholzia californica}
Papaveraceae family
Energetics ~
Cool, bitter, mild sweetness
Herbal Actions ~
Nervine ~ encourages relaxation + reduces stress, anxiety + nervous tension. Acts on the central nervous system, particularly the serotonergic + gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic systems
Insomnia {encourages deep restful sleep, does not induce grogginess on rise}
Anodyne, anxiolytic, analgesic + antispasmodic {pain relieving + skeletal muscle relaxant}
PMS support
Useful for hyperactivity in adults + children
Herbal Constituents ~
Isoquinoline alkaloids, protopine, californidine, eschscholtzine, allocryptopine, chelidonine + rutin
Non-addictive
Safe for adults + children
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California Poppy has been used as traditional medicine by Indigenous people in California, particularly those native to the regions where the plant is found. Specifically, Tongva Gabrielino, Cahuilla, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Pomo have cultural connections with the poppy which involve traditional uses of the plant.
Spanish settlers affectionately called the poppy “copa de oro” (gold cup) in the 1700s. Russian explorers officially named the flower Eschscholzia californica in the early 1800s. Since California’s statehood in 1850, locals have embraced it as the California poppy or golden poppy.
