Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

Herbaceous plant, carried quite small, it fails to lift more than half a meter of soil, its stem, fairly straight, hairy, consists of numerous straight hairs. The life cycle does not extend beyond ten months, starting in September, with the first rains, and growing throughout the winter and spring bloom. It seems to be from the Far East and came to our country as a contamination of other grains and seeds that came from those lands, settling successfully in nitrogen-rich land and abandoned fields. Not require any special care.

FLOWERING

The flowering season occurs in spring and summer. The flowers are from a bud to maturity is as down, looking down, position the flower becomes regular, being fully erect. On arrival there is a flowering red bathing in the lands where it grows, providing a pleasant and colorful, but fairly ephemeral, since the flowers have only one day of existence, after which the four petals lose they have. The fruit is a capsule, similar to that of the Papaver somniferum, which belongs to his family. Harvesting is done from May to June, pending the flower fully opens. At that time the petals are gathered by placing them in thin layers by making a quick drying and shade must be removed frequently for better drying.

APPLICATIONS

The part used is the petals, which contain anthocyanin and alkaloid derivatives isoquinoléicos, the latter gives it a mild sedative and spasmodic, as is used in cases of anxiety, insomnia, spasmodic cough situations common in asthmatic process, whooping cough and spasms gastrointestinal. But in the presence of these same alkaloids should not be used with young children unless under medical supervision and discontinuously. These same precautions have to take them into account in case of pregnancy. The seeds are never used, since the amount of alkaloids found in them is very high. The petals also contain mucilage, which gives the plant béquica emollient and therefore reinforces its antitussive action. Often has also been used on skin and eyes in cases of conjunctivitis and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Two grams of dried petals are placed in contact with a quart of boiled water and hot is three minutes left in contact, being able to take up to three times a day. Can also be prepared to apply to eyelids and eye bath.
Fluid extract. They take ten drops in half a glass of water twice a day.
Powder plant. It can take 300 milligrams of powdered and dried petals, throughout the day.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Poppies
HABITAT: Castilla
FLOWERING: March
PART USED: Petals and capsules
CASTILIAN: Ababol
CATALAN: Rosella
BASQUE: Lobedarr
GALICIAN: Papoula-ordinária

USES

Antitussive Moderate, Mild sedative, Mild spasmolytic.