How to Identify the Poppy Family
The Characteristics and Medicinal Properties of Poppy Plants
Nov 5, 2008
Poppies became popular as a symbol after the First World War; there was an abundance of poppy fields on the Western Front of Europe where many battles took place and they soon became mass grave sites for the casualties of war. Shortly after the end of the war, the sale of paper poppies began to honor those soldiers who lost their lives and to help the families of the soldiers. Every year, Veteran's Day (November 11) is now marked by the wearing of a red poppy.
Common Characteristics of the Poppy Family
The Poppy family (Papaveraceae) belongs to the Dicotyledoneae plant class, a subdivision of the Angiosperms of the plant kingdom; literally translated Dicotyledoneae means two-seed-plant-class. Paleontologists have established that the first flowering plants were Dicotyledoneae. There are 26 genera and 200 species of poppies world wide; in North America, there are 13 genera of the poppy.
Poppies are characteristic of the Dicotyledoneae class in that they are regular flowers with two to three separate sepals and either four, eight, or twelve separate petals. They have numerous stamens; the ovary of the poppy matures as a capsule which contains lots of small seeds. Poppies are common in the South Western United States.
Medicinal Properties of Poppies
Many Poppy family members contain narcotic alkaloids and an acrid latex sap, the basis of the derivatives used to make the drugs codeine, heroin and morphine; opium is found in the species of Papaver somniferum. The beneficial effects of narcotics include analgesic properties to suppress pain, sedation and numbing of the central nervous system.
The following types of poppies have a number of uses and properties:
- California Poppy (Eschscholzia) – containing narcotic isoquinoline alkaloids, the California poppy is said to be both an edible pot herb and is capable of producing a mildly sedative and analgesic tea; however, too much of the tea can result in a hangover!
- Prickly Poppy (Argemone) – producing an acrid plant juice which is used to burn off warts, the seeds of the Prickly poppy are also supposed to be edible; a mildly narcotic tea is produced from the seeds or the leaves of the plant. Externally, the Prickly poppy is beneficial as an analgesic wash for sunburn; internally, it has sedative and antispasmodic properties.
- Poppy (Papaver) – the poppy has edible seeds which are used for seasoning; however, some species have minute quantities of opium present. A medicinal syrup is obtained by boiling the poppy flower petals; as it is slightly narcotic, effects may include sedative yet hallucinogenic properties.
- Bloodroot (Sanguinaria) – the uses of Bloodroot include anesthetic properties, stimulation of menstruation, improving circulation by diluting the blood vessels and helping with bronchial infection. However, the plant is narcotic, producing sedative effects which could be fatal in excess; therefore, professional administration should be sought. The roots and the plant produce expectorant properties in small amounts but can be nauseating in larger doses.Bloodroot contains narcotic opium-like alkaloids capable of suppressing the central nervous system. If the root is fresh or dried powdered, it can be used to treat cuts, warts, sores and skin eruptions; if the root is crushed it can be used as an insect repellent but as alkaloids can be absorbed through the skin, caution is recommended.
References:
Elpel, Thomas J., 2000 (4th Edition) Botany in a Day USA: Hops Press
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