California Poppy ~ take a break with this sweet delight!

This sweetest of sweet flowers is one of my own personal ‘most used’ nervines. It’s helpful to bring calm to stressful times! Read on! California Poppy may be your next favourite herbal ally!
Clients and friends too, have echoed my own experience, sharing that this remedy promotes a wonderful feeling of euphoria and well-being. Can you imagine feeling a little more euphoric? Join the club!!

California Poppy can ease restlessness and promote relaxation. It brings comfort to those feeling apprehensive or fearful. My dear friend and mentor, Annie McIntyre*, calls California Poppy, “ a gentle balancer to the emotions and a calming remedy in times of stress”. You may notice a ‘theme’ in my story, as this balancing effect can be very healing in several areas.

I normally use the tincture, made from flowers but have used the tea when good quality dried flowers have been possible. The tea is quite bitter, so many prefer the tincture. I’ve used ‘solo’ or in an herbal formula for both adults and children.^^

During the day, it alleviates tension, and in the evening, can enhance a restful feeling to inspire a good sleep. It helps to dispel nightmares too, according to clients of all ages! Typically, people who push themselves to the brink of ‘burn out’ and carry a lot of fear, inwardly, can really benefit from this remedy. It is known to calm a rapid heartbeat; I’ve used it when anxiety has caused this symptom but also in cases when peri-menopausal or menopausal women experience palpitations.

Recently I've had a series of heart-related issues and surgeries. Yup. Me.. I took a little time to rest and gather my thoughts. Anxiety was a big part of my day it seemed. I needed to wait a couple of days to feel that I was 'stable' and then it was time to jump into a treatment protocol for myself. I reached for California Poppy and made a formula for myself to ease out of "ANXIOUS" and find some peace.
Thrilled to say it has helped a great deal. Breathe... It has allowed me to sleep better and find some 'calm' in the midst of a scary situation.

The anti-spasmodic traits of California Poppy contribute to this sense of peace, too, calming the muscles and soothing muscular tension. It can ease menstrual cramps. I’ve used it as a part of hypertension treatments, as a total calming of mind and body is helpful to lower high blood pressure. It’s also useful in cases of arthritic pain, nerve pain of all sorts, and headaches. It can alleviate the discomfort of troubling unsettled digestive issues in both adults and children. Try it to relieve colic.

                                                                  Thanks to Amanda from Fresh Bites Daily for this sweet pic!

I’m going to include IBS treatment in my next experiment with California Poppy. It seems like a good idea, in my opinion. That’s a part of the art in ‘herbal medicine’. Herbalists notice a grouping of traits in a plant’s profile, and some that are seemingly unconnected too. We can imagine the beneficial affects possible, so we create a protocol and try it out!

It seems to enhance clarity on several levels in both body and mind. It can be used to enhance concentration, memory and cognitive skills in the elderly. This is very exciting. I am working on a formula for enhanced memory function and will include this sensational herbal helper!

I’ve not worked with this, but have heard that California Poppy can be helpful for children and young adults with ADD/ADHD challenges. I regret that I don’t have a reference for this comment, as it was a part of a conversation at an herbal event. I include it here, simply to ‘share it forward’ and because it makes sense to me. This herb is calming, gently sedating, balancing, soothing and enhances brain function and cognitive awareness. In Ayurvedic teachings from India, we know that California Poppy is an excellent choice for countering low self-esteem, irritability, self-criticism and OCD. Put all of these ideas together and judge for yourself. I will try this, at some point, to be sure.

I hope that you can see that there’s much to be explored here. Perhaps you have already thought of someone dear to you who can benefit from this sweet flower’s gifts.

Here's an online source for the tincture, if you need it.
Want to make your own medicine? Here's a good online source for California Poppy
or here  from Mountain Rose Herbs.

People speak of feeling such relief, of feeling like they finally are ‘taking a breather’, and a sense of getting a break. The general feedback is like a ‘lull’ in the whirlwind, but without any sort of dullness of mind and always with a feeling of alertness and clarity.

Here are reference points (and glossary if needed) for the basics about California Poppy:

Herbal Actions:

California Poppy ~  Highlights of Uses:
Anxiety
Insomnia
Muscle Spasms
Memory Enhancer

^^Who does NOT want to use California Poppy?
Don’t use if pregnant, breast-feeding or have Glaucoma.
It may or may not be helpful for folks who suffer with depression. Some results are favourable. Other people find that, if they already have very low energy levels, the gentle sedating effects are not helpful.
They may find small doses better or find an herbalist to make a very specific formula to fit their needs.

In our busy lives, may we pause and find that delightful “breath of fresh air” otherwise known as: California Poppy  I hope you’ll play with this special plant ally and step into the zone (of zen!)  

Green Blessings, Carol

Sources:

Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, Misslin R and Mortier F. Neurophysiological Effects of an Extract of Eschscholzia Californica Cham. (Papaveraceae). Phytotherapy Research 15 (5): 377–3810. August 2001.

* Anne McIntyre FNIMH MAPA ~ Medical Herbalist/Ayurvedic practioner
www.annemcintyre.com