California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a perennial plant found in dry meadows, rocky slopes, and roadsides across the western United States. The plant has feathery blue-green leaves and sunny, golden-orange flowers that open during the day and close in the evening. It has been the state flower of California since 1903 and is both ornamental and medicinal.

In herbal medicine, all of the aerial parts of the plant — stems, leaves, and flowers — are used [1][2]. Traditionally, the plant was harvested when the flowers were in full bloom and the alkaloids in the plant were at their highest concentration. California poppy is a gentle sedative and calming herb. Small doses relieve anxiety and stress while larger doses aid in restful sleep. It has also been used as a toothache remedy and to relieve minor aches and pains. Tincture preparations are the most common, although teas and capsules are also used.

California poppy does not have any narcotic alkaloids like its cousin, the opium poppy. Instead, it contains alkaloids such as californidine, protopine, and eschscholtzine — mild alkaloids that exert their effects on the nervous system without addictive potential [2][3][4]. In fact, the herb was included in some European herbal formulations designed for children’s sleep and relaxation.

California poppy flowers are edible and sometimes used as salad garnish for their color. However, they don’t have any real nutritional value. The real value of this plant is as a calming agent and survivor of dry, sunny places. A symbol of rest and endurance in one.

[1] European Medicines Agency. “Assessment Report on Eschscholzia californica Cham., Herba.” EMA/HMPC/205327/2009, 2014. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-eschscholzia-californica-cham-herba_en.pdf

[2] Chauveau, Antoine, Annelies Geirnaert, Angela Babst, et al. “Alkaloids in Commercial Preparations of California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) — Quantification, Intestinal Permeability and Microbiota Interactions.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 166 (2023): 115420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115420

[3] The Passionate Herbalist. “California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – Monograph.” https://www.thepassionateherbalist.com/monographs/california-poppy

[4] Herb-Pharm. “California Poppy – Prominent Phytochemicals as Reported in Scientific Literature.” https://www.herb-pharm.com/pages/california-poppy