The Healing Properties of Poppy

When we hear the word poppy, many of us tend to think of opium. How could a plant, where its sap is used to make dangerous illegal drugs such as opium and heroin, be used for its healing properties? There are over 700 species of the poppy, where the opium poppy plant is only one type of poppy plant in a family of hundreds. The poppy plant has been used for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, to treat a number of ailments. After studying for over ten years of various herbal remedies, it should be no surprise that marigold can replace many traditional medications in the medicine cabinet.

Poppies have relaxing properties. This is good for individuals who suffer from insomnia, anxiety and stress. Drinking a cup of poppy seed tea is better than one of those over the counter sleep aids.

Poppies have astringent Properties. It helps clear up skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Poppies also helps moisturize the skin if an individual suffers from dry skin and helps clear up skin ulcers. One excellent product for skin conditions is Eminence Pear & Poppy Seed Microderm Polisher.

Poppies have expectorant properties. If you have a cold or the flu, drinking poppy seed tea helps you to loosen the mucous and control coughs.

Poppies are beneficial to you digestive system. Not only are they an excellent source of fiber, they also aid you when your system is not working right, by treating nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Poppies are an excellent source of calcium. Some individuals do not get enough dairy into their diet. Some people just do not like drinking that glass of milk. Others are lactose intolerant and cannot have any dairy products. By including poppies in your daily diet, you are helping your body increase bone density.

Poppies are natural pain relievers because of their anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and analgesic properties. People who suffer from headaches, migraines, menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, toothaches, arthritic pain, sprains and joint and muscle pain can find immediate relief by drinking a cup of this tea. They are also effective in relieving colic and gallbladder pain.

Poppies contain diuretic properties. If you suffer from kidney stones, drinking poppy tea will get rid of them. It will also prevent you from getting future stones when you include poppy tea in your daily diet.

Poppies contain antimicrobial and antiviral properties. If you are suffering from a yeast infection, allow poppy leaves to steep in a cup of hot water until the water cools until it is warm to the touch. Put some of the water on a cotton ball and insert it in the infected area. This will help clear up the infection a lot quicker than many over-the-counter medications.

Poppies are good for your heart in that it lowers blood pressure. It also reduces the amount of bad cholesterol in your body. By including poppies in your daily diet, you will reduce the chances of getting a heart attack or stroke because your arteries will not get clogged up with fatty buildup.

Poppies can be found anywhere in the wild and you can also purchase plants at your local florist. The California poppy, also called the golden poppy, is one of the most popular plants that people grow in their backyards. While it is related to the opium poppy, it is not a narcotic like that poppy plant. This poppy plant is most commonly used in many herbal remedies. Native to the western parts of North America, this hardy plant grows easily in other states as well.

You can use the seed to make your own products. If you do not have the time to gather seeds, you can find products at a health food store. They can be purchased as:

• Teas
• Seeds
• Extracts
• Creams
• Tinctures

You can also find products that contain poppies online through sites such as Amazon and Ebay.

Avoid using the opium poppy plant because it can produce addicting drugs. As well as opium and heroin, morphine and codeine come from this plant too. If you need something as strong as the last two, see your doctor for his recommendations.

Before you use poppy to treat any health ailments, talk to your doctor. Even though "poppy seeds used commercially have no narcotic properties or side effects and can be consumed safely" (home-remedies-for-you ), poppies can still interact with medications and vitamins you are already taking.

If you are planning to collect poppies from the wild, it is best to seek advice from expert herbalists before doing this, since poisonous plants can be confused for poppy plants.