eschscholzia californica

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum:  

Actions:  

California poppy is known for its anxiolytic properties and to relieve stress. It is an alkaloid, including protopine and californidine, which have mild sedative effects. This is an excellent alternative to those people who suffer from mild anxiety and do not want to take strong sedatives. 

California poppy is sometimes used to aid sleeping because of the sedating property. Alternatively, it’s usually combined with other herbs forming a sleep tea blend, or else it’s taken by itself as a natural treatment of insomnia or the trouble of falling asleep. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Sleepiness 

Slow breathing 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning  

Taking an excessive amount of california poppy is likely to slow down the central nervous system when used simultaneously with other drugs or anesthesia. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:  

Drug interactions 

Pregnancy and breast-feeding 

Hypersensitivity 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: 

Pregnancy consideration:   

No data is available regarding the administration of the drug during pregnancy.  

Breastfeeding warnings:   

No data is available regarding the excretion of drugs in breast milk.  

Pregnancy category:  

• Category A: well-controlled and satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.  
• Category B: There was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.  
•  Category C: There was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.   
•  Category D: Adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence, these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.  
• Category N: No data for the drug under this category is available.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:  

California poppy is known for its anxiolytic properties and to relieve stress. It is an alkaloid, including protopine and californidine, which have mild sedative effects. This is an excellent alternative to those people who suffer from mild anxiety and do not want to take strong sedatives. 

Pharmacokinetics:  

Limited data available  

Adminstartion

Administration:  

The drug is taken orally. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet  

Generic Name: eschscholzia californica 

Why do we use eschscholzia californica?  

California poppy has been a popular health remedy due to its ability to induce sedation and reduces pain. This practice mainly used for calming effect, getting rid of anxiety, or improving sleep. It contains chemicals e.g. alkaloids and flavonoids that form upon hydrolysis, contributing to its medical properties.