California Poppy

Eschscholziae californica, California Poppy.  

California Poppy consists of the above-ground parts of Eschscholzia californica Chamisso [Fam.  Papaveraceae], as well as preparations thereof.  

The drug contains alkaloids.  Its principal alkaloid is cryptopine.  Cryptopine, at a concentration of 1:1,000,000, should have a stimulating action on the uterus in guinea pigs.  

In mice, an intraperitoneal application of tincture (equivalent to 130 mg drug/kg of body weight) produces a reduction in spontaneous motility, as well as a prolongation of pentobarbital-induced sleep.  

Using the jejunum of the rat as testing system, the addition of tincture (equivalent to 1.75 mg of drug/ml) prevents spasms induced by administration of BaCl₂.  

Clinical Data

Combinations containing up to 5 components:

1. California Poppy herb, valerian root, St.  John's Wort, passionflower herb, hollowroot-birthwort.  

2. California Poppy herb, lemon balm leaf, night-blooming cereus, yohimbe bark, horned poppy herb, 2 homeopathic drugs.
3. California Poppy herb, valerian root, buckthorn bark, mallow flower, peppermint leaf, garden sage leaf, cornflower flower, lemon balm leaf, hibiscus leaf, hops, squill, sweet clover, rosemary leaf, lavender flower, passionflower herb, hawthorn leaf with flower, rose flower, oat straw.  

1. Reactive, agitated and masked depressions, melancholy, neurasthenia, neuropathy, organ neurosis.
2. Vegetative-dystonic disturbances, imbalances, foehn illness, vasomotor dysfunction, vegetative-endocrine syndrome, constitutional lability of the nervous system, vasomotor cephalgia, sensitivity to changes of the weather.
3. Sleep-inducing and sedating tea.  

Use during pregnancy and lactation:

Experiments pertaining to the use during pregnancy are not available.  Based on its pharmacological activity, this drug should be avoided during pregnancy.  

Medical and/or clinical reports and other material of empirical medicine concerning the phytotherapeutic application of California Poppy is not available.  Since the effectiveness for the claimed uses is not documented, a therapeutic application cannot be recommended.