California Poppy

Proprietary Source

California Poppy 5:1extract from (California poppy does not contain opium).

Scientific Name

Eschscholzia californica.

Family: Papaveraceae

Immune support

In general, supporting a deep, restful, rejuvenate sleep will support a healthy immune system.

Other uses

Orally, California poppy is used for insomnia, sedation, aches, nervous agitation, enuresis in children, and diseases of the bladder and liver.

In combination with other herbs, California poppy is used orally for depression, neurasthenia, neuropathy, various psychiatric conditions, vasomotor dysfunction, sensitivity to weather changes, and sedation.

How it works

The applicable parts of California poppy are the dried above ground parts. California poppy contains alkaloids, including californine, protopine, californidine, escholtzine, N-methyllaurotetanine, caryachine, and O-methylcaryachine. In vitro research shows that California poppy extract might have peripheral analgesic effects.

Laboratory research also shows that California poppy can prolong sleep time and exhibits spasmolytic, sedative, and anxiolytic activity. The sedative effects of California poppy can be reversed by flumazenil, a benzodiazepine reversal agent. However, California poppy does not seem to demonstrate anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant effects similar to benzodiazepines. In vitro, a 70% ethanol extract of California poppy was able to bind to 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors.

Safety

Aqueous extracts of E. californica have not been shown to induce any toxic effect when administered orally or parenterally in animal studies. No human

Very large dosages could possibly promote light sedation and drowsiness for which the general recommendation to avoid operating heavy machinery would apply.

Any pavarine alkaloid–containing plants may cause drug tests to be positive for opiate

Interactions with medications

BENZODIAZEPINES

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Theoretically, concomitant use of California poppy with benzodiazepines may cause additive effects and side effects. Some benzodiazepines include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.

CNS DEPRESSANTS

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Theoretically, concomitant use of California poppy with drugs with sedative properties may cause additive effects and side effects

There are no known interactions with foods.

Interactions with Herbs, Supplements, and Foods

Theoretically, concomitant use with supplements that have sedative properties might enhance the therapeutic and adverse effects of California poppy. Some of these supplements include 5-HTP, calamus, catnip, hops, Jamaican dogwood, kava, St. John's wort, skullcap, valerian, yerba mansa, and others. Alcohol (Ethanol) theoretical concomitant consumption of California poppy and alcohol may increase the risk of drowsiness and impair motor skills; avoid concomitant use.

References

Planta Med. 1991;57(3):212–6. Behavioural effects of the American traditional plant Eschscholzia californica: Sedative and anxiolytic properties. Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, et al.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.

Hanus M, Lafon J, Mathieu M. Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders. Curr Med Res Opin 2004;20:63-71.

Paul LD, Springer D, Staack RF, et al. Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of californine and protopine. Eur J Pharmacol 2004;485:69-79.

Paul LD, Maurer HH. Studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of the Eschscholtzia californica alkaloids californine and protopine in urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2003;789:43-57.

Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, et al. Behavioural effects of the American traditional plant Eschscholzia californica: sedative and anxiolytic properties. Planta Med 1991;57:212-6.

Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, et al. Neurophysiological effects of an extract of Eschscholzia californica Cham. (Papaveraceae). Phytother Res 2001;15:377-81.

Gafner, S., Dietz, B. M., McPhail, K. L., Scott, I. M., Glinski, J. A., Russell, F. E., McCollom, M. M., Budzinski, J. W., Foster, B. C., Bergeron, C., Rhyu, M. R., and Bolton, J. L. Alkaloids from Eschscholzia californica and their capacity to inhibit binding of [3H]8-Hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin to 5-HT1A receptors in Vitro. J Nat Prod. 2006;69(3):432-435.