California Poppy

Last Updated: September 28 2022

California Poppy is an herb that has some bioactive alkaloids which may be nootropic or cognitive enhancing in nature; It is currently in the exploratory stages of research.

California Poppy is most often used for

Summary

California Poppy is a common plant in North and South America that has some traditional usage as a sedative and anxiolytic when made as a tea. Two rat studies have observed sedatory and anxiolytic actions, and one human study showed some promise to this claim but conclusions cannot be drawn since it also used another herb in conjunction with California Poppy.

In the preliminary stages of research, the unique alkaloid profile of California Poppy appears to interact with a variety of receptors in potent ways. The vast majority of these leads have not been further investgiated, and conclusions (especially on Serotonin) cannot be drawn at this point in time.

Currently, California Poppy is too preliminary to support any supplemental usage.

What else is California Poppy known as?
Note that California Poppy is also known as:
  • California Poppy
  • Eschscholzia Californica
Dosage information

There is currently not enough evidence to support an optimal dose of California Poppy. The best bet may to simply make tea, which has been apparently used as an anxiolytic and sedative by some people.

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References
1.^Cahlíková L, Kucera R, Host'álková A, Klimes J, Opletal LIdentification of pavinane alkaloids in the genera Argemone and Eschscholzia by GC-MSNat Prod Commun.(2012 Oct)
3.^Gafner S, Dietz BM, McPhail KL, Scott IM, Glinski JA, Russell FE, McCollom MM, Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Bergeron C, Rhyu MR, Bolton JLAlkaloids from Eschscholzia californica and their capacity to inhibit binding of {3H}8-Hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin to 5-HT1A receptors in VitroJ Nat Prod.(2006 Mar)
9.^Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, Younos C, Misslin R, Mortier F, Pelt JMBehavioural effects of the American traditional plant Eschscholzia californica: sedative and anxiolytic propertiesPlanta Med.(1991 Jun)
10.^Rolland A, Fleurentin J, Lanhers MC, Misslin R, Mortier FNeurophysiological effects of an extract of Eschscholzia californica Cham. (Papaveraceae)Phytother Res.(2001 Aug)
11.^Cahlíková L, Macáková K, Kunes J, Kurfürst M, Opletal L, Cvacka J, Chlebek J, Blundene GAcetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory compounds from Eschscholzia californica (Papaveraceae)Nat Prod Commun.(2010 Jul)