California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Common Name:

California Poppy, California Sunlight, Cup of Gold

Description/Taxonomy:

California Poppies, are a member of the Poppy family Papaveraceae and are found native to Northern Mexico and Southwestern United States. They are actually the state flower of California.

California poppies are related to the opium poppy, however California poppies are non-addictive.

Cultivation:

California Poppies are a “wild flower” and they enjoy receiving less attention than most other cultivated herbs. These allies prefer a cold stratification process before sowing their seeds in the Earth.

You can directly sow California Poppy straight into your garden beds or start them indoors 3-4 weeks before you want to plant them outside. Like all Poppies, California Poppy does not like to be disturbed much. This means that you shouldn’t disturb their roots. Once they are in a garden bed, it’s best to leave them be. When left alone, often, they will self-seed, producing beautiful blue-green foliage that gives way to bright orange blooms year after year. Plant your California Poppies about 12 inches apart in your garden.

Harvesting:

I prefer to harvest the fresh flowers during summer. Remember by clipping off the flower, you signal to the plant to produce more.

You can also harvest the entire aerial part; stem, leaves, and flower. If this is the method you prefer, leave at least 3 inches of the stem and leaf above ground so it will continue to grow for years to come. Since the flowers are very delicate, you can lay the entire aerial part on a screen to dry. Bundling and hanging to dry doesn’t work well for these delicate allies.

History:

In the 1800s, visitors to the California coast described the hills as "golden" because of the blanket of California poppies visible from the waters off the coast. Early Spanish explorers called the plant 'copa del ora,' which means 'cup of gold,' after the legend which said that the orange petals of California filled the soil with gold.

Traditionally, Native Americans used the California poppy for both food and medicine. Some groups boiled or steamed the plants to be eaten as a green vegetable. Other indigenous peoples used the California poppy to treat various illnesses such as toothaches, headaches, sores, to kill lice, and as a sedative for babies.

Spiritual Uses:

The California Poppy flower essence is one of the key remedies to deal with patterns of addiction, restless seeking and experimentation, along with ever-fluctuating desires.

Parts Used:

Aerial part of plant (stems, leaves, and flowers)

Herbal Actions:

Nervine Hypnotic:

In general, nervines relax, calm, and sedate the nervous system. California Poppy is a hypnotic nervine and therefore may induce sleepiness. This is the nervine you may want to work with for insomnia, extreme anxiety, or addictive behaviors. The hypnotic nervine properties also work well for relaxing tension during injuries and even for little ones when they are experiencing restlessness during a fever. 

Antispasmodic:

Antispasmodics treat muscle spasms, cramping and tension. Since California Poppy is a hypnotic nervine, it has a direct affect on smooth muscles and most likely works via the central nervous system.

Anodyne:

The simple definition of an Anodyne, is an herb that relieves pain. It is good to realize that these are not NSAID and do not make you pain free. Instead, anodyne's like California Poppy work on the nervous system and relieve pain through their antispasmodic and hypnotic affect. California Poppy helps to calm the mind and body in general and will decrease pain through this method of extreme relaxation.

Energetics:

Cooling + Drying

Medicinal Benefits:

Internal:

Headaches

Muscle Pain

Cramps

Restlessness

Tension

Anxiety

Insomnia

Externally:

Sore Joints

Restless Leg

Abdominal Cramping

This ally has specific alkaloids present that will also soothe an “anxious heart.” You may consider using this herb in remedies for heart palpitations caused by stress.

I personally find California Poppy to be one of the most superior Earth Medicines for calming the racy mind and soothing the overactive nervous system.

Cautions/Contraindications:

California Poppy is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is also not recommended for those taking heart medications.

Dosage and Method of Delivery:

Tea: steep 2-3 tsp. per cup of hot water for 15 minutes.

Tincture: 1-2 droppersful, 2-3 times daily

Glycerin: 1-2 droppersful, 2-3 times daily

Vinegar: 1 Tbsp. daily

Topical: Crafted into an infused oil for massage or into a salve as a muscle rub