California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is being studied for the treatment of insomnia, pain, nervous agitation, bed-wetting in children, and diseases of the bladder and liver (1).
It is also known for its use to help to promote relaxation.
California poppy is a plant that is native to southwestern United States. While it is often confused with the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), Eschscholzia californica is related, but much more gentle (2).
Benefits
While there is no scientific evidence that shows the efficacy of California poppy on its own, early studies suggest that when it is used in combination with other herbs and minerals, it shows promise for the management of various conditions (3).
Natural compounds and unique alkaloids found in the California poppy, namely protopine and allocryptopine, appear to interact with a variety of receptors in powerful ways.
Researchers stress that their understanding of California poppy and its biological effects at the molecular level is still lacking and that much more research is needed (4).
California poppy may help in treating anxiety. Early research reveals the efficacy of California poppy on alleviating anxiety when used in combination with other herbs and the mineral magnesium.
In a study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Current Medical Research and Opinion, 264 patients presenting with mild-to-moderate generalized anxiety were randomly assigned to two groups; one group was given a combination of Crataegus oxyacantha (hawthorn), Eschscholtzia californica (California poppy) and magnesium and the other was given a placebo. What the researchers found is that the preparation containing fixed quantities of hawthorn, California poppy and magnesium proved safe and more effective than the placebo in treating mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders (5).
This combination product, called Sympathyl, is not yet available in the US (6), but is prescribed in Europe and available on the internet.
California poppy may help promote sleep. Doses above 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract of California poppy in rats have shown to provide sedative properties, relaxation and the induction of sleep (7).
California poppy may benefit those suffering from depression. In addition to having a promising effect on anxiety, protopine and allocryptopine alkaloids were also found to block human serotonin and noradrenaline transporters and possess antidepressant-like effects on animal testing models (8).
California poppy shows early promise in cancer treatment. The peer-reviewed journal, Clinical Cancer Research, reported on the potential for the alkaloid chelerythrine as an antitumor drug against squamous cell carcinoma (9). One study demonstrated that chelerythrine exhibited cytotoxic activity against nine human tumor cell lines tested in vitro and treatment with chelerythrine in mice was associated with significant tumor growth delay. Further, treatment resulted in minimal toxicity (10). The alkaloid sanguinarine has been used to study prostate cancer cells, and initial results show that sanguinarine may be developed as part of future treatment for the management of prostate cancer (11).
Side effects
While preliminary studies show that the preparation of hawthorn, Eschscholtzia californica and magnesium is generally safe for managing anxiety, further research is necessary to determine the safety and side effects of this combination. California poppy is classified as a dietary supplement (not a drug), and is, therefore, less strictly regulated by the FDA than drugs.
California poppy can slow down the central nervous system. When taken with sedative medications, it might cause excessive sleepiness and other effects. Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal) and zolpidem (Ambien) (12). There is some concern that when it is combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery, it might slow down the central nervous system too much. Always let your physician know that you are taking it before a scheduled surgery (13).
Recommended dosage
Currently, scientific research on California poppy is too limited to support any supplemental usage.
It is important to remember that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages and length of use is important. As with any medication or supplement, it is always best to first consult with your physician or other healthcare professional before use. Until there is more information on its effects, it is not recommended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women (14).
Recap
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a plant that is native to western parts of North America. When used in combination with fixed quantities of hawthorn, California poppy and magnesium, early studies show it to have a sedative and anti-anxiety effect. This combination product is known as Sympathyl and is not available in the United States.
Further research is needed to confirm that California poppy is effective and safe for use. Before considering taking California poppy as a sleep aid or for anti-anxiety, discuss with your physician your plans to do so and to find out if you have underlying conditions that may contraindicate taking California poppy (15).
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