CALIFORNIA POPPY

Discover and harness the abundant benefits of this dazzling orange beauty

California poppy is the common name for the annual herb Eschscholzia californica. Unlike traditional red poppies, the California poppy boasts bright orange petals.

Named as the state flower of California in 1903, this pretty plant has a whole host of natural benefits. In herbal medicine, the aerial parts of the plant – including the leaves, stem and flowers – are used as a treatment for anxiety, and as a mild sedative, analgesic and sleep-inducer. It’s also been hailed a natural pain-reliever, assisting with the management of nerve-generated pain such as neuralgia, sciatica, toothache and tension headaches, as well as being helpful in combatting panic attacks, insomnia and emotional stress.

This month, our resident expert, medical herbalist and chair of the British Herbal Medicine Association, Chris Etheridge, talks us through the benefits of this popular flower.

Relieve anxiety

‘One of California poppy’s most renowned benefits is its ability to help relax you,’ says Etheridge. ‘An early study, in 2006, found that compounds known as alkaloids in California poppy behave in a similar manner to diazepam, suggesting it might have a comparable effect to the drug, which is used to calm nerves. This may be a welcome addition to your herbal medicine cabinet after two years of living through a global pandemic!

Chill out

‘As well as easing anxiety, California poppy has been proven to aid sleep. Studies have shown that California poppy, either alone or in combination with other sleep-aiding herbs, can be useful in treating cases of insomnia. One study of patients with clinically diagnosed insomnia showed that a mix of California poppy and valerian extracts increased sleep efficiency by six per cent, decreasing the number of times people woke in the night by 25 per cent and reducing anxiety by up to 50 per cent. Impressive figures, and proof of the potency of this little orange powerhouse!’ bhma.info

Did you know, California poppy flowers are edible, and can be added to salads or used as a garnish, in dishes such as soups and stews?