California poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Other names: golden poppy, Eschscholziae californicae herba
Photo credit: Kaldari / Wikimedia Commons
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Low at traditional doses. Contains alkaloids; not associated with the strong opioid effects of true opium poppy (no morphine-type alkaloids).
Contraindications: Pregnancy and lactation - not recommended (insufficient data; alkaloid content). Not recommended in children/adolescents under 18. Caution with hypersensitivity.
Interactions: Theoretical additive sedation with CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, alcohol, other sedatives). Some in vitro data suggest possible MAO/CYP interactions - clinical relevance unclear; caution advised.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: not recommended in pregnancy and lactation (insufficient data; alkaloid content)
Evidence level
Documented in systematic traditional medicine literature.
Preparations
infusion · aerial parts
Part used: aerial parts
Traditional use: mild mental-stress symptoms, sleep aid, mild sedative
Proposed mechanism: isoquinoline alkaloids (californidine, escholtzine, protopine)
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
not a nutritional source
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- EMA - final assessment report on Eschscholzia californica Cham., herba (EMA/HMPC)
- Herbal Reality - California Poppy