Papaver
rhoeas Linn
Fam., Papaveraceae.
Related Link
Opium
and It's Preparations
Common Names: Flores Rhoeados; Flos
Papaveris; Corn Poppy.
Part Used: Petals and Capsules.
Medicinal Usage: Anodyne and expectorant.
Preparations: Extract, Tincture, Infusion and a Syrup. Formerly it
was official in many national pharmacopeias in the form of a bright red
syrup e.g. Syrup of Red Poppy.
Habitat: The Red Poppy is a native of Europe and the British Isles.
The poppy is also naturalised in North America. It grows in great abundance,
especially on disturbed ground.
Constituents: The ripe fresh capsules
contain the same milky sap that is found in the Asiatic, Papaver
somniferum. Extracts prepared from them have been found to exhibit the
properties of Opium. The quantities of alkaloids present tend to be
variable. However the amounts recovered does not cover the cost of
preparation. The major alkaloids present are, isorhoeadine,
papaverrubines, protopine, rhoeadine and stylopine.
Notes: The major alkaloid present is rhoeadine, which is sparingly
soluble in water and alcohol. Its tinctorial powers are prodigious. 1 part
in 10,000 of water, will turn the water a purplish red. 1 part in 200,000 of
water will produce a rose red solution. Even dilutions of 1 in 800,000 will
produce a distinct red hue. Although the preparations are no longer
official, The Red Poppy is still widely used in folk medicine. The seeds are
utilised for the preparation of fine fixed oils.
The Extra Pharmacopoeia (Br) 1958.
