Eschscholtzia, also nicknamed "sleep restorative plant", is generally indicated to treat this type of disorders [1]: difficulty falling asleep, restless nights and nocturnal awakenings. For many centuries, eschscholtzia has been used for its sedative properties. This amazing plant has many virtues, including a strong soothing power and action reducing nervousness.
This American poppy has a composition very rich in alkaloids, including the eschscholtzine and californidine pavines, which improveme the quality of sleep[2]. These pavines contained in Eschscholzia Californica represent 85% of the alkaloids present in the plant and are responsible for its sedative and anxiolytic effects. The other pavins are caryachine, bisnorargemonine and norargemonine. Eschscholzia Californica alkaloids are derivatives of L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine. Sanguinarine is another alkaloid present, which displays antimicrobial activity as well as cytotoxic and antiviral properties.
California poppy promotes sleep based on its anxiolytic properties, fights against early morning awakening and increases sleep duration. These neurosedative properties are partly due to protopine, an alkaloid, and its derivatives: cryptopine, alpha-allocryptopine (located in the aerial parts) and beta-allocryptopine (from the roots). Protopine enhances GABA binding to central receptors, resulting in a sedative effect. [3]
Eschscholtzia also contains powerful antioxidants, flavonoids and carotenoids, as well as essential plant lipids for the body, phytosterols. Flavonic glycosides from the plant pigments are responsible for the colouring of flowers. They are composed of flavones, isoflavones and rutin. The carotenoids found in California poppy are eschscholtzxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, auroxanthin and beta-carotene. Eschscholtzia also has cyanogenic glycosides, triglochinin and linamarin, as well as organic acids. Finally, eschscholtzia is recommended to relieve intestinal spasms and colic related to anxiety.
These anxiolytic, sedative and hypnotic properties make California poppy an essential natural ingredient for serene and replenishing sleep. This plant represents a health asset and a natural alternative to fight effectively against sleep disorders. It is found in phytotherapy in several galenics: infusion, mother tincture, fluid extract and capsules.
[1] Hennebelle T, Sahpaz S, Bailleul F. Plantes sédatives: évaluation pharmacologique et clinique. Médecine du sommeil. 2007
[2] Rolland A. Etude pharmacologique et contribution à l’étude botanique et chimique d’Eschscholzia californica Cham. [Thèse]. Metz : Université de Metz ; 1988. 504 p
[3] Schäfer HL, Schäfer H, Schneider W et al. Sedative action of extract combinations of Eschscholtzia californica and Corydalis cava. Arzneimittelforschung. 1995 ; 45 (2) : 124 6.