Californian Poppy Aerial Part PE 3-4/1

Eschscholzia Californica Cham

1. #Properties#
   

   The properties of californian poppy

   
   
   Eschscholtzia, Eschscholzia Californica Cham. from its Latin name, is a perennial and annual plant, native to the Pacific coast. Native Americans already boiled and roasted eschscholtzia leaves on hot stones, which they ate like vegetables. The Latin name of eschscholtzia came from the botanist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz. Also called California poppy, eschscholtzia was introduced to Europe in the 19th century as an ornamental plant. Its leaves were used against colic or toothaches. Eschscholtzia belongs to the family of Papaveraceae, herbaceous plants producing fruits in the shape of capsules containing latex. It is also part of the list of medicinal plants traditionally used and listed in the French Pharmacopoeia.
   
   
   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.
2. #Species and parts used#
   

   Species and parts of californian poppy used

   
   
   At Natural Origins, our ingredient Eschscholzia Californica Cham. comes either from the entire aerial parts of the plant or only from the flowering tops. This plant consists of a 30 cm high tuft, slightly bluish leaves and flowers with yellow to orange corollas which close at dusk. Unlike other Papaveraceae, the latex of Eschscholzia Californica Cham. is not used. In this Californian poppy, we favour the flowering aerial parts of the plant which contain the active ingredients used in herbal medicine.
3. #Origin & quality#
   

   Origin and quality of californian poppy

   
   
   
   At Natural Origins, Eschscholzia Californica Cham. is grown in France and harvested mechanically in July, during flowering. After spraying and possibly heat treatment of the selected parts (flowering tops or aerial parts), our ingredients retain all their active properties.
4. #Country of origin#

   
   Country of origin of Natural Origins' californian poppy
   

   
   France
   
5. #Harvest period#
   

   Californian poppy harvest time

   
   
   May, June, optimal period July
   August, optimal period September
   Possible in good years: end of September optimal October
   
6. #Best availability period at Natural Origins#
   

   Period of californian poppy's optimal availability at Natural Origins

   
   
   May