Scientific name
Eschscholtzia californica
Family
Papaveraceae
Origin
California and Mexico
Synonyms
California poppyParts Used
Drug given by the aerial parts
Chemical constituents
- Benzylisoquinoline and benzophentridinic alkaloids (the main alkaloid contained in the plant is californidine, but berberine, protopine, cryptopine, chelidonin, sanguinarine, escholtzin, glaugin are also present);
- Flavonoids (including a derivative of quercetin and isoramnetina);
- Phytosterols;
- Carotenoids;
- Zinc;
- Xanthine pigments;
- Cyanogenic glycosides (present in the freshly harvested plant).
Escolzia in Herbalist: Property of Escolzia
The escolzia contains alkaloids which act on the central nervous system, exerting a sedative action. However, precisely because of the presence of these same alkaloids, the plant and its preparations must be used with caution, particularly in chronic use or in any case prolonged over time, especially in children and the elderly.
