What Is California Poppy?
California poppy or Eschscholzia californica is a member of the poppy family native to North America. It is most widely distributed across the grassy areas of California, Mexico, and Oregon, and was adopted as the California State Flower in 1890. In addition to being seen abundantly in its native range, the California poppy can also be cultivated, and it is a popular flower for use in revegetation and highway beautification projects. Wild California poppies are orange to golden in color, with distinctive showy cup-shaped flowers and feathery greenish-blue foliage. They are annuals, readily reseeding themselves to spread as they find an area they thrive in. In temperate climates, a California poppy can bloom almost year round, while the blooming period may be restricted to the summer in regions with cooler winters. Generally, California poppies will grow well in USDA zones six through 10. The flowers only bloom during the day, closing up at night or in cloudy conditions when there is no
California poppy is a flowering plant that is native to the western United States and Mexico. It is used medicinally as an herbal supplement and is claimed to treat insomnia, anxiety, depression, and several other problems. Although related to opium poppy, it is not a narcotic and cannot be used to make opium.
A non-addictive cousin of the opium poppy, it comes from the state flower of California. The Native Americans used the flowers and leaves for pain relief and other health applications. Today it is used as a gentle soothing remedy for children and the elderly. It has shown promise in treating behavioral disorders such as ADD and ADHD. In addition to its calming effects, it can improve concentration and intellectual capacity. It can also improve memory in young children and the elderly. California poppy extract can also treat anxiety and stress as well as relieve headaches and insomnia. Are California Poppy Seeds the best option? The extract is generally regarded as safe, with no averse side effects known. However, there are herbal extracts which have been more extensively researched that may provide more therapeutic benefits. For more information on these medicinal herbs, visit our ADD/ADHD medications or our herbs for stress sections. As with all health supplements, be sure to consult
