Poppy Seeds

Botanical Name - Papaner somniferum
Hindi - Postdana
Bengali - Posto
Kannada - Afim
Marathi - Khaskhas


The milky ooze from poppy plant obtained by incision from the unripened capsules (doda) and thickened by spontaneous evaporation, is known as Opium. Opium is one of the most valuable medicines available in the sap of the plants and if properly administered, can serve as a very useful drug. 
Poppy seeds are found in poppy heads. They are recommended in many prescriptions for tonics. The sap of the plan contains oxalic acid and opium which has 25 alkolides, the chief being morphine, codeine, thelaine, narcotine, narceine and papaverine.

Poppy Seeds Head  (DODA)

Nutritional Value (Per 100gm) -

Moisture - 4.3 gm 

Calories - 408 KCal

Protein - 21.7 gm

Fat - 19.3 gm

Carbohydrates - 36.8 gm

Crude Fibre - 8.8

Phosphorus - 432 mg

Iron - 15.9 mg

Benefits of Poppy Seeds. 

• Poppy Seeds are effective in thirst, fever, inflammation and irritation of the stomach.
• A teaspoon of poppy seed oil taken every night is effective for the treatment of Insomnia.
• For Dysentery - Home remedy - About quarter teaspoon of the poppy seeds powder are sauted to a golden brown color in honey. taken twice a day, it gives relief from the symptoms. As seeds has sedative effect so they should be not be taken more than three times a day.
• In Pains and Aches - Poppy Seeds on the stalks, which have not been slit to produce opium have soporific properties and are used for relieving pain. They can be used beneficially in - gripping pains of colic, muscular pains, spasm of bowels, irritation of the bladder caused by stones.

Precautions -

Opium can cause great harm if used without proper precautions.