Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

462 Papaver rhoeas L.
P
The seedlings contain an alkaloid
hordenine (beta-p-hydroxyphenethyl
dimethylamine). Saponins afforded
diosgenin and yamogenin isolated
from the leaves.
The grains contain 10–18% of proteins
which include prolamin, glutelin
and smaller amounts of albumin and
globulin. The protein has a biological
value of 56% and a digestibility coefficient
of 91% at 10% level of protein
intake.
In Indian medicine, Chinaaka and
Kangu (Setaria italica L. Beauv.) are
synonyms.
Papaver rhoeas L.
Family ◮ Papaveraceae.
Habitat ◮ Kashmir and throughout
the plains of North India; cultivated
in gardens.
English ◮ Corn Poppy, Red Poppy.
Ayurvedic ◮ Rakta Posta.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Sivappu, Kasakasa.
Folk ◮ Laal Posta, Laal Kaskas.
Action ◮ Latex from capsules—
narcotic. Petal—expectorant,
antitussive, sudorific. Used for
diseases of the respiratory tract, for
disturbed sleep and as a sedative for
the relief of pain. (Included among
unapproved herbs by German
Commission E.)
The petals contain cyanidine derivatives.
An alkaloid rhoeadine is present
in leaves and flowers (0.031%), unripe
capsules (0.035%) and in roots
(0.015%). The capsules contain morphine,
thebine and narcotine and meconic
acid.
Other species, commonly grown
in Indian gardens, are P. nudicaule
Linn. (Iceland Poppy) and P. orientale
(Oriental Poppy). P. nudicaule
plants with yellow flowers are more
cyanogenetic than those with red or
white flowers. P. orientale contains
0.16% alkaloids, which include thebaine,
isothebaine, protopine, glaucidine
and oripavine. Isothebaine stimulates
and later depresses the central
nervous system.
Papaver somniferum Linn.
Family ◮ Papaveraceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Asia; now grown
in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan
and Madhya Pradesh.
English ◮ Opium Poppy.
Ayurvedic ◮ Ahiphena, Aaphuuka.
Post-daanaa (seed).
Unani ◮ Afyum. Tukhm-ekhashkhaash
(seed).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kasakasa (seeds).
Action ◮ Opium is obsolete
as a drug. Narcotic, sedative,
hypnotic, analgesic, sudorific,
anodyne, antispasmodic. Crushed
poppyheads were in use as a topical
poultice for crippling pain in
terminal diseases.
Poppy seed—nutritive, demulcent,
emollient, spasmolytic, devoid of
narcotic properties. Specific against
obstinate constipation, also used
in catarrh of the bladder. Poppy