Poppy: benefits, dosage, contraindications

Mis à jour le 8 November 2025

The poppy is native to the eastern Mediterranean and was introduced to Europe with cereal cultivation. It bears four light petals of a brilliant red, spotted with black, arranged by two sepals, and has a large pistil and numerous stamens. The name Papaver, derived from the Celtic "papa" meaning "porridge", evokes the ancestral uses of this plant to soothe and put children to sleep. Poppy petals contain a multitude of health-beneficial compounds, such as alkaloids (papaverine, rhoeadine), mucilage, sucrose, manganese, and malic acid. These components give the poppy calming, soothing, and pectoral properties. Traditionally, poppy flowers have been used as a antitussive and to induce sleep in nervous children thanks to their sedative properties.

Scientific name(s)

Papaver rhoeas

Family or group:

Plants

Active ingredients:

Anthocyanins

Mucilages

Potassium

Manganese

Indications

Scoring methodology

EFSA approval.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with positive conclusions for the indication.

One or more randomized studies, or several cohorts or epidemiological studies, with positive conclusions for the indication.

Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or conflicting.

No clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.

Sleep disorders
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The poppy, known for its soothing properties, is traditionally used to alleviate sleep disturbances. It is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of neurotonic states in adults and children, including minor sleep disorders. The poppy helps calm restlessness and promotes falling asleep.

Posologie

Oral use: petals

1.5 g

infusion

Clinical evaluation of sedative and anxiolytic plants

Cough
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The poppy is recognized for its soothing and softening properties on the respiratory tract; it is traditionally used to soothe coughs and relieve throat irritation. The poppy is used in many syrups and preparations intended to combat cough symptoms.

Posologie

Oral use: petals

1.5 g

infusion

Clinical evaluation of sedative and anxiolytic plants

Properties

Sedative

The corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) exhibits a marked sedative effect, mainly attributed to the anthocyanins present in its petals, and this occurs without the presence of alkaloids detectable by thin-layer chromatography. Behavioral tests conducted in mice revealed that ethanol and aqueous poppy extracts significantly reduce locomotor, exploratory, and postural activity. This sedative effect is particularly pronounced with extracts using 10% ethanol as the extraction solvent and does not appear to be antagonized (neutralized) by the usual treatments against the effects of benzodiazepines, opioids, dopaminergic, and cholinergic agents. This suggests a unique mechanism of action of the poppy components, independent of the traditional neurological pathways involved in sedation.

Usages associés

Sleep disorders

Intoxication due to Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy): Five Case Reports

Neurological

A study evaluated the effects of a poppy extract on the development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine in mice. The hydroalcoholic extract was administered at different doses (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) prior to each morphine dose for three days. The results show that the extract attenuates morphine tolerance in a dose-independent manner, suggesting that administration of this extract may reduce morphine tolerance in mice. This indicates potential to limit the side effects of opioid tolerance used in pain treatment. Further research on the poppy extract shows involvement in modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and a reduction in corticosterone, which indicates a potentially anti-stress action.

Papaver rhoeas L. stem and flower extracts: Anti-struvite, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant activities
Effect of Papaver rhoeas hydroalcoholic extract on blood corticosterone and psychosocial behaviors in the mouse model of predator exposure-induced post-traumatic stress disorder
Effects of Papaver rhoeas extract on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in mice

Safe dosage

Adults (18 years and older): 1.5 g - 20 g (infusion)

The poppy, when used correctly in the form of dried petals, is considered safe for adults. However, consumption of more than 250 grams of these petals can be potentially dangerous, having been associated with cases of poisoning with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, seizures, arrhythmias, and loss of consciousness.

Precautions

Children: avoid

For children, consumption of fresh leaves or flowers can lead to poisoning; consult a healthcare professional before any use of poppy.

Breastfeeding women: avoid

For pregnant and breastfeeding women, information on the safety of poppy is insufficient. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Pregnant women: avoid

For pregnant and breastfeeding women, information on the safety of poppy is insufficient. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.