Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is well known for its showy red flowers and should not be confused with the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). In the Mediterranean, corn poppy greens are eaten as a vegetable.
Corn poppy extracts may reduce morphine withdrawal symptoms. However, there is insufficient available evidence in humans to support the use of corn poppy for any indication. Corn poppy may have iron-chelating activities and should be used cautiously in patients undergoing chelation therapy, or with thalassemia or anemia.
Evidence
DISCLAIMER:
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Tradition
WARNING:
DISCLAIMER:
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below. Antioxidant, chelating agent (heavy metals), food uses, gastric ulcers, morphine withdrawal, sedative.
Dosing
Adults (over 18 years old)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for corn poppy in adults.
Children (under 18 years old)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for corn poppy in children.
Safety
DISCLAIMER:
Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.
Allergies
Avoid with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to corn poppy. Corn poppy flowers may cause hives in allergic individuals.
Side Effects and Warnings
Corn poppy is likely safe when the leaves, petals, and seeds are used in food amounts.
There is little information currently available about the adverse effects associated with corn poppy. However, there have been reports of contact urticaria (hives) due to the flowers.
Use cautiously in patients undergoing chelation therapy, with thalassemia (blood disorders), or with anemia (red blood cell deficiency), as corn poppy may have iron-chelating activities.
Use cautiously in patients taking sedatives, as corn poppy may cause drowsiness.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Corn poppy is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.
Corn poppy root may have potent antiulcerogenic effects. Use cautiously with anti-ulcer medications due to possible additive effects.
Corn poppy greens may possess iron-chelating activities. Use cautiously with heavy metal antagonists, chelating agents, and iron salts.
Corn poppy extracts may decrease morphine withdrawal symptoms.
Corn poppy may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan®) or diazepam (Valium®), barbituates such as Phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Corn poppy may have antioxidant properties.
Corn poppy root may have potent antiulcerogenic effects. Use cautiously with anti-ulcer herbs and supplements due to possible additive effects.
Corn poppy greens may possess iron-chelating activities. Use cautiously with heavy metal antagonists, chelating agents, and iron supplements.
Corn poppy extracts may decrease morphine withdrawal symptoms.
Corn poppy may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some herbs or supplements. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Attribution
This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature, and was peer-reviewed and edited by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): Dilys Burke, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Dawn Costa, BA, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Tera Stock, PharmD (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD (Massachusetts General Hospital); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).
Bibliography
DISCLAIMER:
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.
Awe W, Winkler W. [Alkaloids of corn poppy.]. Arch Pharm Ber.Dtsch.Pharm Ges 1957;290/62(8-9):367-376.
El Masry S, El Ghazooly MG, Omar AA, et al. Alkaloids from Egyptian Papaver rhoeas. Planta Med 1981;41(1):61-64.
El SN, Karakaya S. Radical scavenging and iron-chelating activities of some greens used as traditional dishes in Mediterranean diet. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2004;55(1):67-74.
Franchi GG, Franchi G, Corti P, et al. Microspectrophotometric evaluation of digestibility of pollen grains. Plant Foods Hum.Nutr 1997;50(2):115-126.
Gamboa PM, Jauregui I, Urrutia I, et al. Allergic contact urticaria from poppy flowers (Papaver rhoeas). Contact Dermatitis 1997;37(3):140-141.
Gurbuz I, Ustun O, Yesilada E, et al. Anti-ulcerogenic activity of some plants used as folk remedy in Turkey. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;88(1):93-97.
Hillenbrand M, Zapp J, Becker H. Depsides from the petals of Papaver rhoeas. Planta Med. 2004;70(4):380-382.
Pfeifer S. [On the occurrence of glaudine in opium and Papaver rhoeas L.]. Pharmazie 1965;20(4):240.
Pourmotabbed A, Rostamian B, Manouchehri G, et al. Effects of Papaver rhoeas extract on the expression and development of morphine-dependence in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2004;95(2-3):431-435.
Sahraei H, Faghih-Monzavi Z, Fatemi SM, et al. Effects of Papaver rhoeas extract on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. Phytother Res 2006;20(9):737-741.
Sahraei H, Fatemi SM, Pashaei-Rad S, et al. Effects of Papaver rhoeas extract on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2-20-2006;103(3):420-424.
Soulimani R, Younos C, Jarmouni-Idrissi S, et al. Behavioral and pharmaco-toxicological study of Papaver rhoeas L. in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 3-3-2001;74(3):265-274.
Winkler W, Awe W. [On the structure of rhoeadine isomers isolated from Papaver rhoeas.]. Arch Pharm 1961;294/66:301-306.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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