The poppy (Papaver somniferum) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Papaveraceae family native to the Mediterranean regions. Known as white poppy, royal poppy, opium, white papaver or papola, it is a kind of psychotropic effects due to its high content of morphine and codeine.
The plant is made up of a vascular stem of toothed leaves with a short petiole or close to each other that can measure 50 cm. Its flower is large and purple in color, with a dehiscent capsule-shaped fruit with multiple tiny black seeds..
The poppy's fame derives from the high alkaloid content of the sap exuded from its immature fruits. This milky liquid is the basis for the production of opium and its derivatives, which is why in some countries its cultivation is illegal and requires special permits for its commercialization..
Of Papaver somniferum A latex with a high content of alkaloids is extracted, such as morphine and codeine, from which opium is also obtained. In addition, the seeds are used to obtain a harmless oil used at an industrial level as a drying agent in the manufacture of varnishes and paints..
Since ancient times, the poppy has been used for its psychotropic effects. In fact, there is evidence of its use by Sumerian culture more than 4,000 years ago..
Initially the plant was used by Mediterranean and Arab cultures for the treatment of different diseases. When it was introduced in the East, it began to smoke, causing drowsiness and slight psychic disturbances, from there it acquired the name of "poppy.".
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Papaver somniferum it is an annual plant, glabrous sometimes with mushrooms, with an erect stem, which reaches an average height of 25-150 cm in height. Simple oblong or ovate leaves, slightly toothed, the lower ones with a short petiole and the upper ones sitting or hugging.
The solitary, peduncular, terminal and radially symmetrical flowers have a hanging and erect bud during flowering. Each flower has 2-3 sepals and 4 corrugated petals of purplish, red, pink or white colors, with a dark-toned basal spot..
The fruit is a subglobose, smooth and unilocular capsule of variable size with numerous false ribs contracted within the carpophor. Dehiscent when mature, the tiny black reniform seeds disperse through small infradiscal pores on the surface of the carpophor..
The phytochemical analysis of the sap or exudates of the plant reports 10-20% alkaloids, among which codeine, morphine, noscapine, narcotine, papaverine and thebaine stand out. As well as 30% of carbohydrates and organic acids, such as fumaric, lactic and meconic, and 5-6% of mineral elements.
Morphine is the main alkaloid obtained from the poppy (Papaver somniferum); it has analgesic, astringent, emetic effects and causes respiratory depression. Codeine, also known as methylmorphine, is used for analgesic, antitussive and sedative purposes.
Papaverine is a vasodilator compound that allows blood vessels to relax so that blood circulates easily, it is also a spasmolytic agent. Noscapine is a derivative that does not have narcotic effects; It is an antitussive used for the treatment of dry cough.
Of Papaver somniferum different varieties are obtained depending on the alkaloid content. Indeed, varieties with low alkaloid content are used for food use, and those with high content are used in the pharmaceutical industry..
The seeds of these varieties are used in the food industry, due to their low or null levels of alkaloids in both cultivars. These seeds are used by hand in the production of bakery products as filling for cakes or desserts, and for the production of oils.
Likewise, the whole seeds are used as a condiment for artisan dishes or for decorating bakery products. However, the highest production of poppy corresponds to the variety with high alkaloid contents destined in its entirety to obtain morphine.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Subclass: Magnoliidae
- Order: Ranunculales
- Family: Papaveraceae
- Subfamily: Papaveroideae
- Tribe: Papavereae
- Gender: Papaver
- Species: Papaver somniferum L., 1753
- Papaver: the generic name comes from the Latin "păpāvĕr","vĕris"which means poppy.
- somniferum: specific epithet derived from Latin "somnǐFandrum","-it was","-ǔm" from somnus, dream and cold, carry, that is, sleeping pill or narcotic.
The poppyPapaver somniferum) is a cosmopolitan plant native to the Mediterranean regions, from where it spread to southwest Asia. At present, the poppy grows wild in the Asian continent, it is even cultivated in some temperate zones of the American continent..
It is a crop that blooms from April to June, which is located on fallow land, vacant land, on the edge of roads or on slopes. It is extensively cultivated in Asia Minor, Turkey, India, Burma, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and some countries in the Far East
The poppyPapaver somniferum) is a species that can be cultivated in various climatic conditions, even in low mountain areas. Annual crops require sufficient solar radiation, however, they do not tolerate hot and dry environments.
This plant grows on loose, deep, sandy and well-drained soils, with high nutritional or organic matter content, and a basic pH (6.5-8). For sowing the land must be conditioned, loose, free of weeds, fertilized and with sufficient moisture content to allow the hydration of the seeds..
Sowing is done directly in the field during the spring, between the months of March and April. Sowing is carried out broadcast or in rows 50-80 cm apart, trying to mix the seed with fine sand to prevent a high density of sowing..
It is recommended to gently cover the seed to avoid the incidence of birds or their dispersal during irrigation or in case of heavy rains. Maintaining soil moisture, germination begins after 8-10 days, with a maximum of 21 days..
After germination, in just 15-20 days the first true leaves of the new plant emerge. Once the cultivation is established, the poppy is quite tolerant to water imbalance, it even supports occasional dry periods, however it is advisable to maintain humidity.
The initial fertilization, at the time of conditioning the land, is sufficient to meet the requirements of the crop in its growth and development phase. Otherwise, it is advisable to apply a fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus and nitrogen in the first stages of plant growth..
The poppy does not require maintenance pruning, only some sanitary pruning in case of physiological damage, attack by pests or wilted stems or leaves. At the end of the harvest once the capsules have matured, it is advisable to remove the plant from the base of the stem.
During the winter the poppy does not require special care, only plants sown at the wrong time can reach this season. In this regard, during the winter it is recommended to suppress irrigation and keep the crop aerated.
The poppy begins flowering during the months of June-July, after which the fruits are harvested. The dried or immature fruit, together with the seed, is the commercial part of the plant, which are collected even when the fruit does not show signs of ripening..
From the immature fruit, a milky liquid is obtained that turns brown in contact with the air. This substance, known as "raw opium", has a high concentration of wardens, which is highly toxic if consumed directly.
Of the pests that parasitize the poppy, the hymenoptera wasp stands out Iraella luteipes, borer insect that produces the formation of galls on the stems. In fact, the incidence of this pest causes great economic losses in crops for pharmaceutical, ornamental and food purposes..
The management of this wasp is carried out by means of biological control with entomopathogenic fungi. The most effective control of this pest is obtained by using an endophytic strain of ascomycete Beauveria bassiana.
Regarding diseases, the mildew caused by Peronospora arborescens it is one of the pathologies with the highest incidence in the poppy. Symptoms manifest as initial yellowing, followed by deformation of the leaf blade, necrosis of the affected tissue and finally death.
Timely control through agricultural management of the initial infection is the best way to control this disease. Weed control, application of pathogen-free fertilizers and continuous monitoring contribute to the prevention of opium mildew.
In case of chlorotic lesions and observing the presence of the typical structures of the fungus, the application of systemic and contact fungicides is suggested. Among the fungicides that have shown controlling effects against mildew, the most notable are ametoctradine, boscalid, cyazofamide, dimethomorph, metalaxyl, propamocarb and zoxamide..
The poricide capsule of immature fruits and the sticky white dry sap have a high content of alkaloid substances. Indeed, the poppy is used to obtain illegal opium and heroin derivatives.
However, at the pharmaceutical industry level these alkaloids constitute a source of alkaloid elements such as codeine and morphine. These ingredients are used mainly to make analgesics to relieve pain..
The seeds with a high content of carbohydrates, proteins and vitamin B are used in local gastronomy for their antioxidant properties and excellent aroma. In the bakery industry the seeds are used to decorate loaves of bread, rolls or baguettes, or as an ingredient for the traditional dessert "poppy cake".
On the other hand, the seed is used as an ingredient for the production of nutritious fodder for birds. An oil with multiple applications is extracted from the seeds, as a drying agent in the paint industry, as fuel and to make soaps..
The exudate of the poppy fruit has a large amount of alkaloids that have different psychotropic effects. One is morphine, which is highly toxic, but when conveniently supplied it has analgesic effects; other alkaloids are codeine, narcotine, noscapine and papaverine.
The pharmaceutical industry, from the alkaloids found in the Papaver somniferum has succeeded in synthesizing similar components with multiple applications. These new drugs have made it possible to improve their therapeutic effects, and in many cases eliminate the harmful side effects.
An example widely used today is synthetic morphine, whose effects are a thousand times more powerful. However, its application does not carry any type of risk as a similar dose from the natural morphine of the poppy.
In the case of codeine, its components have been artificially synthesized and its effects are similar to morphine. Although its use is less regulated than morphine, it is less addictive and is used to reduce muscle pain.
Continued use of poppy (Papaver somniferum) can cause physical and mental dependence. An addiction is created when the person feels the need to take higher doses, resulting in physical and psychological degradation.
The main symptoms of an addict are poor appetite, paleness, thinness, intolerance to light, dilated pupils, and memory loss. As well as shortness of breath, bruising, spots and sagging of the skin, premature aging and motor difficulties.
Stopping drug use causes the so-called "withdrawal syndrome", which is characterized by great nervousness, anxiety and hallucinations. At the same time, headache, fever, tremors, nausea, diarrhea and insomnia occur..
Currently, due to the presence of alkaloids in the plant, its production, marketing and consumption is restricted in many countries. There are strong control measures and international agreements that limit its production aimed at eradicating illegal crops worldwide..
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