The plant that calms anxiety and helps you sleep like a baby
The world of medicinal plants is so vast that there are preparations for every imaginable ailment, both physical and mental. Specifically, to help us fight insomnia, there are herbs that, when infused, become an unavoidable ritual that induces sleep every night. At first glance, we might all think of chamomile or valerian in Spain ; the former promotes muscle relaxation, while the latter promises to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.
Of all the medicinal herbs that can contribute to a vital night's rest, more necessary than ever due to an overstimulated society where stress dominates our health, one stands out. Experts are increasingly recommending California poppy infusions, which have a mildly hypnotic effect and are the most effective of all.
Anxiety relief vs. restful sleep… in an infusion
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the traditional use of the California poppy for anxiety relief and as a sleep aid, as it is a medicinal herb widely used as an analgesic and sedative . The poppy has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and can also be used topically to combat muscle pain.
But California poppy also has an anxiolytic effect, as well as a sleep-inducing and sedative effect with antispasmodic properties. By relaxing the central nervous system thanks to its composition, thanks to a hypnotic alkaloid called eschscholzia, those who take California poppy feel the need to sleep. This is a little-known discovery in Spain, but it is used as an ally to combat insomnia.
By calming the nervous system, poppy is an effective inducer of deep sleep. Its scientifically proven sedative action helps calm nervousness and irritability , and experts recommend its most popular infusion. However, there are pharmacological preparations of California poppy alone, or combined with allies such as valerian and passionflower, which multiply its calming effects.
California poppy, the best ally for your sleep routine
In Spain, we sleep little and poorly, according to numerous scientific studies. In addition to going to bed too late, with dinner still in the middle of digesting, and using electronic devices in bed, among other habits that are detrimental to sleep, many people are unaware of natural products that can truly help us.
One of them is the California poppy, which is used in treatments for sleep disorders, anxiety, and stress . This medicinal plant, native to North America, is especially useful for people who wake up during what should be the deepest stages of sleep. The poppy helps relieve mental stress and promotes rest in an organic way.
Aside from drinking a warm California poppy infusion before bed, experts remind us that it's essential to take our night's rest seriously , since not only will our energy for the next day depend on it, but many health problems associated with insomnia will also depend on it.
Contraindications of poppy infusion
Due to the sedative properties of this medicinal plant , which we have already mentioned, it is obvious that if we take it routinely we should take special care when driving or operating machinery: professional advice is to avoid it up to two hours after ingestion.
Regarding possible contraindications, California poppy should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in children under 10 years of age. It is also not recommended to combine it with benzodiazepines, sedative medications , or antihistamines without medical supervision. Doing so would put us at risk by multiplying the sedative effects.
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