Background
- 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.
References
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 . Selected references are listed below.
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View Abstract - El Masry S, El Ghazooly MG, Omar AA, et al. Alkaloids from Egyptian Papaver rhoeas. Planta Med 1981;41(1):61-64.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - Franchi GG, Franchi G, Corti P, et al. Microspectrophotometric evaluation of digestibility of pollen grains. Plant Foods Hum.Nutr 1997;50(2):115-126.
View Abstract - Gamboa PM, Jauregui I, Urrutia I, et al. Allergic contact urticaria from poppy flowers (Papaver rhoeas). Contact Dermatitis 1997;37(3):140-141.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - Hillenbrand M, Zapp J, Becker H. Depsides from the petals of Papaver rhoeas. Planta Med. 2004;70(4):380-382.
View Abstract - Pfeifer S. [On the occurrence of glaudine in opium and Papaver rhoeas L.]. Pharmazie 1965;20(4):240.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - Schaffer S, Schmitt-Schillig S, Muller WE, et al. Antioxidant properties of Mediterranean food plant extracts: geographical differences. J Physiol Pharmacol 2005;56 Suppl 1:115-124.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - Winkler W, Awe W. [On the structure of rhoeadine isomers isolated from Papaver rhoeas.]. Arch Pharm 1961;294/66:301-306.
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