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For health benefits, have a pop of poppy seeds!

Poppy naturally grows in the Europe area, West of Asia, and North Africa. It spreads like weed on meadows and fields, in between grain, in yards, roads and railroads. Poppy propagates easily with seeds and likes moist nitrogen rich soil. It grows from the lowlands up to the mountain ranges. Poppy has been known in Europe for over 4000 years. Assyrian records from the 7th century mention it as a pain relief medication.

Types of poppy

Poppy has become a universal name for a couple of species from the genus Papaver, family Papaveraceae. It includes many species of which some are grown as garden flowers and the sort P. Somniferum, which is grown for the production of seeds, edible oil and opium.
Opium poppy is the plant from which we get opium. According to the international narcotics agreement, only certain countries have the right to produce opium. Opium contains 40 alkaloids, and the most important are the morphine type alkaloids. The quality of opium is estimated by the amount of morphine, which depends on the climate the poppy grows in.
Poppy seeds are not dangerous because they are dried and contain no alkaloids, so they are used to make oil and to make desserts.

Benefits of poppy seeds

Edible parts of poppy are the green leaves on the ground row and the seeds used for eating. Poppy milk or syrup is suitable for treating coughs. In folk medicine, it is used against pain and cough, but also in tea blends to promote better sleep.
Poppy is an excellent source of vitamin E, thiamine and pyridoxine, folic acid and riboflavin. It is also a great source of minerals - manganese, copper, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc.

The rich nutritional content of poppy seeds is characterized by unsaturated fatty acids. Our organism cannot synthesize linoleic acid. Scientific research suggests that linoleic acid can participate in the process of slowing the development of multiple sclerosis. It can also help protect the cardiovascular system, regulate blood pressure and prevent blood clotting. Oleanolic acid is not an essential acid and the human organism can partially synthesize it. Research showed that Oleanolic acid can slow down the appearance of cancer on a genetic level. It also safeguards the cardiovascular system from deterioration.
Poppy is also used as a muscle relaxant, pain relief, cough medicine and abdominal cramp medicine. Minerals and vitamins in poppy relieve irritability, stress, boosts mood and improves focus.

A symbol of wealth, fertility and affluence

Because of the wealth of seeds that mature in just one poppy head, poppy has traditionally symbolized fertility and wealth. For its narcotic effect, it also symbolizes witchcraft, mystical forces, forgetfulness and deep sleep.
The duality of poppy symbolism existed even in ancient Egypt where poppy was the favorite flower of love. A bouquet of blooming flowers or decorative dried poppy heads, the lovers would give to the chosen one. However, at the same time the poppy heads were traditionally also a burial place decoration.

In ancient Greece people would gift poppy amongst themselves as an insurance of a good night's rest.

As a flower of love, poppy was dedicated to Aphrodite, and a version of the myth of the Adonis's death tells about poppy sprouted from Aphrodite's tears instead of anemone. Field poppy and anemone both have very sensitive flowers so the shared symbols of quick passage of love shouldn't surprise us. The myth of the inception of poppies from Aphrodite's tears is interesting because it warns that it was originated with the desire to bring the grieving goddess a „peaceful forgetfulness of misery “.

Poppy fulfilled Aphrodite's expectations; the forgetfulness was so thorough that the goddess soon did not recall Adonis and happily indulged in new love challenges.
Because of the concept of the cross, shaped by the connections of the four petals, poppy is a symbol of true faith among the Christians.

Fun personality tests say that, if you like poppy, you are a lively, funny, funky and enthusiastic person who is often the life of the party. You are creative, you love learning new things and know how to express your unique personality. Just like intoxicating effect of poppy seeds many perceive your personality, as magnetic and unforgettable.

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