Latin (Botanical) Name: Papaver somniferum
Plant Family: Papaveraceae
Common Extraction Method: Cold press
Typically Used Plant Part: Seed
Color: Brownish orange
Aromatic Characteristic: Nutty, fruity, woody rich aroma
The poppy plant has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years and used for various purposes.
It was discovered for the first time that the poppy is a cultivated plant, through small botanical remains found in regions west of the Mediterranean and the Rhine before 5000 BC. These specimens, found at various Neolithic sites, show that the plant was cultivated and spread naturally in Western Europe incredibly early. Poppy seed is mentioned in ancient medical texts of many civilizations. For example, an Egyptian papyrus scroll called Ebers Papyrus, written in 1550 BC, depicts the poppy seed as a sedative. The Minoan civilization (approximately 2700-1450 BC), a Bronze Age civilization that arose on the island of Crete, cultivated poppies for their seeds and used a mixture of milk, poppy seeds and honey to calm crying babies. The Sumerians are another civilization known to cultivate poppy seeds. Poppy has also been used in the treatment of asthma, stomach diseases and eye disorders in ancient times.
About 51% of the area used for poppy cultivation in the world is in Turkey and Turkey makes about 35% of the world's poppy production.
Its flowers, which are native to the Eastern Mediterranean, come in various colors, primarily white and yellow. Seeds from the poppy plant can be of different colors, including white, yellow and blue, with an average of 45-50% oil in them. Poppy seeds are used in baked goods and traditional dishes around the world. Although poppy seed oil, which is obtained by cold pressing from poppy seeds, is most commonly used for the skin, it has many potential uses.
KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BENEFITS
Poppy seed oil helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and cholesterol levels thanks to the Omega 6, Omega 9 and Omega 3 fatty acids and polyphenol content it contains [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6].
Poppy seed oil shows antioxidant characteristic with its vitamin E content [4] [5]. Helps moisturize the skin. When applied to the skin and hair with the help of massage, it shows an invigorating, refreshing, repairing and nourishing support.
WARNINGS
ACADEMIC STUDIES
[1] D. Mozaffarian, R. Micha, S. Wallace (2010). Effects on coronary heart disease of increasing polyunsaturated fat in place of saturated fat: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS Med. 2010 Mar 23;7(3)
[2] J. K. Virtanen (2018). Randomized trials of replacing saturated fatty acids with n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in coronary heart disease prevention: Not the gold standard? Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2018 Jun;133:8-15.
[3] Azcan N, Kalender BO, Kara M (2004). Investigation of Turkish poppy seeds and seed oils. Chemistry of Natural Compounds 40:370-72.
[4] H. Erinç, A. Tekin, M. M. Özcan (2009). Determination of fatty acid, tocopherol and phytosterol contents of the oils of various poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) seeds.
[5] M. M. Özcan, Ç. Atalay (2006). Determination of seed and oil properties of some poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) varieties. Grasas Y Aceites, 57 (2), Abril-Junio, 169-174, 2006.
[6] B. Fotschki, P. Opyd, J. Juśkiewicz, W. Wiczkowski, A. Jurgoński (2020). Comparative Effects of Dietary Hemp and Poppy Seed Oil on Lipid Metabolism and the Antioxidant Status in Lean and Obese Zucker Rats. Molecules 2020, 25, 2921.
[7] Z. A. Özbek, P. G. Ergönül (2020). Chapter 19 - Cold pressed poppy seed oil. Green Technology, Bioactive Compounds, Functionality, and Applications 2020, Pages 231-239.
[8] A.C. Demirkan, N. Öztaşan, E. O. Oğuzhan, N. Cil, S. Coşkun (2012). Poppy seed oil protection of the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia and re-perfusion in rats. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, Volume 87, 2012 - Issue 8, Pages 499-505.
