History of Opium

Opium Poppy was never really cultivated in the New World and is now illegal to grow, an indigenous Poppy relation with lesser activity does in fact have a history of indigenous use among some of the Native American tribes, especially in the Southwestern regions of the U.S. and in parts of Central America.

This species, known as 'Prickly Poppy' (Argemone mexicana) has definite Poppy features, though its leaves and overall appearance is much more prickly.

The dried leaves of this plant may have been smoked as an aphrodisiac among the Indians, and may well still be used in that way.

The Aztecs, not unlike the ancient Greeks, apparently also associated the plant with their Underworld, and used it for healing and ceremonial purposes.

Whatever the magical and medicinal blessing of the Poppy may be, the dark side of its potent latex must not be underestimated.

Whether in the form of Opium, Morphium or Heroin, opiates are addictive, and in that respect the difference between them is only a matter of degree.

These days it is often argued that the problem of addiction is more a problem of an addictive personality structure, rather than the object of addiction.

While this is no doubt true to a certain degree, it must be said that in a society suffering from a multitude of psychological dysfunctionalities addictive personalities have practically become the norm.

Opium as such may not be much more addictive than Nicotine, perhaps even less so, as far as physical addiction is concerned, but anybody who has ever been addicted to Nicotine knows how difficult it is to break the habit - even such a non-gratifying one.

How much more difficult to break a habit so seductive as that of Opium use!

The history of Poppy and the cultural uses of Opium and its derivatives aptly illustrate and reflect the psychological development of our civilization.

Once upon a time respected and loved as a potent gift of the Gods, which could induce visions of divine bliss, it has now fallen from grace.

Not that its inherent qualities have changed, but cultural attitudes and abuses have profaned the sacred gift.

In an effort to improve upon nature' by exploiting the power of one of its most potent plants, a poison has been created that turns its users into victims and takes them to the gates of hell.

Removed from the sacred sphere where Opium (in its unrefined state) may have been used occasionally as a sacrament, the modern habit of using refined opiates recreationally, opens the doors for shameless exploitation and oppression, which furthermore has developed into a several million dollar black-market industry.

The story of Poppy has much to teach us - not just about the herb itself, but more so about ourselves...

(A million questions could and should be raised at this point - but since this is an essay about the cultural uses of Poppy and not on the sociology of drug abuse, its instigators and victims, I shall leave it up to you, dear reader, to ask those questions and to find your own answers - if you are so inclined)

The Poppy in Profile

Common names: Opium Poppy, Mawseed, Herb of Joy, Mohn, Klapper-Rosen, Mago, Magesamen, Weismagen, wilder Magen, Magensaph, Rosule

Description: An erect herbaceous annual growing to a height of about 2-3' ft.

The leaves and stem are bluish green with a rubbery appearance.

The leaves are pinnately lobed with serrated margins that clasp around the stem.

The flowers usually have four large petals that vary in colour from white to pink and purple with a dark spot at their base.

(Some hybrids and uncommon forms are double flowered).

In the center of the flower head, around the ovary are numerous stamens.

The flowers only last a few days before the petals fall off and the ovary ripens into the characteristic round-bellied seed capsule.

The capsule narrows at the top like a drawstring purse.

When the seed is ripe the capsule begins to dry out thus lifting the top cover of the capsule and giving rise to little openings around the rim through which the seeds can be released.

The seeds are numerous tiny gray to brown kidney-shaped speckles which are edible and yield a fine, high quality oil.

The leaves, stem and capsule all contain a white milky juice, which extrudes as soon as the surface of any of these parts is broken.

It becomes brown when dried and is commonly referred to as 'raw Opium'.

Flowering time is between April and August.

Distribution: Poppies are common throughout Europe and Eurasia as wild escapes from cultivation.

They often grow in corn fields and waste places where they get plenty of sun and well drained soil.

Status: In most countries it is illegal to cultivate Poppies without license, though in Europe it is commonly grown as an ornamental. Harvesting, however is strictly prohibited everywhere.

Parts used: Seeds, latex, leaves, petals

Constituents: Contains about 40 different alkaloids.

The most prominent being morphine, Codeine, Thebaine, Papaverine and Noscapine

Magical Uses: Love magic and divination, prophetic dreams, incense for divination, potions in sex magic, Flying Ointment, prosperity charm, protection against demons and vampires, happiness and peace, invisibility

Medicinal Uses: Analgesic, narcotic, sedative, antispasmodic, anti-diarrheal, antitussive, diaphoretic, aphrodisiac

The dried latex rolled into pills in combination with other substances has long been valued as a highly effective painkiller.

As a sedative it is used to bring sleep to agitated children and suffering patients.

It has also been employed to calm hysterics and otherwise mentally or emotionally disturbed patients.

Its anti-diarrheal properties still make it one of the most powerful agents for the treatment of colic and dysentery, whilst its anti-tussive action are highly valued as one of the most widely used ingredients in all kinds of cough remedies and is invaluable in treating persistent spasmodic coughs(Codeine- alkaloid of Opium).

In the past it was much used for the treatment of tuberculosis.

As an aphrodisiac it plays an important role in treating sexual problems such as impotency and premature ejaculation.

Caution: Opium, Morphine and Heroin are all highly addictive substances, besides which they are also highly illegal.

Opium use can lead to constipation.

This article is intended as an educational resource not as a guide to self-medication or to encourage illegal uses of drugs.