Last update July 24, 2025

Common Poppy

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

The petals and seeds of the herbaceous plant are used. It contains isoquinoline alkaloids (readine), polysaccharides, and anthocyanins. Attributed properties: antitussive and mildly sedative (Fitoterapia.net). Indications (German Ministry of Health Commission E): none (Blumenthal 1989). The seeds are edible and are used as a condiment and in baking. (Belda 2024)

At the date of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

It has been used since ancient times to sedate children in many cultures (Obladen 2015). Serious poisoning has occurred with its use. (Günaydın 2015)

Due to its sedative properties, only moderate and occasional consumption would be compatible with breastfeeding, outside the neonatal period and monitoring the appearance of sedation or lack of appetite in the infant.

The culinary use of its seeds is compatible with breastfeeding.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Common Poppy is also known as


Common Poppy in other languages or writings:

Group

Common Poppy belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Common Poppy in its composition:

References

  1. Fitoterapia.net. Vanaclocha B, Cañigueral S. Fitoterapia.net. 1992 - - Disponible en: https://www.fitoterapia.net. Consulted on March 12, 2025 Abstract
  2. Belda A, Jordán-Nuñez J, Micó-Vicent B, López-Rodríguez D. Long-Term Monitoring of the Traditional Knowledge of Plant Species Used for Culinary Purposes in the Valencia Region, South-Eastern Spain. Plants (Basel). 2024 Mar 8;13(6). Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Günaydın YK, Dündar ZD, Çekmen B, Akıllı NB, Köylü R, Cander B. Intoxication due to Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy): Five Case Reports. Case Rep Med. 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Obladen M. Lethal Lullabies: A History of Opium Use in Infants. J Hum Lact. 2015 Abstract
  5. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, editors. The American Botanical Council. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Integrative Medicine Com; Boston, MA, USA: 1998
  6. El-Masry S, El-Ghazooly MG, Omar AA, Khafagy SM, Phillipson JD. Alkaloids from Egyptian Papaver rhoeas. Planta Med. 1981 Abstract

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