Corn Poppy: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is a plant with bright red flowers. The dried flower petals are used in foods in the Mediterranean, and also as medicine.

Corn poppy flower petals contain chemicals that can cause sleepiness. They can also have antioxidant effects. The petals also contain minerals, including potassium, zinc, copper, and iron.

People use corn poppy for cough, insomnia, pain, withdrawal from heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse corn poppy with poppy seed or California poppy. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Corn Poppy overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Dried corn poppy flower petals are possibly safe. But consuming large amounts of corn poppy flower petals (over 250 grams) is possibly unsafe. Large amounts might cause nausea, vomiting, seizures, changes in heartbeat, and fainting.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if corn poppy is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: The FRESH leaves and blossoms of corn poppy are possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in children. They might cause side effects such as vomiting and stomach pain. There isn't enough reliable information to know if DRIED corn poppy flowers are safe for children.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Corn Poppy
Corn poppy might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking corn poppy with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of corn poppy might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Hillenbrand, M., Zapp, J., and Becker, H. Depsides from the petals of Papaver rhoeas. Planta Med. 2004;70(4):380-382.

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Kati V, Corre VL, Michel S, et al. Isolation and characterisation of 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers in Papaver rhoeas L. (Corn Poppy), a major annual plant species from cultivated areas. Int J Mol Sci. 2012;14(1):470-9.

Günaydin YK, Dündar ZD, Çekmen B, Akilli NB, Köylü R, Cander B. Intoxication due to Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy): Five case reports. Case Rep Med. 2015;2015:321360.

Katarzyna J, Karolina J, Patrycja K, Mateusz B, Izabela G. Mineral composition and antioxidant potential in the common poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) petal infusions. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 Jan;199(1):371-81.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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