California Poppy is the state flower of California. It contain similar alkaloids than Papaver somniferum, Opium Poppy, that was introduced in the previous post. Escholtzia californica has been used to relieve pain by the native Americans. The leaves of California Poppy are smashed and used to brew a good tasting and relaxing tea.

Extracts made of Escholtzia californica can be smoked and it creates a mildly sedative high. However, the effect is a lot more milder than the one produced by opium.

In the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve there is over 1,7 square kilometers wide area full of poppies. At the blooming season the area is filled with orange color. Look at the image! In California the 6th of April is a designated day for this flower.

Papaver somniferum, also called as Opium Poppy, has a history of cultivation in the ancient civilizations of Persia, Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Opium Poppy has also been called by other names, for example the Sacred Anchor Of Life, the Hand Of God, Milk Of Paradise, and Destroyer Of Grief. In the 8th century the plant was widely cultivated and consumed in India and China, and all over mid-Asia.

Opium poppy flower are beautiful and used to grace gardens world-wide. They are often used in dried flower arrangements. Poppy seeds are used in cooking for example bagels, bialys, muffins and cakes.

As the name says, Opium Poppy pods contain opium. The opium is lacerating the immature opium poppy seed pods. Opium contains up to twelve percent of morphine which can be refined for example to create very addicting drug heroin.

In the United States opium poppy is listed as a schedule Schedule 2 controlled substance.

Nelumbo nucifera, known by the names sacred lotus, bean of India, and Indian lotus, is a flower that must not be mixed with water lily also called as lotus. The seeds of Sacred Lotus are very long-lasting, they may remain viable for many years. In China 1300 years old seeds had survived in a dry lake bed.

Lotus has been a symbol of purity in Asias since the ancient times, which may have something to do with the effects it has when ingested. Traditionally Nelumbo nucifera is used by smoking or making it into tea.

Sacred Lotus contains neferin, nuciferine, lotusine, and demethyl coclaurine. Nuciferine is the active compound that is responsible for producing a happy feeling in the whole body. Sacred Lotus seeds and extracts are available to buy in many online shops.

Heimia salicifolia is a shrub from the Lythroceae family and it is also known by the names Sun Opener and Sinicuichi. It grows native from Mexico all the way to Argentina.

Sinicuichi has a long history of traditional use starting from the Aztecs. To be more precise Sinicuichi is the name of the tea made of Heimia salicifolia. To make the tea the leaves were crushed and left to ferment in water for a few days.

The effect of Heimia salicifolia tea are hallucinogenic and euphoric. It is also told to brightens ones vision and help to recall past events with clarity. This why it is also called Sun Opener.

Leonotis leonurus, also known as Wild Dagga or Lion’s Tail, is plant from Lamiaceae family. It grows native in the southern Africa. The flowers of Wild Dagga are the most potent part of the plant. They have the highest concentration of Leonurine which causes the typical effects of Leonotis leonurus.

Beautiful Wild Dagga Flower

In a traditional setting Leonotis leonurus is either smoked or made into a tea. The medicinal use of Wild Dagga was especially popular among the Hottentot tribe of South Africa.The effects of Wild Dagga are euphoric, which is why this herb is often referred as a substitute for cannabis.

Wild Dagga is often available to buy from internet on herb selling shops. It can be usually ordered in the form of dried herb or resin extract.

Leonotis leonurus, also known as Wild Dagga and Lion’s Tail, has been used by the tribes of South Africa. It is often smoked or made into a medicinal tea. The species are also used in Eastern medicine as euphoriant and purgative. Because of these euphoric effects Leonotis leonurus is sometimes referred to as a Cannabis substitute.

Flowers of Leonotis leonurus have the most potent substance, more specifically they hold the highest concentration of Leonurine which causes the effects Wild Dagga is known for. Normally about 30 to 50 kilograms Leonotis leonurus flowers are needed to create 1 kilogram of Wild Dagga extract.

Because the blossoms that grow from the ends of the plant Wild Dagga is also called by the name Lion’s Tail. One can often buy Leonotis leonurus online in form of foliage, dried flowers or resin extract.