Escolzia ( Echoltzia californica ) is a plant of the Papaveraceae family . Known for its sedative and hypnoinducing properties, it is useful against headaches, mood and sleep disorders, and high blood pressure. Let's find out better.
Property of the Scolzia
The aerial parts of the escolzia (stem, the flower) contain alkaloids (0.5%) phytosterols, carotenoids and flavonoids which give the plant sedative and hypnoinducing properties (which promote sleep). The alkaloids act on the one hand on the cardiac activity, lowering the pressure; on the other hand on the central nervous system, reducing the activity of the cells of the cerebral cortex, as they induce muscle relaxation and stimulate sleep. The action of the plant reduces the period of falling asleep and produces the maintenance of a good quality of sleep, all night long avoiding sudden awakenings.
The action is due to the presence of alkaloids (benzylisokinolinici and benzophenantridinics) and in general to the phytocomplex, ie the set of active ingredients, among which protopine stands out. The use of the escolzia is therefore indicated in case of anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances (insomnia, nocturnal awakenings), psychosomatic disorders, irritability, mood bending, psychic pains, nervousness.
The plant also has an antispasmodic and analgesic action, due to the presence of chelidonia, which acts as a spasmolytic especially at the level of the gastrointestinal system; it is useful in night cramps (flavonoids also improve the circulation of microcirculation), pain syndromes, headaches, colic and biliary spasms, cough (as a sedative) and neurovegetative dystonia.
Outstanding among natural supplements for insomnia: discover others
Method of use
INTERNAL USE
INFUSION: 1 tablespoon of escolzia top, 1 cup of water
Pour the tops in boiling water, turn off the heat, cover and leave to infuse for 10 min. Filter the infusion and drink it, to take advantage of the antispasmodic and sedative action against insomnia
Mother tincture of escolzia: 20- 30 drops in a little water 30 min. before going to sleep.
1 or 2 tablets or dry extract capsules 30 min. before going to sleep.
Contraindications of the pseudo
Esculonia is not recommended for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers . It is better to avoid its use in case of cardiovascular problems (eg hypotension, bradycardia), as it can influence the cardiac activity by lowering blood pressure parameters.
It is contraindicated in case of simultaneous use of psychotropic drugs, tranquilizers and sedatives, or synthesis antihistamines, to prevent a dangerous enhancement of sedative action and drug side effects.
Description of the plant
Perennial herbaceous plant grown as an annual. It has prostrate stems that widen to form bushes 40-50 cm high, of green-glaucous color.
The leaves are alternate, petiolate, jagged, of a green-ash color. The single flowers have 4 obovate free petals, white, yellow or orange, with a variety of color tending to bright red. The small and numerous seeds are contained in a 4-5 cm long pod.
The habitat of the Scolzia
Native to Arizona, California and Oregon and Mexico, it grows mainly in coastal dunes and in arid valleys near the sea, on soft soil, mixed with sand, but it also adapts to clayey soils as long as they are well drained.
It is currently cultivated in many other countries with a temperate-warm climate. It prefers sunny exposures, it does not survive the cold.
Background
The plant was collected for the first time near San Francisco by Adelbert von Chamisso, who wanted to dedicate this discovery to his traveling companion and head of the scientific expedition, JF Eschscholtz, a Russian botanist and entomologist who first introduced it to Europe at the beginning of 1800, as an ornamental botanical species, due to the beauty of its colorful flowers.
The American Indians and the first North American settlers used the leaves as legumes, boiled or cooked on hot stones. As a medicine it was used in intestinal colic, gallstones, toothache and also to reduce lactation; externally, in cataplasms, in ulcerations.
Today the plant is also called " California Poppy ", due to its belonging to the same poppy family and to its widespread use in the California state. Here, for many years, it has even been an official flower and celebrated on 6 April each year: the " Californian Poppy Day ".
