Pick a poppy...

Translated from Dutch. View the original post here

#poppy  
#doityourself  
#naturesmedicine


In Flanders fields the poppies blow.

One of the most famous poems from WW1 that made this flower the symbol of this war.

But this little flower that you find in literally every roadside is not just a flower. It belongs to the family of the poppies and is related to the sleeping bulb from which, among other things, poppy seeds and opium are extracted from. Like its more notorious relative, the poppy also has multiple medicinal uses and is often used in various dishes. However, the applications of the poppy are hardly addictive and therefore not dangerous.

The seeds and juice were known in ancient times for their mild sleep-inducing effect and were mixed with honey, even given to weeping babies.
The petals are often used for their medicinal help, eg. with mild sleep problems, restlessness and anxiety, mild colds, low fever and also menstrual cramps. You can simply eat these leaves with a max of 15 grams per day.

You can also make a cough drink out of it very simply.
Pour 250 grams of fresh petals with half a liter of boiling water. Leave this whole thing in a closed jar for a day. Then add 750 grams of honey. Reheat this item but no higher than 35 degrees. Now mix the whole thing carefully so that a homogeneous mass is formed. Let cool down and you have your own cough syrup. In case of complaints, I would not take more than 3 large spoons a day. always consult a doctor in case of persistent complaints.

Externally, you can also put the petals as a compress on tired eyes.
In the past, the leaves were also moistened and rubbed over the cheeks for a nice red blush.
You can also easily turn it into a refreshing lotion by boiling 30 grams of petals in half a liter of water and sifting. Your skin will look fresher after applying this lotion.

In the kitchen, you can eat the leaves raw by mixing in a salad or cooking them just like spinach. You can also make a delicious jelly from the leaves. Furthermore, the seeds are also delicious in all kinds of dishes and pastries, including the traditional Polish Makowiec cake. By the way, did you know that she used the poppy juice to color the Edam cheese.

So if you see this flower turning our meadows red again on your next walk, don't just think about their link to the war, but pick a few to experiment with yourself.

The Story Witch,

Photo source: collage of own photos