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Poppy Seed Benefits (According to Ayurveda)
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How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Poppy Seed: Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea
Recipes with Poppy Seed: Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea
From the poppy family, contains slight traces of narcotics that, like nutmeg, help induce sleep.

Buying & Preparation

Buy fresh, as the seeds are high in polyunsaturated fats, which make them vulnerable to oxidation and turn rancid. Note: The seeds are so small that a single pound contains between 1 and 2 million seeds.

Cooking Poppy Seed

Poppy seeds are tasteless until roasted, when they take on a nutty flavor. A coffee grinder may be the easiest way of grinding the seeds for use in teas. Poppy seeds have a variety of uses. In New York where I come from they are common as a decorative garnish on kaiser rolls & bagels.

Poppy seed paste is a popular filling in many baked desserts in eastern Europe and the middle east. A delicious paste can be made by combining roasted poppy seeds with honey. The pastes may be flavored with lemon or orange zest, alternatively coconut butter. Fennel, saffron, cardamom and nutmeg combine well with poppy seeds flavor wise.

In Bengali cooking poppy seeds are popularly employed in potato dishes, shrimp recipes, or simply in rice. Poppy seeds many be fried in ghee or butter and drizzled over your favorite dishes. Poppy seeds may be pressed to yield delicious poppyseed oil. Ground seeds are used as a thickening agent in many soups, especially white poppy seeds because they do not alter the color of the soup.

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Is Poppy Seed Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Poppy Seed' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

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AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Metabolic Nature of Poppy Seed

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OILY

HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Subtaste:
Crunchy

CRUNCHY

Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

Moves Energy:
Downward

DOWNWARD

Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.

SEE ALL 'DOWNWARD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Inward

INWARD

Inward moving substances promote introspection, self reflection, stillness, or slow the system down.

SEE ALL 'INWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Tissue (dhatu):
Bone

BONE

Bone tissue (Asthi Dhatu) includes the bones, hair, and nails.

SEE ALL 'BONE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Reproductive

REPRODUCTIVE

Reproductive tissue (Shukra/Artava Dhatu) includes male and female reproductive organs.

SEE ALL 'REPRODUCTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:
Bowel Poop Elimination,
Energy Vitality

ENERGY-VITALITY

Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha.

SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS

, Mind Stress Sleep, Reproductive Health

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Poppy Seed
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestion:
Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

Bowel Health:
Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Constipative

CONSTIPATIVE

An herb that binds stools / stops diarrhea. When used in excess, these herbs and foods can cause constipation.

SEE ALL 'CONSTIPATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:
Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

SEE ALL 'MAKES-YOU-TIRED' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relaxes Eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

SEE ALL 'RELAXES-EYES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stimulates Base Of Skull

STIMULATES-BASE-OF-SKULL

Creates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area at the base of the skull.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-BASE-OF-SKULL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:
Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:
Antipruritic

ANTIPRURITIC

Antipruritics are herbs that inhibit itching, often associated with skin conditions such as sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites, or contact dermatitis (as in poison ivy rashes).

SEE ALL 'ANTIPRURITIC' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:
Antitussive

ANTITUSSIVE

Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.

SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:
Calms Heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

SEE ALL 'CALMS-HEART' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used topically as a hemostatic to stop bleeding, or to reduce secretions.

SEE ALL 'STYPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Strength, Muscle Health:
Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Calcium

CALCIUM

Calcium nourishes bones and muscles. A muscle cell is activated when calcium enters the cell. It relaxes when the calcium is secreted.

SEE ALL 'CALCIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Fats, Insoluble Fiber, Zinc

Foods with a Similar Nature to Poppy Seed

  • Nutmeg

    Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Constipative, Muscle-relaxant, Styptic, Antispasmodic, Hemostatic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anxiolytic, Makes-you-tired, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Pumpkin

    Pumpkin has these Actions in Common

    Makes-you-tired, Relaxes-eyes, Sedative, Muscle-relaxant, Relieves-burning, Appetite-suppressant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Hemp Seed

    Hemp Seed has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Makes-you-tired, Relaxes-eyes, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Sedative, Builds-stamina, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Hibiscus

    Hibiscus has these Actions in Common

    Constipative, Relieves-burning, Antioxidant, Hemostatic, Styptic, Appetite-suppressant, Relaxes-eyes

    LEARN MORE

  • Potato

    Potato has these Actions in Common

    Makes-you-tired, Styptic, Antioxidant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Hemostatic, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Lavender

    Lavender has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Sedative, Analgesic, Makes-you-tired, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Oats / Oatmeal

    Oats / Oatmeal has these Actions in Common

    Appetite-suppressant, Relieves-burning, Builds-stamina, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Makes-you-tired

    LEARN MORE

  • Amaranth

    Amaranth has these Actions in Common

    Appetite-suppressant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Hemostatic, Relaxes-eyes, Muscle-relaxant, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Popped Amaranth

    Popped Amaranth has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Relaxes-eyes, Muscle-relaxant, Relieves-tension, Appetite-suppressant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Chamomile

    Chamomile has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Analgesic, Makes-you-tired

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Poppy Seed

  • California Poppy

    California Poppy has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Relaxes-eyes, Antioxidant, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Styptic, Calms-heart

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Sedative, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Builds-stamina, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Kava Kava

    Kava Kava has these Actions in Common

    Sedative, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Makes-you-tired, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Sedative, Analgesic, Antipruritic, Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Motherwort

    Motherwort has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Calms-heart, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Self Massage

    Self Massage has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Calms-heart, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relaxes-eyes, Relieves-tension, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Passionflower

    Passionflower has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-tension, Sedative, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Calms-heart, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Skullcap

    Skullcap has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Calms-heart, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Analgesic

    LEARN MORE

  • Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

    Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

    Sedative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-burning, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Black Cohosh

    Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Analgesic, Antipruritic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Builds-stamina, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Relieves-tension, Analgesic, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Poppy Seed may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Poppy Seed may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Poppy Seed. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Autumn-Winter

Poppy Seed is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.
VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA / PITTA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

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