Step 1 : Introduction to the question " What plant is used to make opium? "
...
Poppies are herbaceous plants, often grown for their colourful flowers. One species of poppy, 'Papaver somniferum', is the source of the narcotic drug opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug. It also produces edible seeds.
Ancient Egyptian doctors would have their patients eat seeds from a poppy to relieve pain. Poppy seeds contain small quantities of both morphine and codeine, which are pain-relieving drugs that are still used today.
Poppy seeds and fixed oils can also be nonnarcotic because when they are harvested about twenty days after the flower has opened, the morphine is no longer present.
Poppies have long been used as a symbol of sleep, peace, and death: Sleep because the opium extracted from them is a sedative, and death because of the common blood-red color of the red poppy in particular.
In Greek and Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead. Poppies used as emblems on tombstones symbolize eternal sleep.
It is believed that its origins may come from the Sumerian people, where the first use of opium was recognized. Poppies and opium made their way around the world along the silk road.
Juglets resembling poppy seed pods have been discovered with trace amounts of opium and the flower appeared in jewelry and on art pieces in Egypt, dated 1550-1292 BC.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
Step 2 : Answer to the question " What plant is used to make opium? "
Poppy:
Please let us know as comment, if the answer is not correct!
Step 3 : Disclaimer & Terms of Use regarding the question " What plant is used to make opium? "
No comments:
Post a Comment