I absolutely love this wonderful garden plant. They are ridiculously easy to grow from seed and will generally self-set for ever more. In the wild Eschscholzia californica produces brilliant orange flowers, but there now exist many different shades and colours. A tea made from this plant has played a key role in traditional Native American’s medicine. Today, it is best known as a nervine, acting as a soothing tonic for the nervous system, to ease stress, and tension. Drink it to help promote relaxation, and aid mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. Due to its gentle nature, it is considered safe enough for children and has been used to help with bedwetting where there is a connection to anxiety at night. It combines well with Lemon Balm and Chamomile, and probably Honey as it can be slightly bitter in taste. As with other Poppies, one of the benefits is pain relief, traditionally for toothache, nerve related pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. but unlike Opium Poppies, is not a narcotic or addictive
It goes without saying that if you're pregnant (or are under the doc for anything) caution should be exercised with herbal decoctions.
