Poppies

Remembrance day is approaching and the poppy is a symbol of hope and peace

Poppies have been used as a symbol of both remembrance and hope for a peaceful future, with references to war and poppies being recorded as early as the 19th Century.

The delicate Poppy flowers come in a wide range of varieties and colours, but it’s usually the humble Red Poppy Papaver rhoeas that we associate with the Armed Forces.

Herbalists have been harnessing the power of Poppies for centuries.  Benefits are wide and varied – from calming the nervous system to reducing mild pain.

Poppies also provide a rich source of Opium, a dark resin that contains various compounds including morphine and codeine which are used in mainstream medicine.

After flowering, you are left with a seed pod and stem which can be dried and used in floral displays and for decoration.

But be sure to harvest the little black seeds!  These tiny kidney-shaped seeds can be used in cooking or you can sew them and look forward to a colourful wildflower garden next year!

Interestingly, the seeds are very hardy and can last many if not hundreds of years!

Listen again to the November edition of Herbs with Barbara right here.