Since the poppy appeared in people's lives, it has gained extraordinary popularity and even the love of many of us. Which is not surprising, because this plant has truly attractive beauty and strength. Bright scarlet, purple, pink, white... poppy flowers can take on any form, but that’s not why they love him...

What is truly important for people is the “healing rainbow” composition of poppy seeds. After all, it is in it that hides both great healing power and no less great danger for human body. At least this is true for those types of poppies that contain opium. It is noteworthy that the potential danger of “Opium poppy” is assessed so highly that in Russia since 2004 it has been prohibited to independently grow any opium-containing species of poppy of the genus Papaver. And since then, only “pure” poppy varieties have been sold in stores.

As for healing power poppy seeds, then this side of them has found universal recognition in the world. Moreover, both in the orthodox and in folk medicine.

Let's talk about this.

Chemical composition of poppy

The benefits and harms of poppy

People have learned to benefit from all parts of the plant, but here we will talk exclusively about poppy seeds. Because as soon as we are in pure form and we can buy it in the store. The rest is the lot of industry and traditional medicine.

By the way, technical oil is prepared from poppy seeds, which serves as a raw material for the production of margarine. But this does not mean that the poppy should be “branded” as harmful product nutrition. On the contrary, poppy seeds are an excellent source of health, youth and pleasure (and we are not talking about opium at all, because it is obtained not from ripe poppy seeds, but from green pods).

However, to be honest, people most often remember poppy seeds precisely in moments of weakness, when you want to pamper yourself... And in such moments you can’t deny yourself, because delicious buns, rolls or honey with poppy seeds can have very, very beneficial influence for the entire human body.

More specifically, ripe poppy seeds:

They improve digestion for people who do NOT suffer from constipation, and help in the fight against diarrhea and even dysentery.
Calm the nervous system and help people with insomnia fall asleep easier. In addition, poppy seed helps calm convulsive cough for any bronchopulmonary diseases and relieves pain well. The ideal “sleeping pill” is obtained from crushed or mashed ripe poppy seeds mixed with not a large number honey.
Relieve fatigue and lift your spirits.
Strengthen the body's resistance cancer cells and infections.

On top of that, poppy seeds are a treasure trove easily digestible calcium, magnesium and copper. What collectively gives strengthening bone tissue and an increase in hemoglobin in the blood. If we compare the effectiveness of poppy seeds and modern drugs calcium, then it is better to choose poppy seed. This will be both more effective and safer. Moreover, to obtain a noticeable effect, it is enough to eat about 50 grams of crushed/ground ripe poppy seeds (separate from other food).

Unfortunately, these days poppy is loved mainly for its calming effect on the body, but its most valuable mineral composition Only a few know these wonderful seeds. Therefore, almost no one uses this natural source of “living” calcium. Now all the “storehouses” of poppy seeds are open for you - use them for your health.

But remember! Poppy seeds can also be harmful. When exactly? In case of uncontrolled use of poppy seeds as a sleeping pill (sedative) by people from among:

patients with cholelithiasis
those suffering from pulmonary emphysema
with depressed breathing and bronchial asthma
for liver diseases
suffering from chronic constipation

It is not recommended to give poppy “sleeping pills” to small children (at least under 2 years of age). Although in other sources milk of poppy is called absolutely safe means. Which, of course, is not far from the truth if given in tiny doses.

It is also important to understand that when we talk about contraindications, we do not mean pharmacological sleeping pills made from poppy seeds, and folk remedies, the recipes of which are shared without a twinge of conscience and without thinking about the consequences by all and sundry.

Use of poppy in cooking

From ancient times to this day, many ritual dishes such as kutya, poppy seeds are richly flavored with poppy seeds. Easter cakes and wedding cakes. In addition, everyone is probably familiar with the taste of buns and rolls with poppy seeds.

Milk of the poppy is also prepared from poppy seeds, which is an excellent source of complete vegetable protein and easily digestible calcium, magnesium and copper. And absorb it from milk useful substances much easier than from whole seeds.

Poppy seeds are added to dairy products (yogurt, kefir), and to halva, and even to pasta (after frying it in butter). So if you see the benefits of eating poppy seeds, you can easily find dishes to which you can add them...

Confectionery poppy seeds are prepared and processed in a special way. herbaceous plant of the Poppy family, which are sold in stores for use in culinary products such as cakes, pies, cookies, pastries and others. Confectionery poppy seeds are produced only at licensed enterprises food industry according to GOST R 52533-2006. In their raw form, poppy seeds contain a narcotic substance and are contraindicated for consumption, as they can harm human health. For cooking confectionery food poppy It is recommended to buy only in trusted stores in original packaging.

Composition of confectionery poppy seeds:

Confectionery poppy consists approximately:

77% from fat;
13% from proteins;
10% from carbohydrates.

Confectionery poppy seeds contain a certain amount of minerals and vitamins.

Among the mineral substances that make up confectionery poppy seeds are copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, cobalt, iron and zinc.

Confectionery poppy contains vitamins PP and E.

The calorie content of confectionery poppy seeds is about 505 kcal per 100 grams of product.

How to prepare confectionery poppy seeds:

Preparing confectionery poppy seeds at home is impossible, since poppy cultivation is prohibited by the UKRF. In its raw form, poppy seeds contain a narcotic substance and any violation in the technology of its preparation can lead to a product that can harm human health, therefore food poppy seeds are produced only at enterprises that have the appropriate license. To produce edible poppy seeds, the enterprise uses only fully ripened and dried poppy seeds, which undergo additional processing, are packaged and sent to stores.

Nowadays you can buy edible poppy seeds in any supermarket. It is sold in ready-to-eat form. It does not need to be processed in any way if this is not provided for in the recipe.

Benefits of confectionery poppy seeds:

Edible poppy seed is tasty and nutritious product, toning the nervous system and uplifting the mood. Vitamin E contained in confectionery poppy seeds is an antioxidant and immunomodulator that helps protect the body from harmful substances and increase its resistance to infections. Confectionery poppy also helps to cope with insomnia. Among others beneficial properties confectionery poppy: strengthening properties, helping fight diarrhea and anthelmintic.

Harm and contraindications of confectionery poppy:

Everything is good in moderation. And eating poppy seeds is no exception. Excessive consumption of poppy seeds can lead to obesity with all negative consequences, since food poppy seeds are very high in calories.

Edible poppy is contraindicated for people suffering from chronic constipation, bronchial asthma, cholelithiasis, emphysema and liver diseases. If you have at least one of the listed diseases, poppy seeds should be excluded from your diet.

Confectionery poppy seeds are not recommended for use by elderly people and children under 2 years of age. Healthy people It is recommended to use edible poppy in small quantities as part of confectionery and culinary dishes, only in this case the confectionery poppy will become a tasty and healthy delicacy for you.

Where did poppy come from, what vitamins, microelements and minerals it contains - caloric content, what beneficial properties the milky juice from the plant, seeds and leaves of poppy have, its harm and contraindications.

Its leaves are pinnately dissected, hairy-bristly or glabrous. The stems are straight and when damaged begin to secrete milky juice. The flowers are single, large, mostly red, but you can find varieties with yellow, white or pink flowers.

The poppy fruit is a cylindrical or spherical capsule, covered on top with a ribbed disk, under which there are pores. Through these pores small seeds fall out, which can be black, gray or off-white.

Homeland of the poppy- supposedly considered to be the Mediterranean, where its culture came from long before our era. e. appeared in Greece, and then in the countries of Asia Minor.

Several dozen species of this plant are known, but highest value has a hypnotic poppy (opium). Poppy seeds are often feared because of their narcotic properties, as they allegedly contain opium. But in fact, opium, or air-dried milky juice, is obtained only from immature capsules before the seeds develop.

Composition of poppy seeds: vitamins, microelements and calorie content

The petals of this plant contain alkaloids, organic acids, glycosides, flavonoids, fatty oil, anthocyanins, vitamin C. Poppy seeds are rich in large amounts of oil, proteins, and sugar. The milky sap from the stems of the plant contains opium alkaloids (codeine, morphine, papaverine, narcein).

Calorie content of poppy seeds per 100 g of product is 505 kcal:

Proteins - 17.5 g
Fat - 47.5 g
Carbohydrates - 2.0 g

Useful properties - benefits of poppy

Poppy is widely used in folk medicine. With the help of a decoction from the roots of the plant, you can eliminate headache and heal inflammation sciatic nerve. Decoctions from the seeds help improve digestion, and poppy juice can be used as a pain reliever. In ancient times, healers prepared sleeping pills from the seeds of the fruit, which helped relieve fatigue.

Poppy leaves: tonic for fever and soothing for bronchitis. And preparations made from the leaves are used for dysentery, diarrhea, inflammation of the bladder, and help with sweating.

The milky sap of the plant: potent drugs are made from it - sleeping pills, painkillers, antitussives and antispasmodics.

The seeds can be ground - in this form they are used in cosmetology; milk of the poppy is made from them, which is effective means to reduce circles under the eyes and relieve inflammation of the eyelids.

There are several dozen varieties of poppy in nature. Some ornamental varieties are bred specifically for growing in flower beds and front gardens. But even as a result of selection, the plant does not lose opium properties. IN lately due to the spread of drug addiction, the flower received the status "persona non grata". Sometimes producers of edible poppy are also subject to undeserved persecution. However, law enforcement agencies have no complaints about the product itself. Mature seeds do not contain narcotic substances. It's all about foreign impurities, the so-called poppy straw, which cannot be gotten rid of even with the most careful processing of the grains. However, the presence of husks in packaged products is so small that the ban on the sale of confectionery poppy seeds is only puzzling.

Poppy, its beneficial properties and contraindications attracted the attention of scientists in the 16th century. Based on the results of the research, official recommendations for the use of poppy in the most various areas medicine. The plant has been used by people since time immemorial as sleeping pills, analgesic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory. Treated with decoctions

fever,
eliminated swelling of the joints,
cleansed the skin of warty growths.

The grains served as a seasoning for various dishes, were used in baking. Poppy seed oil is considered one of the most valuable vegetable fats.

Composition of poppy and its calorie content

Flower petals are rich in fat (up to 44%), anthocyanins, flavonoids, glycosides, organic acids. Poppy flower is a source of vitamin C, a high molecular weight carbohydrate gum, biologically active substances. IN chemical structure Plants contain more than 20 types of alkaloids, including morphine, codeine, opium and papaverine.

WITH medical point view, is of particular value milky juice of unripe poppy pods, which serves as raw material for the production of painkillers, sedatives and antitussives.

Only seeds are eaten; the bulk of their composition is occupied by fats (up to 77%), approximately 13% are proteins and 10% are carbohydrates. Calorie content of 100 grams of edible poppy seeds is ~556 kcal.

Benefits of poppy seeds – 9 beneficial properties

Painkiller effect

One of the main advantages of poppy is the presence of morphine in its composition, an anesthetic substance widely used in medicine. The presence of ripe poppy seeds in food will help cope with headaches, speed up the healing of small wounds, and start recovery processes in the body after illnesses.
Strengthening the immune system

To increase the body's resistance various diseases, it is important to ensure the supply of microelements and vitamins with food. Poppy seed contains a significant amount of zinc, which is involved in the reproduction of white blood cells, enhances defensive reaction to the introduction of bacteria, viruses and other foreign agents.
Pressure stabilization

The anesthetic properties of poppy seeds and the potassium contained in the seeds ease tension blood vessels, which helps reduce blood pressure, prevent the formation of blood clots. Eating poppy seeds reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which often causes heart attacks and strokes.
Activation of erythropoiesis

Poppy seeds are rich in iron, the entry of which into the body improves blood composition, increases the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells, and ensures the flow of oxygen to tissues and organs. By allowing yourself to enjoy pies and cheesecakes with poppy seeds, you will not only enjoy delicious food, but also powerful charge energy.
Improved vision

Healing properties Maca reduces the risk of macular degeneration of the retina, keeping our eyes healthy for up to old age. Prevention of pathological and age-related changes the retina is promoted by the presence of antioxidant substances, minerals and vitamins in poppy seeds.

A lack of zinc in the body provokes the development diabetes mellitus 2 types. To protect yourself from this disease, which is becoming increasingly widespread in many countries around the world, include poppy seeds in your diet. The seeds can be used for cooking sweet pastries and as a seasoning for meat or vegetable dishes.

Increased bone strength

Poppy seeds contain a lot of calcium, which benefits our bones and teeth. It is known that demineralization of bone tissue occurs with age. Eating dishes seasoned with poppy seeds will help stop this process and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other negative changes in the body caused by calcium deficiency.
Digestion stimulation

The presence of plant fibers in poppy seeds regulates the functioning of the stomach, improves intestinal motility, and eliminates constipation. Infusions of crushed seeds have medicinal properties, relieve inflammation and abdominal pain in case of poisoning accompanied by diarrhea.
Strengthening the nervous system

The minerals and vitamins contained in poppy seeds provide positive influence to stabilize nervous processes, prevent mental disorders, improve mood, help cope successfully with stressful situations. This has a positive effect on the emotional and general health person.

How to take poppy

Pharmaceutical preparations containing poppy alkaloids (opium, codeine, morphine or papaverine) should be taken under strict medical supervision. The required dosage and duration of treatment is determined by a specialist after a detailed examination of the patient’s health condition.

In folk medicine dried leaves and poppy stems are used in in the form of teas and decoctions as an analgesic, expectorant and sleeping pills. Maca infusions are effective in eliminating intestinal disorders, inflammatory processes V bladder. It should be remembered that the plant is poisonous. Self-medication, instead of the expected benefit, can result in irreparable harm to the body.

Using poppy seeds in cooking is absolutely safe. But getting too carried away with it high-calorie product still not worth it. Recommended daily norm consumption of confectionery poppy seeds is 100–135 g.

In the old days, dishes flavored with poppy seeds were served at church holidays and big celebrations. Black grains were sprinkled on Easter and Christmas cakes, decorated with wedding loaves, and poppy seeds with honey served as filling for sweet pies.

Russian Orthodox Church August 14 marks the day of remembrance of the seven Old Testament martyrs of the Maccabees. The First Honey Saving and the Feast of the Origin (Destruction) of the Honest Trees fall on the same date. Life-giving Cross The Lord's. The name Maccabee is popularly associated with poppy, since the seeds ripen in the middle of the last summer month. On the eve of the holiday, housewives bake pies, gingerbreads, and rolls, using poppy seeds when kneading dough, preparing fillings and dressings. The morning meal begins with pancakes, which are served with milk of poppy seeds - seeds ground into flour and mixed with honey.

Poppy seeds can be included in your daily menu by adding a small amount to kefir or yogurt. Fried in butter
What is healthier: butter or margarine? All about the benefits and harm butter how it affects our body, how much to use and what side effects. The seeds are used to season pasta or spaghetti dishes; poppy seeds are used in baking yeast buns, shortbread cookies, sponge cakes and pastries. To add a new savory flavor to baked meat or potatoes, try replacing the breadcrumbs with grains ground in a coffee grinder.

Poppy - harm and contraindications

Long-term use of opium or morphine causes persistent addiction Therefore, such drugs are dispensed exclusively with a doctor’s prescription and are under special control.

Similar medications do not prescribe

patients with oxygen starvation blood;
those suffering pulmonary emphysema, bronchial asthma, liver diseases;
persons alcohol and drug abusers.

Edible poppy, contrary to some claims, is not a drug, although it has a slight hypnotic effect. In this regard, you should not include dishes containing poppy seeds in your diet. children under 2 years old and older people. A contraindication to the use of culinary poppy should be individual intolerance product.

Poppy, seed rich in vitamins and minerals such as: vitamin B1 - 56.9%, vitamin B6 - 12.4%, vitamin B9 - 20.5%, vitamin E - 14%, vitamin H - 30%, vitamin K - 41.7 %, potassium - 23.5%, calcium - 166.7%, silicon - 166.7%, magnesium - 110.5%, phosphorus - 112.9%, iron - 55.6%, cobalt - 180%, manganese - 335.4%, copper - 177%, molybdenum - 13.3%, selenium - 24.5%, chromium - 15.2%

What are the benefits of poppy seed?

Vitamin B1 is part of the most important enzymes of carbohydrate and energy metabolism, providing the body with energy and plastic substances, as well as metabolism branched amino acids. A lack of this vitamin leads to serious disorders of the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems.
Vitamin B6 participates in the maintenance of the immune response, the processes of inhibition and excitation in the central nervous system, in the transformation of amino acids, the metabolism of tryptophan, lipids and nucleic acids, contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells, the maintenance normal level homocysteine in the blood. Insufficient intake of vitamin B6 is accompanied by decreased appetite and impaired skin, development of homocysteinemia, anemia.
Vitamin B9 as a coenzyme they participate in the metabolism of nucleic acids and amino acids. Folate deficiency leads to disruption of the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, resulting in inhibition of cell growth and division, especially in rapidly proliferating tissues: bone marrow, intestinal epithelium, etc. Insufficient folate intake during pregnancy is one of the causes of prematurity, malnutrition, congenital deformities and developmental disorders of the child. A strong relationship has been shown between folate and homocysteine levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, is necessary for the functioning of the gonads and heart muscle, and is a universal stabilizer cell membranes. With vitamin E deficiency, hemolysis of erythrocytes and neurological disorders are observed.
Vitamin H participates in the synthesis of fats, glycogen, amino acid metabolism. Insufficient intake of this vitamin can lead to disorders normal condition skin.
Vitamin K regulates blood clotting. A lack of vitamin K leads to an increase in blood clotting time, reduced content prothrombin in the blood.
Potassium is the main intracellular ion that takes part in the regulation of water, acid and electrolyte balance, participates in the processes of conducting nerve impulses and regulating pressure.
Calcium is the main component of our bones, acts as a regulator nervous system, participates in muscle contraction. Calcium deficiency leads to demineralization of the spine, pelvic bones and lower limbs, increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Silicon is included as a structural component in glycosaminoglycans and stimulates collagen synthesis.
Magnesium participates in energy metabolism, synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, has a stabilizing effect on membranes, and is necessary to maintain homeostasis of calcium, potassium and sodium. A lack of magnesium leads to hypomagnesemia, an increased risk of developing hypertension and heart disease.
Phosphorus takes part in many physiological processes, including energy metabolism, regulates acid-base balance, is part of phospholipids, nucleotides and nucleic acids, necessary for the mineralization of bones and teeth. Deficiency leads to anorexia, anemia, and rickets.
Iron is part of proteins of various functions, including enzymes. Participates in the transport of electrons, oxygen, ensures the flow of redox reactions and activation of peroxidation. Insufficient consumption leads to hypochromic anemia, myoglobin deficiency atony skeletal muscles, increased fatigue, myocardiopathy, atrophic gastritis.
Cobalt is part of vitamin B12. Activates metabolic enzymes fatty acids and folate metabolism.
Manganese participates in the formation of bone and connective tissue, is part of enzymes involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, catecholamines; necessary for the synthesis of cholesterol and nucleotides. Insufficient consumption is accompanied by slow growth, disturbances in reproductive system, increased fragility of bone tissue, disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
Copper is part of enzymes that have redox activity and are involved in iron metabolism, stimulates the absorption of proteins and carbohydrates. Participates in the processes of providing oxygen to the tissues of the human body. Deficiency is manifested by disturbances in the formation cardiovascular system and skeleton, the development of connective tissue dysplasia.
Molybdenum is a cofactor for many enzymes that ensure the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, purines and pyrimidines.
Selenium- an essential element of the antioxidant defense system of the human body, has an immunomodulatory effect, participates in the regulation of the action of thyroid hormones. Deficiency leads to Kashin-Beck disease (osteoarthritis with multiple deformities of the joints, spine and limbs), Keshan disease (endemic myocardiopathy), and hereditary thrombasthenia.
Chromium participates in the regulation of blood glucose levels, enhancing the effect of insulin. Deficiency leads to decreased glucose tolerance.