Yellow horned poppy Grantz 1763
Syn. Yellow hornpoppy Scop.
Greater celandine L.
Yellow bedstraw Poir.
Glaukios the golden-yellow
A perennial plant, resistant to drought and salt. It always grows in coastal locations throughout Western Europe and Britain, the Mediterranean, and Western Asia. It loves sunny places and blooms from May to August.
The oil from its seeds was used in soap making and as fuel for traditional lamps, as it burns without producing much smoke.
In traditional medicine, it is believed to increase bile secretion and is therefore used to treat gallbladder and liver problems. It is also believed to relieve bronchial and intestinal spasms. In Algeria, an extract of the plant is traditionally used to treat warts.
Since ancient times, it has been used as a powerful medicine for liver and intestinal disorders. In Dioscorides, it is referred to as long keratitis (4.65):
“ ……The root, when boiled in water and strained, has the power to cure sciatica and liver disorders, and is beneficial to those who are obese or have spider veins. The seed, when mixed with honey, gently cleanses the stomach. . The leaves and flowers, when crushed with oil, are rubbed on animals to remove scabs and nevi.
Contemporary scientific research shows significant anti-cancer activity in extracts from the root of the plant, which is rich in powerful alkaloids. (Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology and Ethnobotany, Algeria, Bournine L, Bensalem S et al., 2013)
Although it has been widely used in traditional medicine, the plant is highly toxic and therefore should not be used without expert knowledge. It is extremely irritating to the eyes and can cause conjunctivitis on contact. Its milky sap can cause anything from simple skin irritation to acute dermatitis.
Glaucin, an alkaloid contained in the plant, has a psychotropic effect similar to that of opiates, causing some people to feel euphoric and calm.
The name of the genus comes from the Greek glaukos = grayish-white, shiny, blue-gray, while the characteristic adjective of the species comes from the Latin flavus-a-um = yellow, golden yellow.
