Annual species belonging to the poppy family. The plant grows to a height of 30 to 1.30 m with blue-green frosted stems and leaves, as well as purple to white petals. In contrast to the corn poppy , the opium poppy is much more dangerous. The white milky sap contained in all parts of the plant is used for the production of opium. Flowering time is June to August. The opium poppy is of pharmaceutical importance for the production of opium, which is obtained from the dried milk juice (Opium crudum) of the unripe capsules. Drying and oxidizing the milk juice produces the crude opium, which is then used pharmaceutically.
Opium may not be used phytotherapeutically due to its strong narcotic effects, it is subject to the Narcotics Act.
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