Opium Poppy:The Mystique Plant

Abstract

Opium Poppy (OP) is Papaver Somniferum Linn, a species of the family of Papveracea. It is the ancient companion of mankind during the time of pain and illness since it has been valued as having high medicinal properties for alleviation of pain, as antitussive and also for diarrhea. At the same time it has been a curse for mankind for having the strong addictive properties which cripple the growth of society as a whole. Opium poppy plant is the source of a host of CNS drugs of phenanthrene group of alkaloids and also isoquinoline group of alkaloids, which have significant and varied pharmacological actions chiefly of medicinal value.