Poppy Capsule (Yingsuqiao)

Poppy Capsule (Yingsuqiao)

Pharmaceutical Name: Pericarpium Papaveris
Botanical Name: Papaver somniferum L.
Common Name:Opium poppy capsule
Poppy capsule
Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The capsules are gathered in summer. After the seeds are removed, the capsules are dried in the sun, and then they are fried with honey.
Properties and Taste: Sour, astringent, neutral and toxic
Meridian: Lung, large intestine and kidney
Functions: To astringe the lungs
To astringe the intestines
To stop pain
Indications and Combinations: 1.     Chronic cough due to deficiency of the lungs.
*Use with with Black plum (Wumei).

2. Chronic diarrhea or chronic dysentery.
*Use with Coptis root (Huanglian), Costus root (Muxiang) and Dried ginger (Ganjiang).

3.    Pain.
*Use alone for the treatment of pain.
Dosage: 3-10 g (Fried with honey, the herb is used for cough; prepared with vinegar, for diarrhea with pain.)
Cautions: This herb is contraindicated in the early stage of cough and dysentery. Care should be taken to avoid overdosing.