Poppy Seeds During Pregnancy

Do not underestimate the benefits of natural remedies for the human body, especially for the body of a pregnant woman. 

Decoctions and dishes with various plants are sometimes more effective than medications and have several advantages over them, such as low price and lack of chemical additives.

One such plant is the poppy, which has a controversial reputation. Someone calls it a poison, someone calls it a treasure trove of useful elements. Can I eat poppy seeds during pregnancy?

General information

The poppy is an herbaceous plant of the poppy family. It is of different species: perennial and annual, with a developed stem and without a stem. It reaches a height of 2.62 to 4.92 ft.

Most people associate the poppy with large red flowers. Poppy flowers consist of four petals colored in red, black or white.

Because of its high morphine and opium content, the poppy has been used in medicine as a painkiller since ancient times. The fruit of the poppy is an oblong shaped capsule, inside which there are about 30 thousand small black seeds.

Because of this feature of the plant, which ensures good fertility, it was considered a symbol of fertility in the Mediterranean states, and was an attribute of Hera, goddess of fertility and patroness of family life.

The benefits of poppy seeds during pregnancy

Since the time of ancient Greece, women have been actively using poppy as a food and as a medicine, because it has a number of beneficial properties:

• High protein and fat content. Poppy seeds are rich in proteins and omega-3 fatty acids (oleic acids). These micronutrients are necessary for a pregnant woman for the normal functioning of the body;
• A remedy for insomnia. A good remedy in the fight against insomnia will be poppy with honey or decoction of poppy seeds;
• Regulation of bodily functions. Morphine contained in poppy helps relieve coughs, eases breathing and reduces the heart rate;
• Antispasmodic effect. Poppy relieves blood vessel spasms, biliary and urinary tract spasms that can plague a woman during pregnancy.

The harm of poppy seeds during pregnancy

Poppy is known for its ambiguous effects on the body because of its narcotic content. When consuming poppy, a pregnant woman should remember the following:

• Harm to the baby. The opiates in the poppy can negatively affect the fetus. If a large dose of poppy is used, the baby may have difficulty breathing.
• False drug tester readings. Even with a small amount of poppy consumed, a urine drug test can show a positive result for up to 48 hours.

Indications

In pregnancy you should use poppy seeds in the following cases:

• Lack of calcium in the body. Poppy contains a huge amount of calcium, which a pregnant woman needs for the proper course of pregnancy and the formation of the fetus;
• Nervous disorders and insomnia. The substances in the poppy have a calming effect and help cope with insomnia;
• Cramps and pains. Poppy decoctions have antispasmodic and analgesic properties.

Contraindications

It is necessary to limit the use of this plant in the following cases:

• Cardiovascular problems. A pregnant woman with cardiovascular disease is at risk when consuming poppy in any form, as it directly affects the condition of the blood vessels and heart function;
• Nervous diseases and depression. Poppy can relieve natural nervous breakdowns and anxiety during pregnancy. However, if the mental condition is more severe and characterized by prolonged depression, the poppy can seriously harm;
• Lung diseases. Women who have lung diseases such as asthma, respiratory depression, etc. should exclude poppy from consumption.

Methods of use

Infusion for sleep disorders

Ingredients: 0.2 oz. dried poppy seeds, 8.8 fl oz. boiling water.

Pour boiling poppy seeds. Wait until the resulting decoction cools. Drink 1.7 fl oz. of it before bed to relieve insomnia.

Poppy seed cake

Ingredients: poppy seeds, 3.5 oz. margarine, ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs, ½ l of kefir, 2 cups of flour, baking soda.

To swell the poppy seeds, fill them with sugar syrup and let stand. To prepare the dough, melt margarine and add to the sugar and eggs. Thoroughly mix until homogeneous.

Add the kefir, flour and a little baking soda to make the dough lush and soft. Mix again, pour into a mold or tray and place in the oven for 20-30 minutes. The finished pie is sprinkled on top with poppy seeds that have swollen in the syrup.

It is recommended to eat this pie in small portions.

Garnish for meat and fish

Ingredients: potatoes, flour, eggs, salt, milk, poppy seeds.

Mix raw eggs, salt and milk until smooth. Roll the potato slices in the flour, the resulting sauce and poppy seeds. Fry until golden brown.

Precautions

Correct dosage. Because of the morphine and opiates in poppy, it should be clearly dosed when consumed. This is especially important for pregnant women.

If you cook poppy cake – eat 1-2 pieces a day, when making decoctions and tinctures, strictly follow the recipe.

Reliable manufacturer. When buying poppy, pay attention to the manufacturer. Due to the increasing frequency of cases of violations of production technology, poppy may have an increased level of toxic substances.

Such cases can occur when picking poppies, when the poppy milk (the most poisonous part of the plant) is squeezed into the box and poisons the kernels. You should choose a proven supplier. It is advisable to read online reviews of manufacturing firms.

So, be careful when consuming poppy seeds during pregnancy.

It has a number of advantages and contains proteins and fats that pregnant women need, but it also contains poisonous substances that can harm both mother and baby.

Observe the precautions and use the gifts of nature wisely, then your pregnancy will go well.