These beautiful flowers have endured so many unintended acts of “death,” when in truth, their nature is to remind us of BLISS…the remembrance of LOVE. I hear Alanis Morissette singing in my head… Isn’t it ironic?
And yet, within the irony of our human tendency to grasp, whether for pleasure, escape, or meaning, there’s a collective lesson emerging. One about pain, bypassing, and the constant search for relief. While that’s a deeper conversation for another day, today I want to invite all of us to receive the beauty and emotional support these poppies offer.
Welcome them into your garden, your home, your workplace. Their vibrant colors, red, orange, golden yellow, don’t just brighten a space. When observed in nature, they have been shown to lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation.
Just by gazing at a poppy, your mood may lift. These blooms can help trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin, easing anxiety and symptoms of depression. When we pair this with the gift of presence…pausing in quiet, reflective repose…we enter into a natural state of healing.
As a bonus, standing with them under the sun, you receive a gentle boost of Vitamin D, another loving nudge from Mother Nature to tend to your mental and emotional well-being.
So, as inspired, spend time with the poppies. Let your gaze linger. Let your heart soften. Make peace with what we’ve misunderstood in the past, and offer gratitude for the quiet medicine these flowers continue to bring.
Poppy Seed Lemon Loaf (or Muffins)
8-10
servings15
minutes60-85
minutesHealthy Poppy Seed Recipe. Another way to make an amends with Poppies. One of my favorite combos in the kitchen Lemon and Poppy seeds.
Ingredients: (organic and/or clean when possible)
1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ tbsp poppy seeds
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
- Wet Ingredients
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tbsp)
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs, room temperature
⅓ cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice (about 1-2 lemons)
½ cup (120ml) sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat Oven: For a loaf: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal. For muffins: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, rub the sugar and lemon zest together with your fingers until fragrant (this releases lemon oils). Whisk in melted butter, eggs, lemon juice, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the texture light.
Bake: Loaf: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
Muffins: Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about ¾ full). Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool: Loaf: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Muffins: Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Alternatively, healthy poppy seed recipes like muffins add taste crunch to your snacks or meal.
Ayurveda and Poppy Seeds
- Taste (Rasa): Sweet and astringent.
- Energy (Virya): Cooling.
- Post-Digestive Effect (Vipaka): Sweet.
- Dosha Impact: Poppy seeds are primarily balancing for Vata and Pitta due to their cooling and grounding qualities but may aggravate Kapha in excess due to their heavy and oily nature.
- Qualities (Gunas): Heavy, oily, and nourishing, making them suitable for calming overactive Vata (anxiety, dryness) and soothing Pitta (inflammation, heat).
- Overconsumption may increase Kapha, leading to sluggishness or weight gain.
- Ayurveda emphasizes using food-grade, washed poppy seeds to avoid any risk from opiate alkaloids, which could disrupt mental clarity (sattva).
- Not recommended for individuals with low digestive fire (agni) or excessive Kapha conditions like congestion.
Therapeutic Benefits
- Nervous System Support: Poppy seeds are considered a mild sedative in Ayurveda, helping to calm the mind, reduce stress, and support sleep for Vata and Pitta imbalances.
- Digestive Health: Their fiber content aids digestion, and their oily nature lubricates the intestines, benefiting Vata-related constipation.
- Skin and Hair Health: The healthy fats and minerals (like zinc and calcium) nourish the skin and hair, often used in Ayurvedic pastes or oils for external application.
- Respiratory Support: Poppy seeds are sometimes used in remedies to soothe dry coughs or respiratory irritation, especially when combined with milk or honey.
Healthy Poppy Seed Recipes in Ayurveda Culinary Arts
- Poppy seeds are widely used in Ayurvedic cooking to enhance flavor and nutrition:
- Ground Paste: In Indian cuisine, white poppy seeds are ground into a paste for curries, gravies, or desserts like kheer (rice pudding), adding a creamy texture and nutty flavor.
- Spice Blends: Combined with spices like cardamom or saffron in sweets or savory dishes to promote digestion and balance flavors.
- Cooling Dishes: Often paired with cooling ingredients like coconut or yogurt to pacify Pitta, especially in hot climates.
- Example: Poppy seed paste is used in dishes like posto bora (poppy seed fritters) in Bengali cuisine, which is considered nourishing and grounding.
Preparing Ayurveda Poppy Tea
- Poppy seed tea is less common in Ayurveda but may be used as a mild infusion for its calming effects, often combined with herbs like fennel or chamomile to aid digestion and relaxation.
- Traditionally, poppy seeds are soaked or lightly roasted before steeping to release their oils and enhance flavor, aligning with Ayurvedic practices of preparing foods to maximize prana (life energy).
- Used sparingly to promote restful sleep or reduce Vata-related anxiety, but caution is advised due to potential sedative effects from trace alkaloids in unwashed seeds.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Poppy Seeds
- Taste: Sweet and neutral.
- Nature: Neutral to slightly warm.
- Meridian Affinity: Primarily affects the Lung, Large Intestine, and Kidney meridians.
- Yin-Yang Balance: Nourishes Yin (moistening, calming) and slightly warms Yang, making it suitable for conditions involving dryness or weakness.
- TCM practitioners advise caution due to the potential sedative effects of unwashed poppy seeds, which could overly suppress Qi or lead to dependency if misused.
- Contraindicated for individuals with dampness or phlegm conditions (e.g., sluggish digestion, congestion), as their oily nature may exacerbate these issues.
- Always used in small, controlled amounts, and food-grade seeds are preferred to avoid alkaloid-related risks.
Therapeutic Benefits
- Calming the Mind: Poppy seeds are used in TCM to stabilize the spirit, addressing insomnia, anxiety, or restlessness, particularly when related to Lung or Kidney Yin deficiency.
- Lung Health: Their moistening properties help alleviate dry coughs or throat irritation, supporting the Lung meridian.
- Digestive Support: The seeds’ oily nature lubricates the Large Intestine, aiding in relieving constipation, especially in elderly or Yin-deficient individuals.
- Nourishing the Kidneys: Poppy seeds are considered tonifying for Kidney essence, supporting vitality and longevity when used in moderation.
Healthy Poppy Seed Recipes in TCM Culinary Arts
- In TCM, poppy seeds are not a staple in everyday cooking but may be incorporated into congees, soups, or desserts to nourish the body.
- Used in small amounts in dishes to support Lung and Kidney health, often combined with ingredients like sesame seeds, walnuts, or goji berries to enhance nourishment.
- Example: Poppy seeds might be added to a sweet red bean soup or a nourishing porridge for convalescence. As mentioned, healthy poppy seed recipes nourish the Kidneys.
Preparing TCM Poppy Tea
- Poppy seed tea is rare in TCM but may be used as an infusion to calm the spirit (Shen) and promote restful sleep, particularly for those with Yin deficiency (e.g., insomnia, restlessness).
- Often blended with herbs like jujube seeds (suan zao ren) or licorice root to enhance calming effects and support the Spleen and Stomach.
- The tea is prepared by steeping lightly roasted seeds to release their flavor and medicinal properties, aligning with TCM’s emphasis on harmonizing flavors.
Safety Considerations (Ayurveda and TCM)
- Both systems emphasize moderation due to poppy seeds’ potency and potential trace alkaloids in unwashed seeds, which could cause drowsiness or other unintended effects.
- Always use culinary-grade, washed poppy seeds for food and tea to minimize risks.
- Consult me or another qualified Ayurvedic or TCM practitioner before using poppy seeds therapeutically, especially for tea or alchemical purposes, to ensure alignment with individual constitution and/or physical imbalances.
- A simple and safe way to integrate poppy seeds into your spring meals is by trying healthy poppy seed recipes.
Self-Love, Nourishment and Reboot