Botanical – papaveraceae

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• English name - opium
• Hindi name –afim
• Sanskrit name- ahifen
• Gujarati name – afin

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It is seen in areas like Europe, Asia and northern region of Africa.

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It is an annual shrub that attains a height of 3 to 4 feet. The stem is simple and initially unbranched. Leaves are ovate in shape and are parted at the ends. Flowers are big, white or purple in color. Fruits are small and of diameter of one inch. Fruit is also known as doda. The scales of the fruit are known as posht. Seeds are white to black in color.

According to ayurveda it is classified into 4 categories based on the color of the flowers.

These are:-

1. Shwet (white)
2. Peet (yellow)
3. Krishn (black)
4. Chitra (brown)

According to the mode of action, it is classified into 4 categories.

1. Jaran
2. Maran
3. Dharan
4. Saran

According to the location of its growth it is still categorized into 4 parts.

1. Turkey opium
2. European opium
3. Iran opium
4. Indian opium

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Seeds contain a sweet, stable, yellow colored non smelling substance. Opium contains carbonic acid and many alkaloids. These are

Primary alkaloids

1. Morphine
2. Codeine
3. Thebaine
4. Narcotine
5. Papaverine
6. Pseudomorphine
7. Cryptopine
8. Protopine
9. Hydrocatarine
10. Laudanine
11. Laudanosine
12. Meconidine
13. Rhoeadine
14. Codamine
15. Nascopine
16. Xanthaline

Secondary alkaloids

1. Apomorphine
2. Oxydimorphine
3. Apocodiene
4. Desoxycodiene
5. Thebamine
6. Porphyroxine
7. Catarnine
8. Rhoeadenine

Depressing compounds

1. Opionin
2. Meconoidia
3. Meconin

Acids

1. Lactic acid
2. Meconic acid
3. Carbolic acid

Water

Resins

Volatile oils

Sulphur compounds

Ammonia

Magnesium

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It s vata kapha suppressant and pitta aggravator. It is anti-inflammatory and analgesic due to its hot potency. It has a direct effect on the central nervous system. It increases the salivary secretion because of its dry and astringent properties. It stimulates the circulatory system and due to astringent properties it helps in stopping hemorrhages. It also relaxes the respiratory tract. It suppresses the strength of the body. It is a good diaphoretic due to its hot potency. It increases the body temperature.

According to ayurveda it contains

• Gunna (properties) – laghu (light), suksham (small) and ruksha (dry)
• Rasa (taste) – kashaya (astringent), tickta (bitter) and
• Virya (potency) – ushan (hot)
• Prabhav (action) – madak (narcotic)

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It is safe for human consumption when taken in normal dosage. But if taken in abnormal dosage, it can lead to adverse effects on health.

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Fruit extracts.

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1. Joint pains
2. Pleurisy
3. Inflammation
4. Piles
5. Pains in body
6. Pain abdomen
7. Renal calculi
8. Sciatica
9. Back pain
10. Insomnia
11. Epilepsy
12. Parkinson
13. Convulsions
14. Heart related problems
15. Fever
16. Cough
17. Asthma
18. Rhinitis
19. Urine related problems
20. Premature ejaculation
21. Fever

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1. Paste –it is applied on the pain stricken area so as to reduce the pain sensation. It also helps in curbing the inflammation. It is applied on the piles mass so as to reduce the pain and bleeding. It is also used in local application on the penis in case of premature ejaculation.
   

1. Powder –it is used in diseases related to respiratory tract and also helps in reducing the pain caused by any reason in the body as it depresses the activities of central nervous system.

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