Papaver nudicaule L. var. chinense (Regel) Fedde
Aliases：Shān Yīng Sù (literally "Mountain Poppy"), Yě Yīng Sù (literally "Wild Poppy"), and Zàng Jīn Lián (literally "Tibetan Golden Lotus"). (These are all alternative names for Huá Yīng Sù, i.e., the fruit shell or whole herb of Papaver nudicaule var. chinense / Chinese Poppy.)
Huá Yīng Sù (Chinese Poppy) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the fruit shell or whole herb of Papaver nudicaule L. var. chinense (Regel) Fedde, a plant belonging to the genus Papaver of the family Papaveraceae. It grows on slopes, in grassy areas beside ditches, or on alpine meadows at altitudes of 1,800–2,650 meters. It is recorded in Zhonghua Bencao (Chinese Materia Medica).·
Efficacy & Actions
Astringes the Lung to relieve cough, astringes the Intestines to stop diarrhea, and relieves pain.
Indications
Chronic cough and wheezing, chronic diarrhea and chronic dysentery, headache and stomach pain, chest and abdominal pain, rheumatic arthralgia, and traumatic injuries.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitussive and antiasthmatic effects: The decoction and its total alkaloids have shown antitussive effects in preliminary animal studies. It exhibits significant bronchodilatory effects on isolated guinea pig trachea, and shows antiasthmatic effects in guinea pig histamine spray tests. Sedative and analgesic effects: The decoction has significant sedative and analgesic effects in mice. Effect on the intestines: It exhibits significant inhibitory effects on rabbit intestines.
Ingredients
The fruit contains: Nudicauline, amurensinine, reframidine, nudicaulonol, papaverine, and codeine. The whole herb contains: Amurine and amuroline. The flowers contain: Pelargonidin‑3‑gentianoside and nudicaulin.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–9 g; or grind into powder, 2–3 g.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with phlegm‑heat excess. This product is slightly toxic and should be used under the guidance of a physician. Should not be used in excessive amounts or for prolonged periods.
Selected Formulas
For chronic cough with spontaneous sweating (Inner Mongolia Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g of wild poppy (vinegar-fried) and 15g of Wumei (smoked plum, stir-fried). Grind into powder. Take 9g each time before bedtime with plain boiled water. For chronic dysentery and chronic diarrhea (empirical formula) Take equal parts of wild poppy seed pod and Huanglian (Coptis chinensis). Grind into powder. Take 6g each time with Wumei decoction. For rheumatic pain, traumatic injuries, and stomach pain (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1979) Take equal parts of the whole plant of wild poppy, Weilingxian (Clematis chinensis), and Wulingzhi (Trogopterus dung). Grind into powder. Take 9g each time.
Medicinal Parts
It is the fruit shell or whole herb of Papaver nudicaule L. var. chinense (Regel) Fedde, a plant belonging to the family Papaveraceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place in a sealed container, protected from moisture and insects.
