FAQ :: Poppy Tea
FAQs and information relating to Poppy Tea.
What is Poppy Tea?
Poppy Tea is a drink made from the crushed pods of the plant Papaver Somniferum. It is quite bitter in flavour, although some will find the taste more unpleasant than others.
Why would I want to drink Poppy Tea?
Because poppy tea is made from the pods of the Opium Poppy, it contains certain psychoactive alkaloids found in the plant. These inlcude Morphine, Codeine, Papaverine, and Thebaine. People drink poppy tea for a variety of reasons. For some it provides a natural form of relief from chronic pain. Others use it purely for its recreational value.
Can I make poppy tea with any kind of poppies?
No. Poppy Tea can only be made from either fresh or dried pods from the Opium Poppy (Papaver Somniferum). There are several "species" of poppy that contain the necessary alkaloids to make tea -- but almost all fall under the label of "Papaver Somniferum". Within the papaver somnfierum species there are several varieties that contain varying amounts of alkaloids, such as "Hens and Chickens", "Persian Whites" and many others. As long as you're sure you have somniferum pods, you're getting the "real deal", so to speak. Other species that contain the "good" alkaloids are Papaver Giganthemum and Papaver Paeoniflorum. Papaver Paeoniflorum is actually just a synonym for Papaver Somniferum, when it is grown decoratively. Papaver Giganthemums are also known as "Giants", due to the fact that their pods are around the size of a tennis ball.
What about Rhoaes, Orientale, California, Prickly or Icelandic Poppies, etc?
These are all beautiful flowers that would go well in anyone's garden. But none of these contain the alkaloids necessary for making poppy tea. Some may contain small amounts, but not enough to be of worth. Others, such as Califonia and Prickly poppies, aren't even poppies at all.
Is Poppy Tea Addictive? Can I overdose on Poppy Tea?
See the section entitled "Addiction and Overdose". Short answer to both: yes.
How do I determine how many pods to use?
The amount of pods used can vary widely by strain and pod size. So just because one batch can be effective with 10 pods, another might only need as few as three for the same effects. So always keep this in mind when deciding to brew tea.
How do you make poppy tea? Basic Poppy Tea Recipe
Brewing up a batch of poppy tea is easy. Essentially all there is to it is grinding up some pods and adding them to boiled water. Presented below is a typical recipie for Poppy Tea. Make sure to always start with very few pods, and then work your way up to receive the desired effects. Remember -- it's better to start small and feel nothing, then to use too much and end up dead. Of course, this recipie is provided for informational purposes only, and it is not recommended that you actually try this.
Making tea using a Bodum french press
One very effective way of making a great batch of tea is called a French press or Bodum. They can be purchased at your local Starbucks or other such establishment.
How many pods should a beginner use to make poppy tea?
Since poppy pods can vary so greatly in quality, there is no "standard" dosage in place. Not to mention that some strains are more potent than others, and so on. Depending on tolerance and other factors, it may only take a couple of pods to gain the desired effects, or it may take twenty. It is a natural product after all, so alkaloid content will vary from plant to plant.
Remember: These are very potent plants, and you should exercise great caution when partaking in poppy tea.
Another Poppy Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
2-4 large dried giganthemum pods or 5-10 medium pods
2 cups water per person
1 medium size pot
1 medium porous strainer or cheesecloth
1 regular mechanical or electric coffee grinder
1 table spoon Honey or Sugar
2 slices lemons
Additional tips
Forum member Sr. Itchy brings to the FAQ his top nine tips for brewing a good cup of tea.
1. Make sure you have a good quality coffee grinder or blender - or that you use one that is effectively disposable. You can get a "disposable" blender at Wal-Mart which you will eventually burn out by pulverizing the poppies. At the other end of the spectrum are the heavy-duty, stainless steel professional models. These high-end machines will last much, much longer and are easier to use.
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