Introduction

Opium
    Papaver somniferum L. (2n=22)
    Uses and importance:
    • Opium (Papaver somniferum) commonly called opium poppy, is an annual herb belonging to the family papavaraceae.
    • It grows up to a height of 60-120 cm.
    • It is an important medicinal plant.
    • The source of over 40 alkaloids including psychoactive agents.
    • A great boon to psychiatry for the treatment of mental and nervous diseases and to medical research.
    • The commercial product opium is an additive narcotic obtained from the seed capsule of the opium poppy, the source of a number of very valuable alkaloids like morphine, codeine, narcotine, papaverine and thebain.
    • Other minor alkaloids include aporeine, codamine, cryptopine, guoscpopine, hydrocotarinine, laudanine, narcotoline, neopine, oxynarcotine and papaveramine.
    • The seeds are also reported to contain a high % of linoleic acid which lowers blood cholesterol in the human system. The alkaloids, morphine and codeine, are widely used as sedatives to relieve pain and induce sleep, in addition to their use against cough.
    • Opium is a very valuable but dangerous drug.
    • It should be used in very limited quantities and under the strict supervision of o physician.
    • In India, this plant is mainly cultivated for its latex and seeds come as a by product.
    • These seeds are quite a rich source of fatty oil and protein and, in many countries of Europe, employed as a major source of cooking oil.
    • The seed is also an important culinary item in India.
    • It is extremely used in the preparation of native confectionery, pastries and bread. In some places, the young plants are also consumed as a leafy vegetable.
    • This is one medicinal plant which is very lucrative.
    • A crop raised properly, in one hectare area, fetches about 1 lakh rupees. But its cultivation has to be done under the strict control of the central excise department and it cannot be cultivated everywhere.
    • It can be grown only in those areas specified by the government of India.
    DISEASES
    Major disease
    Minor diseases
    Fungal diseases

Last modified: Friday, 22 June 2012, 2:29 PM