Foraging Prickly Poppy!

Prickly poppy

Oh so prickly, this noxious weed despite its caustic juices, has been utilized by various native peoples to reduce pain & induce sleep as a mild opiate. The seeds in small quantities are laxative, and the seed oil originally used in place of castor oil. The dried plant can be used in tea, and externally as a wash for burns, rashes, hives, although i believe greatly diluting the solution would be beneficial.

The flowers are quite showy in bloom, drawing the gaze of any foragers eye. Beware the spines, for they are legitimately nasty, and several moments of handling can result in a narcotic effect to the skin.

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