Opium is a psychotropic substance obtained from the latex of the sleeping poppy.

Specifically, the resins from the seeds of Papaver somniferum are dried to obtain opium.

Opium contains two main categories of alkaloids, in particular phenanthrenes and benzylisoquinolines.

Only the phenanthrenes have effects on the nervous system, whereas the benzylisoquinolines have vasodilating and antispasmodic properties.

The first effect of opium is drowsiness, caused by the action of two powerful alkaloids acting on the nervous system, in particular codeine and morphine.

The latter is the major component of opium, accounting for about 10 to 15 percent of the total.

Raw opium is a sticky brown paste that tends to harden on contact with air.

Analgesic action

Opium is mainly used as a sedative and analgesic to calm or suppress pain that is resistant to common painkillers.

The morphine contained in opium is a reference analgesic and its action consists of binding to opiate receptors, which are µ-opioid receptors in the nervous system, spinal cord and stomach.

Morphine thus replaces endogenous peptides, endorphins and enkephalins, which are responsible for pain inhibition.

More specifically, substance P, which is responsible for the intensity of pain, is inhibited by morphine.

Codeine works in a similar way and is therefore called a central analgesic.

In addition, codeine has a relatively low toxicity rate compared with other painkillers.

Opium's other virtues

Opium has very strong sedative properties, which are manifested in the subject in various ways, such as drowsiness.

The narcotic properties of opium can even cause the subject to fall asleep.

This is why many homeopaths recommend this remedy for insomnia.

The high content of papaverine in opium makes it an antispasmodic of choice.

In addition, opium remains relatively mild in small doses and is widely used in herbal medicine.

As for opium anise tincture or paregoric elixir, its effect on diarrhoea is well established.

Opium granules are also recommended for constipation.

Finally, opium is a remedy used in homeopathy for prolonged obtundation after general anaesthesia and for delayed resumption of intestinal transit after surgery.