Benefits Of Poppy Seeds

Poppy seed is a spice composed of the seed of the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. Poppies have been cultivated for centuries for their beneficial properties.

It is an annual plant that produces big blue or white blossoms on striking stalks. After flowering, the seed pods are gathered and dried to get the seeds from inside the pods. This poppy plant can also be the source of several narcotic substances, specifically opium, from which heroin, morphine and codeine are made.

Also Read: Why You Should Consume Poppy Seeds?

small, kidney shaped seeds are added to foods for their crunchy texture and nutty flavour and as a decoration. Depending upon the number of poppy the seeds might be black, bluish grey or white. These can be found in bakery products and European and Indian cuisines in primary courses and these are also used as a thickening agent.

Other foods which use poppy seeds are bread, rolls, cakes, cookies, biscuits, dressings, salads and vegetable dishes. Poppy seed bagels, bialys and lemon poppy seed cake are popular treats. Strudel and nut rolls can be full of a paste that is made from the crushed seeds.

Poppy seeds have many benefits. Poppy seeds have forty four to fifty percent oil content and are pressed to make oil. The oil contains mainly linoleic and oleic fatty acids.

Poppy seeds are very beneficial for the hair. It helps to treat hair problems like hair loss, split hair, dandruff and several other hair problems. They can be applied to the hair along with other ingredients to treat these hair problems as poppy seeds are a rich source of minerals and unsaturated fatty acids.
Poppy seeds are not only beneficial for the hair, they are good for the skin too. It is a great moisturiser. It provides relief from itchiness and burning sensations. It is a good ingredient for a scrub. Poppy seeds have been used for treating eczema.

If you have been suffering from sleeplessness, poppy seeds will help you sleep better. Include it in your diet to relax your nerves and treat your sleep problems.