15 Top Benefits Of Khus Khus (Poppy Seeds) That Will Shock You!

Listed here are a few of the best known benefits of poppy seeds. Check them out.

By Chandreyee Sen

Monday, December 4, 2017, 11:13

Poppy seeds, खसखस | Health Benefits | क्या आप जानते है खसखस के ये खास फायदे। BoldSky

Poppy seeds are not only famous in this century, but accounts reveal that these were considered as sedatives during the medieval age.

In the Bronze Age, people were also well aware of poppy seeds, as they were mixed with milk and honey and fed for calming down crying babies.

Known by different names in several parts of India like Khus Khus in Hindi, Gasegase in Kannada, Posto in Bengali, etc., poppy seeds are a popular ingredient in several cuisines.

You can find its presence in several dishes; both in the western world as well as in the Asian countries for commercial use. It doesn't have a taste of its own.

The grass root is also of immense value, as the oil extracted from these grassroots are used for medicinal purposes, for making soaps, perfumes, and are even used in beverages and food items.

This immensely beneficial ingredient adds a nice aroma to any cuisine.

Let us look at some of the benefits of poppy seeds.

• Good For Digestion:

Poppy seeds are a rich source of insoluble fibre that helps in the proper digestion and eradicated of the problem of constipation. It improves the functionalities of the system and relieves the body from associated disorders like acidity, heartburn, gas formation, etc.

• Improves Fertility:

The medicinal value of poppy seeds is beneficial for female fertility. Research suggests that if the fallopian tubes are flushed using poppy seeds oil, then it can boost up the fertility rate in women. It removes any debris or mucus in the tube and helps in achieving pregnancy. Nearly 40 percent of women have shown positive results. Further, poppy seeds improve your sexual desires and enhance sexual health by boosting the libido.

• Boosts Energy:

Our body requires an adequate amount of carbohydrates for escalating the energy level to perform complex tasks. Poppy seeds are a rich source of complex carbohydrates, which when dissolved in the body, produce energy. Besides, it also helps in absorbing a sufficient amount of calcium, a deficiency of which can lead to fatigue.

• Cures Mouth Ulcer:

If you are suffering from mouth ulcer, poppy seeds' cooling property can be beneficial for you. For this, you can mix powdered sugar, ground poppy seeds, and crushed dry coconut and shape it as a pellet. This will help you in getting a relief from mouth ulcer.

• Enhances The Brain Function:

Poppy seeds contain calcium, iron, and copper, which are required for your brain's health. These nutrients aid in the regulation process of neurotransmitters and help in the proper functioning of the brain. It is also said to reduce the risk of cognitive disorder.

• Strengthens The Bones:

Our bones require an adequate amount of calcium and copper for its strength. After the age of 40, the bones start degenerating, and people opt for calcium tablets for strength. Poppy seed is a natural ingredient that can strengthen your bones and the connected tissues. Being rich in phosphorous, it also enhances the strength of the bone tissue. Besides, poppy seeds contain manganese that protects your bone from severe injury.

• Regulates Blood Pressure:

If you are a patient of hypertension, consuming poppy seeds-enriched food is beneficial for you. Studies reveal that the oleic acid present in poppy seeds helps in controlling the blood pressure level.

• Boosts Immune System:

Poppy seeds have an adequate amount of iron and zinc, which help in boosting up our immune system and help us fight against any host disease. The zinc content is mainly associated in warding off respiratory ailments. It is also seen that these seeds aid in the production of immune cells in the body.

• Good For The Heart:

Poppy seeds contain zinc that helps lower the respiratory ailments. The seeds are a rich source of dietary fibres that reduce the cholesterol content in the body and improve heart health. Besides, the omega-6 and omega-3 content of poppy seeds is also beneficial for the smooth functioning of your heart.

• Helps Treat Diabetes:

Among the medicinal benefits of poppy seeds, it is seen that it can regulate the blood sugar level. For a diabetic patient, the high fibre content and manganese present in poppy seeds can be good for treating diabetes.

• Helps Prevent Cancer:

A drug called noscapine, made from the derivatives of opium poppy seeds, has shown effective results in treating the tumor and reduce breast and prostate cancer cells. It is seen that poppy seeds have the property to prevent the further proliferation of cancer cells and boost up the carcinogen-detoxifying enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) by almost 78 percent. Even the tincture of this poppy plant aids in treating cancerous ulcers.

• Helps Treat Kidney Stones:

People suffering from kidney stones can opt for poppy seeds because the potassium content in these seeds helps in treating kidney stones and prevents its occurrence as well. But individuals suffering from hyperoxaluria should avoid or limit the poppy seeds consumption, as they can induce the risk of calcium oxalate (kidney stones) formation due to a high content of oxalic acid.

• Good For Thyroid Functioning:

Poppy seeds help in the proper thyroid functioning with the zinc content, the most vital element required by the thyroid glands. The iodinated poppy seed oil is further used for reducing iodine deficiency that leads to thyroid dysfunctioning.

• Prevents Serious Eye Diseases:

Poppy seeds improve your vision and help in treating eye problems. The antioxidant and zinc present in poppy seeds benefit the eyes and prevent the occurrence of macular degeneration - a serious eye problem.

• Helps Cure Sleep Problem:

If you are under too much stress or anxiety, a glass of poppy seed drink can reduce the level of cortisol and reduce the stress level by calming your body. Poppy seeds particularly opium poppy induces the adequate amount of sleep. Have poppy seed tea or make poppy seed paste and mix with warm milk and have it before bedtime. This will eradicate your problem of sleepless nights.

So, these are some of the essential benefits of poppy seeds that can naturally eradicate any ailment prevalent in your body. However, if the ailment has taken a major form, it is advisable to consult a doctor for better guidance. Also, consult your child specialist before giving poppy seeds to your children, so that it doesn't have any adverse effect on their body.