Postadana Powder (Papaver somniferum) – The Ayurvedic Wellness Herb

🌿 Ahiphenakam (Postadana / Opium)

Botanical Name: Papaver somniferum Linn.
Family: Papaveraceae

1. Synonyms

• Sanskrit: अहिफेनकम् (Ahiphenakam), आफूकम् (Aphūkam), खसखस (Khasakhasa)
• English: Opium, Poppy latex
• Arabic: Aphayun
• Persian: Afiyun
• Hindi: Afim (अफीम)
• Etymology:
• Ahi (सर्प) + Phena (फेन) — “Foam or secretion like snake venom” indicating its potent and poisonous nature.
• The term Aphūkam is derived from Arabic Afiyun, meaning the dried latex of poppy capsule.

2. Regional Names

3. Botanical Description

Papaver somniferum Linn. is an erect, annual herb 60–120 cm high, rarely branched, usually glaucous (bluish-green).

• Leaves: Ovate-oblong, amplexicaule (clasping the stem), serrate or lobed, bluish-green.
• Flowers: Large, showy, white or bluish with a purple base; occasionally red or variegated.
• Fruit (Capsule): Globose, smooth, 2–5 cm in diameter, crowned with radiating stigmatic rays.
• Seeds: Tiny, round, white, black, or bluish depending on the variety.
• Latex: The unripe capsules exude a milky latex when incised, which coagulates to form raw opium.
• Habitat: Cultivated widely in northern India—Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of Bihar.
• Flowering & Fruiting Season: November to April.

4. Chemical Constituents

The latex of Papaver somniferum contains more than 30 alkaloids, mainly of the isoquinoline type.

Major Active Alkaloids:

• Morphine (2–22%) — primary active principle
• Codeine
• Thebaine
• Narcotine (Noscapine)
• Papaverine
• Narceine

Minor Alkaloids:

• Cryptopine, Protopine, Laudanine, Laudanosine, Sanguinarine, Reticuline, Berberine, Magnoflorine, Neopine, Codamine, and others.

Other Constituents:

• Organic acids
• Bitter and odorous principles
• Pectin, sugar, albumin, minerals

Distribution of Morphine:

5. Properties and Therapeutic Uses

Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties (गुण, रस, वीर्य, विपाक):

• Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
• Guna (Qualities): Ruksha (Dry), Sara (Flowing)
• Virya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)
• Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect): Katu
• Doshic Action: Pacifies Kapha, aggravates Vata and Pitta.

Classical References:

• Mentioned as Ahiphenakam or Aphūkam in Ayurvedic Nighantus.
• Noted in later texts after introduction during the Mohammedan period.
• Rarely used traditionally due to strong narcotic effects.

Actions (Karma):

• Grahi (Absorbent)
• Shoshana (Drying)
• Shleshmahara (Reduces Kapha)
• Nidrajanana (Induces sleep)
• Vedanasthapaka (Analgesic, pain reliever)
• Stambhaka (Anti-diarrheal, stops secretions)

Therapeutic Uses:

• Pain (especially neuralgic and arthritic)
• Cough (severe, dry type)
• Diarrhea and dysentery (to reduce frequency)
• Sleeplessness and nervous agitation
• Used externally in certain formulations for analgesic purposes

Note: It is not commonly prescribed in Ayurveda for general use due to its strong addictive and narcotic nature. Its use is strictly limited to regulated medical applications.

6. Doses and Administration

• Powder (Churna): 15–60 mg (under medical supervision)

⚠️ Caution:
Excessive or unsupervised use may lead to addiction, constipation, depression, and respiratory suppression. Its medical use in India is strictly controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Summary Table

Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu