खसतिलः  – Papaver sommiferum

 

Name – खसतिलः

Botanical name – Papaver sommiferum

Description – Opium consists of the dried inspissated latex from the immature fruits of Papaver somniferum Linn. Of the family Papavaraceae.

Chemical Constituents- It contains about 25 alkaloids the major ones being morphine, codeine, noscapine, papaverine and thebaine. It also contains meconic acid.

Use – It is narcotic and sedative. The drug is mildly sedative, astringent, tonic and aphrodisiac. It is Useful in dysentery and diarrhoea.