Overview
Opium Poppy is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for male sexual health. Opium (Afeem/Ahiphena) is the dried latex from unripe poppy seed capsules. Contains Morphine — the most powerful natural analgesic known. In Ayurveda, highly purified opium in minute doses was used for severe pain, intractable diarrhea, and insomnia. Now a strictly controlled substance. Poppy seeds (Khus-khus/Posta) themselves are not narcotic and are used in cooking.
How Opium Poppy Helps with Male Sexual Health
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Opium Poppy has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing male sexual health:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu, Ruksha
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Laghu, Ruksha
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Key Constituents
- Morphine (9-12%), Narcotine (1.5-11%), Codeine (0.2-0.6%), Thebaine, Papaverine. Also contains Meconic acid, Lactic acid, Sulphuric acid, Meconic acid, Caoutchouc (rubber), Pectin, and other acids.
- Also Known As
- English: Opium, Poppy
Sanskrit: अहिफेन, अफ़ूक
Hindi: अफ़ीम, पोस्ता
Other Herbs for Male Sexual Health
See all herbs for male sexual health on the Male Sexual Health page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.