Masquerading as charming backyard ornament, it is in fact an herbal relaxant. California’s state flower, it is one of the most beautiful and distinctive American wildflowers, and you will find it growing abundantly throughout the lower altitudes of California, southeastern Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona.

In Europe, the German Commission E lists California poppy as an antispasmodic and sedative, and lists it for a wide variety of stress and depressive conditions. It has been found to inhibit the body’s production of adrenaline, in turn helping the body to relax. Phytotherapy practitioners commonly use California in combination with passion flower or valerian.