- Scientific name: Argemone ochroleuca L. ssp mexicana L.
- Family: Papaveraceae
- COMMON NAME(S): Aceitilla, Yellow Poppy, Arnica blanca del campo, Thistle (BC), Chicalot, chichilotl or xicolotl (Nahuatl), Chicalote, Chicalote (Mex and Hgo), Chicalote Amarillo, Chicalt, Espinocilla, Flor espinosa, K’umataraku (Purepecha), K’iix-k’anlol ok’iix-saklol (Maya), Kix-kanlol (Yuc), Shate (Purepecha), Tlamexcaltzin, Tzolich (Huastec), Uechinichi (Zapotec), Xata , Xate, Yarg Yech (Zapotec).
Description
Herbaceous from 80 cm to 1 meter in height.
It grows quickly, is very decorative and is covered with thorns.
It is used as a mild tranquilizer and analgesic.
It lives in forests of oaks, pines, other conifers and other broadleaves.
It thrives mainly in open areas.
Medicinal properties
All parts of the chicalote have active components.
The Chicalote belongs to the Papaveraceae family and is native to Mexico; It has numerous medicinal uses, it has been used as an anesthetic for surgeries, to treat the common cold, fever, inflammation and toothaches.
Its chemical constituents include protopin, berberine, and various isoquilines.
The leaves and seeds are used in infusion as sedatives, analgesics and for coughs. They have a slight narcotic effect. The entire plant contains a yellow latex that is used externally against warts.
It can help fight insomnia.
It is used against intermittent fevers, soothing gastrointestinal irritations, purgative and antirheumatic; the flowers as sudorific and pectoral.
Instructions for use
For tooth pain, latex is placed directly on the tooth with cotton.
The juice of the flower and the fruit is used for the fleshiness of the eyes.
The infusion of the flower is used for cough and bile.
Directly applied sheets remove stings. Also in the form of chiquiadores, they are placed on the temple for headaches.
For diarrhoea, the leaves are boiled with toasted and ground rice.
As a nervous calming, the decoction of the leaves is taken before going to sleep. The same decoction is taken on an empty stomach, adding the latex for diabetes.
The infusion is used for insomnia.
The poultice of the fruit with milk is applied on ringworm or scabies.
This plant is also used in cases of seizures, cough, joint diseases, and as a hypnotic, for gingivitis, bad urine, evil eye, bad air, as a narcotic, antispasmodic, cathartic, diarrhea, pain in general.
Cultivation and reproduction
It is an easy plant to reproduce from seed.
It can be planted in the final place or in a nursery to later transplant it, or in pots.
It does not require special care.
The planting time can be in autumn, protecting the seedlings from intense cold, or, at the end of winter, early spring. It requires light and sunny soils.
Always remember to consult with your doctor before starting any treatment with medicinal plants.
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