Opium is a psychotropic substance obtained from the latex of the opium poppy. To be more specific, the resins found in the Papaver somniferum’s seeds (the scientific name of the plant) are dried to make opium. This substance contains two main categories of alkaloids, including phenanthrenes and benzylisoquinolines. Only the phenanthrenes affect the nervous system. As for the benzylisoquinolines, they have vasodilative and antispasmodic propreties. Opium’s first effect is drowsiness, which caused by two powerful alkaloids that act on the nervous system, codeine and morphine. This last substance is present in large quantities in opium (about 10 to 15 per cent of the whole volume). Raw opium is found in the form of brown sticky dough that has a tendency to harden when in contact with the air.
Opium is mainly used as a sedative or analgesic to calm or get rid of pain that is not alleviated by regular analgesics. The morphine contained in opium is a reference analgesic and its action consists of attaching itself to the opiate receptors, which are ?-opioid receptors of the nervous system, spinal cord and abdomen. Therefore, morphine works as a substitute for endogenous peptides, endorphins and enkephalins, all of which are responsible for the inhibition of pain. More specifically, the substance P, which is the cause of the pain’s intensity, is inhibited by morphine. The effect of codeine is quite similar, which is why it is called central analgesic. In addition, codeine only has a low level of toxicology in comparison to other analgesics.
Opium has very powerful tranquillising virtues, hence the drowsiness it generates in patients. The narcotic virtues of opium will make the patient fall asleep, which is why it is recommended by many homoeopaths in case of insomnia. Besides that, the high level of papaverine contained in opium makes it an antispasmodic. In addition, opium remains a relatively mild product in low doses and is widely used in herbal medicine. Regarding the aniseed opium tincture or paregoric, its effect on diarrhoea are well-known. However, opium granules are also recommended in case of constipation. Finally, Opium is a remedy used in homeopathy in case of prolonged obnubilation occurring after a general anaesthesia. It is also used in case of intestinal transit problems that manifest themselves after a surgical intervention.
The existence of different opium varieties suggests that their effects are highly variable. In fact, morphine and codeine are extracted from opium, as is also the case of heroin which is illegally obtained from the same product. An overdose is therefore dangerous to one’s health and medical advice is always indicated. Furthermore, opium must be consumed in low doses to avoid any risk of dependency and to ensure that the patient’s body can bear its effects.
In case of obnubilation after a general anaesthesia, it is recommended to take 5 granules of Opium 30 CH three times a day until the symptoms disappear. To facilitate the resumption of the digestive transit after an abdominal surgery, it is recommended to take 5 granules of Opium 9 CH three times a day, until everything is back to normal.
Good to know: Generally used for surgical operations, opium may also be used for personal purposes. When people with cancer experience unbearable pain, opium is injected into the rectum or taken orally.