Decoctum Papaveris.—Decoction of Poppies.

Botanical name: 

Related entry: Papaveris Capsulae.—Poppy Capsules

Preparation.—Boil, in a closed vessel, for 10 minutes, 2 ounces (av.) of bruised poppy capsules in 1 ½ pints (Imp.) of distilled water. Strain, and, by pouring sufficient distilled water on the contents of the strainer, bring the measure of the decoction to 1 pint (Imp.). This is official in the Br. Pharm. The seeds should not be rejected, as they add to the emolliency of the preparation.

Action and Medical Uses.—This is a feebly anodyne, emollient, and mucilaginous preparation, used locally as a fomentation to inflammatory parts.


King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.