Opium - Papaver somniferum - Abin - අබිං - Ahipēna அபின் - Papaver somniferum

Botanical name  - Papaver somniferum

Family                 -Papaveraceae.

English name      -Opium

Sanskrit names  -Fruit-Kilabheda, Khasatila, Khakhasa,

                              Latex of the fruit- Āphuka, Ahiphēna

                              Seeds- Khasa bīja, Khakhsatila

Singhalese name - Abin  අබිං

Tamil Name - அபின் 

                                   

Parts used   - Fruit pulp

Properties:      

            Rasa         Tikta, Kashaya

            Guna        Laghu, Ruksha, 

            Veerya     Sheeta                   

            Vipaka     Katu

            Prabhava  Madaka           

Attributes / Karma:

Fruit- aggravates Vata. Alleviate Kapha.Constipative, cures cough, emaciative (dhatu śoshakam), causes intoxication & unconsciousness (mada moha krut). Tvak vivardhanam,

Promote appetite. Excessive consumption causes impotency.

Latex- Alleviate Kapha. Aggravate Vata.causes dryness (Śoshana), constipative (dharaka), having the equal qualities of fruit.

Seeds – Aggravates Kapha & alleviate Vata. Strengthening (balya), nourishing (vrushya), having Guru guna,                                                                                               (B.P)

                                                                                                                              

Medicinal uses:

External

·         Conjunctivitis, Otalgiaitis – application or Āshcotana is done by a single drug or mixed with any other liquid mixture.

·         Piles, fissures & other Rectal disorders– enema is used in perineal pain.

Internal

·         Should use in small dose (¼ to 1 Gunja). In high dose it acts as depressant & is fatal.

…

Purification:

It is dissolved in water, rinsed & boiled at lower temperature. Dried Opium when impregnated with juice of ginger for 21 times becomes purified.

Formulations

            Ahiphenāsava, Nidrodaya vati, Karpoora rasa.