Poppy Capsule
罂粟壳 · Yīng Sù Qiào
Controlled herb for chronic diarrhea and cough
What it does
Poppy capsule eases chronic diarrhea, chronic cough, and stubborn pain when other herbs haven't worked. In TCM, the dried seedpod (latex removed) astringes the intestines and lungs and alleviates pain. The remaining trace alkaloids (morphine, codeine) give the capsule its action. Strictly controlled; addiction and respiratory depression are real risks.
How to take it
Used only in practitioner-prescribed formulas at 3–6g of processed pod. Strictly short-term (no more than a few days). Modern medicine has safer pharmaceutical alternatives.
Avoid self-use entirely. Modern medicine has safer alternatives
Safety
- Controlled substance. Heavily restricted in most countries
- Risk of addiction and respiratory depression even at low doses
- Strictly avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Skip if you have respiratory disease or operate machinery
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) yields multiple TCM herbs from its different parts: the milky latex (Ying Su, opium), the seeds, and the dried seedpod (Ying Su Qiao). The capsule, after latex extraction, retains trace amounts of morphine and codeine, giving it gentler effects than raw opium. China heavily restricts the herb due to its history. Most countries treat poppy capsule as a controlled substance.