Opium has been used for centuries, even millennia, dating back to perhaps even the Neanderthals. Neanderthal use of the poppy seeds has been widely criticized, but what is known is that as far back as 4,000 B.C.E. its use is recorded in texts from the ancient Sumerians. Today opium is an ingredient in modern day opiates and has lead to opiate addiction throughout the world. Because of the addictive nature of opiates, anyone using any form of opium should seek an opiate detox program at a medical detox center.
Papaver Somniferum
Opium is an extract taken from the opium poppy. This exudate is obtained by scraping the unripened poppy seed, Papaver somniferum, capsule and then collecting and drying the rubbery remnants. This plant was widely cultivated in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia. Archaeological evidence suggests that even Neanderthal men used poppy seeds in some form. Although still highly controversial, what is known is the use of the ‘plant of joy’ in the ancient Sumerian society dating around 4,000 B.C.E.
Ancient Prescriptions
Ancient Greek physicians widely doled out opium. They would make the medicinal opium by grinding the whole poppy seed plant or just use some of the exudate to cure certain maladies These maladies included venomous bites, chronic headaches, vertigo, spitting of blood, tightness in the chest, colic, urinary problems, fevers melancholy, the list is endless. It was also widely given to women to help cure them of their womanly woes, an ancient Midol.
Emotional Cures
It is known now that opium did not aide all those particular ailments; however, it was popularly used and known for its powers to cure not only physical, but emotional pain. Even today poppy seed teas are made at funerals to ease the grief of mourners. Throughout history it has been known as, The Plant of Joy, Sacred Anchor of Life, Milk of Paradise, The Hand of God, and Destroyer of Grief. It was widely believed cross-culturally that opium was given to humans by the god(s) to relieve mans suffering.
Habit Forming
Although opium is wonderful at relieving pain of the physical and emotional kind, there is a downside. It is highly addictive. Nations around the world such as China, Britain, and the Middle East have been riddled with opiate addiction. It is a very habit forming narcotic that creates a much desired hallucinogenic high. The high induced is a gentle, dream-like state that takes the user away from any pain they’re trying to escape.
Opium Wars
Opium has been a very controversial drug throughout history. It has sparked wars and many conflicts. This has lead to it being smuggled in and out of countries. Still in some cultures opium is widely used, within Chinese culture it was accepted. However, when Chinese immigrants began infilitrating the country to help build railroad they brought their opium addiction with them. By then opium was called the “hydra-headed monster”. In response to this C.R. Alder Wright, an English pharmacist, attempted to create opium that wasn’t addictive. He came up with heroin.
Today opium can be found in forms of morphine or codeine, it is highly dependence forming and many people throughout the United States are addicted to opiates. It is important for those addicted to get opiate medical detox at a detoxification center to cleanse their system of the nasty opiate. There they will also receive the necessary.
