In this paper we will be examining the drug morphine as well as looking at opium poppy, whose family name is Papaveraceae; Genus name Papaver; species name somniferum. First readers will be introduced to the basic anatomy and physiology of the plant, including particulars about morphine’s relationship to opium poppy. Proceeding this discussion, readers will acquire an understanding about the species origin and historical usages. Following the discourse, readers will examine some modern facts and details concerning both the plant and its medicinal extraction, morphine.
Morphine is made by drying out latex serum from the unripe seed capsules of the plant that has been previously exuded (Encycolpaedia Britannica Inc), creating a white powdery …show more content…
These are a handful of examples of Papaver somniferum being used historically for medical purposes. There are more than enough other examples to fill volumes of encyclopedias; however, such is beyond the scope of this paper.
Historical instances of opium poppy being utilized in religious traditions for ritualistic purposes include the Orphic traditions of ancient Greece, where Papaver somniferum seeds were ritually smoked as an offering to the Gods and Goddesses such as: Nyx, Thanatos, and Hypnos (Cleversley). The Goddess of the night, the God of death, and the God of sleep respectfully. Opium was also used by Germanic tribes for rituals, where believers would consume opium poppy to assist in speaking in tongues as a form of worship towards the oracular God Lollus (Cleversley).
In the year 2000 it is estimated that some 8700 tons of Papaver somniferum were harvested, mainly for the production of morphine (Blakemore and White), with India reliably suppling an approximate 600 tons of opium per year (Freemantle). Other major world producers of poppy straw include: Spain, Turkey, France, and Australia …show more content…
The drug completes this task by binding to opioid receptors in the nervous system (Freemantle). Typically these nervous system receptors receive endogenous endorphins, the neurotransmitters naturally produced by the brain to reduce pain (Watson and Breedlove).
Some of the benefits of morphine -and by virtue opium poppy- would include both chronic and acute pain reduction. Pain reduction is especially useful for assisting with the pain brought on by chemotherapy treatments for various forms of cancer. Morphine also has a place in hospice care for patients with chronic conditions (Freemantle).
Although this apparent wonder drug can do so much to negate physical sensations of pain, morphine isn’t without its own set of vices. One dilemma with this whole drug class is how highly addictive the drug is (Freemantle). Another major issue in treatments utilizing morphine is that the human body is quick to develop a tolerance towards the drug; continuously requiring greater quantities to produce the same pain-free effects in patients
Morphine is made by drying out latex serum from the unripe seed capsules of the plant that has been previously exuded (Encycolpaedia Britannica Inc), creating a white powdery …show more content…
These are a handful of examples of Papaver somniferum being used historically for medical purposes. There are more than enough other examples to fill volumes of encyclopedias; however, such is beyond the scope of this paper.
Historical instances of opium poppy being utilized in religious traditions for ritualistic purposes include the Orphic traditions of ancient Greece, where Papaver somniferum seeds were ritually smoked as an offering to the Gods and Goddesses such as: Nyx, Thanatos, and Hypnos (Cleversley). The Goddess of the night, the God of death, and the God of sleep respectfully. Opium was also used by Germanic tribes for rituals, where believers would consume opium poppy to assist in speaking in tongues as a form of worship towards the oracular God Lollus (Cleversley).
In the year 2000 it is estimated that some 8700 tons of Papaver somniferum were harvested, mainly for the production of morphine (Blakemore and White), with India reliably suppling an approximate 600 tons of opium per year (Freemantle). Other major world producers of poppy straw include: Spain, Turkey, France, and Australia …show more content…
The drug completes this task by binding to opioid receptors in the nervous system (Freemantle). Typically these nervous system receptors receive endogenous endorphins, the neurotransmitters naturally produced by the brain to reduce pain (Watson and Breedlove).
Some of the benefits of morphine -and by virtue opium poppy- would include both chronic and acute pain reduction. Pain reduction is especially useful for assisting with the pain brought on by chemotherapy treatments for various forms of cancer. Morphine also has a place in hospice care for patients with chronic conditions (Freemantle).
Although this apparent wonder drug can do so much to negate physical sensations of pain, morphine isn’t without its own set of vices. One dilemma with this whole drug class is how highly addictive the drug is (Freemantle). Another major issue in treatments utilizing morphine is that the human body is quick to develop a tolerance towards the drug; continuously requiring greater quantities to produce the same pain-free effects in patients