Poppy in the Garden – Folk Method Tincture
- Jessy Raspiller
- May 28
- 5 min read
Crafting a tincture using the folk method is a simple way to harness the soothing benefits of California poppy, creating a natural remedy that supports relaxation and restful sleep. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to make your own California poppy tincture, embracing the simplicity and effectiveness of traditional herbal preparation.
On a sun-drenched spring afternoon, the vibrant orange blossoms of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) sway gently in the breeze, their delicate petals capturing the essence of the season. Known for its calming properties, this native wildflower has been cherished in herbal traditions for generations.
As I stepped out back with shears in hand, I caught sight of Poppy, our loyal four-legged garden helper, chasing a bee, tail high and nose twitching at everything scent of life blossoming out back.
She’s always quick to show up when it’s time to clean the yard, especially when there’s a job to do. That day, as I trimmed back a lush patch of California Poppy, I paused—grateful not just for the quiet rhythm of tending the medicine garden, but for the sudden clarity of how much these cuttings had to offer.
Rather than letting the trimmings return to the compost pile, I felt the call to honor their medicine. California Poppy, often dismissed as a simple ornamental, holds gentle yet profound gifts. With reverence, we gathered a basketful of the fresh aerial parts—bright orange flowers, delicate leaves, and stems—and set to work crafting both a flower essence and a tincture.
If making your own flower essences calls to you, consider joining me in August for our in person Essence Ritual Retreat. We’ll go deep into plant spirit connection and create our own flower essences in ritual space. Learn More
Know Your Plant Allies
A Brief Materia Medica: California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
California poppy is a member of the Papaveraceae family, but unlike its cousin the opium poppy, it contains no narcotic alkaloids. Instead, it offers a gentle calming presence to the nervous system.
This plant ally is known for:
– Easing anxiety and restlessness, particularly in sensitive or over-stimulated individuals
– Supporting more restful sleep, especially when the mind won’t quiet
– Relieving minor physical tension, headaches, or growing pains in children
– Helping those who feel spiritually weary or emotionally raw come back to center
Energetically, California poppy softens the edges and brings the nervous system into harmony. It carries the warmth and light of the sun—helpful for those in states of grief, trauma recovery, or those simply needing to return to their inner glow.
Contraindications and Considerations
– Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: While California poppy is generally considered gentle, it’s not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation due to limited safety data.
– Sedative Medications: Because it has mild sedative properties, avoid combining it with other sleep aids, anti-anxiety medications, or central nervous system depressants unless supervised by a practitioner.
– Driving and Machinery: Avoid operating heavy machinery or driving immediately after use, especially when using higher doses or if you’re sensitive to sedatives.
– Children: Use lower doses and consult a qualified practitioner when working with young children.
– Latex allergies- certain proteins in CA Poppy make irritate individuals with latex allergies. Please use with caution
Making a Fresh California Poppy Tincture - Using the Folk Method
What is the Fok Method? The folk method is a simple, intuitive approach to making herbal medicine that relies on observation, tradition, and hands-on practice rather than exact measurements. Instead of weighing herbs or precisely calculating ratios, you fill a jar with plant material—usually fresh or dried—and cover it completely with a solvent like alcohol, vinegar, or oil. It’s a deeply accessible and ancestral way of working with plants, allowing anyone to create effective remedies right from their kitchen using what’s on hand.
You will need:
– Fresh California poppy aerial parts (flowers, leaves, and stems—ethically harvested and sans chemical fertilizers and pesticides)
– Alcohol- I prefer pure grade Ethonal Alcohol. In CA we cannot buy Everclear so I've sourced my tincture ingredients from here Culinary Solvent
– Clean + Sanitized glass jar with lid
– Parchment paper
– Label and pen
Instructions:
1. Harvest Thoughtfully** Collect your poppy plant material in the morning, once any dew has dried. Only harvest from unsprayed areas far from roadways, and always leave enough for the pollinators and for the patch to continue thriving.
2. Chop and Fill Roughly chop the aerial parts and fill a clean glass jar about three-quarters full, packing it gently.
3. Cover with Alcohol Pour your alcohol over the plant material until it is fully submerged. Don't let any plant matter stick out of the solvent. This is an easy inviation for bacteria to grow.
4. Seal Properly Place a square of parchment paper over the mouth of the jar before securing your metal lid. This prevents corrosion and ensures your tincture stays pure and potent.
5. Label and Store Label your jar with the date and contents. Store it in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
6. Strain and BottleAfter the maceration period, strain through cheesecloth and compost the plant material. Pour the tincture into amber dropper bottles and label accordingly.
Good to Know:
California poppy tincture is gentle but effective. Typical adult dosing is 10–30 drops in water up to three times daily, or before bed to encourage deep rest.
**Be sure your plants are ethically sourced. California poppy is not only a state symbol—it’s a wildflower that thrives without chemical input. Avoid harvesting from land treated with fertilizer or weed sprays for at least six years to keep your medicine clean and clear.
There’s something full-circle about this process. A plant grown in beauty, offered back through healing hands. Poppy (the pup) certainly thinks the garden looks easier to chase bugs , but I like to think she also knows we’ve invited in something much deeper.
From trimming to tincture, this medicine reminds us:
there’s value in the cut-back, power in the pause, and potential in what we choose to preserve.
May your days be gently softened by the gifts of California Poppy—and may you always find medicine in your own backyard.
— Jessy
About Jessy Raspiller
Jessy Raspiller is a guide in the art of sacred self-care, weaving together aromatherapy, somatics, and nature-based rituals to support deep nourishment and vitality. With a passion for seasonal living and plant medicine, she helps others align with the rhythms of life through intentional practices. Explore more of her work and join her in reconnecting to the wisdom of the natural world. [Learn more →]
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