Garrett MickleyOpium - An Old Addiction
Apothecary Opium Canister
Throughout history opium has been detrimental to individuals and societies. Even as far back as the Neanderthals poppy seeds have been cultivated for the hallucinogenic opium. Although the Neanderthal theory has been widely disputed, the furthest evidence we have of opium use is the ancient texts of ancient Sumeria dating back to 4,000 B.C.E. Today opium is found in forms such as morphine and codeine. These are highly addictive substances. Anyone addicted to an opiate should find help at an opiate medical detoxification program at a medical detox center.
Poppy Seeds
Opium is a liquid scraped from the opium poppy seed. Papaver somniferum, is the opium seed, by scraping the unripened seed capsule, collecting and drying the tincture, opium is made. Poppy seed plants have been cultivated throughout time. From ancient Persia, Egypt, and Mesopotamia this plant and its effects have been used to cure common ailments and emotional troubles.
Ancient Prescriptions
In ancient Greece physicians widely prescribed opium; they would grind the whole poppy seed plant or use some of the tincture as a cure for certain ailments. These ailments included venomous bites, chronic headaches, vertigo, spitting of blood, tightness of breath, colic, urinary tract problems, fevers, melancholy, and the list continues. It was also used to cure those afflicted with womanly ailments, an ancient ancestor to Midol apparently.
Attributes
We know now that the properties of opium did not cure such ailments as vertigo or spitting of blood, though we do know it relieves the sensation of pain. Whether the pain is emotional or physical, it has been used throughout history to help individuals cope with day to day life. Even today poppy seed tea is served at funerals to aid mourners in their grief. Opium has been called many different names such as; The Plant of Joy, Sacred Anchor of Life, Milk of Paradise, The Hand of God, and the Destroyer of Grief. Many ancients thought that opium was specifically given to them from the god(s) to help man and his suffering.
Misguided Attempts
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. Breaking the habit usually requires a medical detoxification center.
Opium Disputes
Opium is a very controversial drug; it has lead to wars among nations and individual wars for those addicted to it. It is smuggled in and out of countries and has truly wrecked nations such as Afghanistan. Still though some countries use it culturally, like the Chinese in the 1800's. During the building of the railroads many Chinese immigrated to the United States. It was widely believed that they were responsible for bringing the 'hydra-headed monster', opium, to the states and ruining society. So in an attempt to create a less addictive pain reliever an English pharmacist, C.R. Alder Wright, created heroin instead. His attempt at creating a less addictive pain reliever failed.
