Opium tea (summer time relaxing)

Be warned this brew can be addictive!

Here in the UK for most of the winter it's cold, raining or snowing which means poppy flowers lay dormant without growth. In the UK we seem to have drastically varying weather from 30°c heat in summer to - 10°c in winter.

In the run up to summer I gets warm quickly which help the dormant seeds in the ground spring to life. You see green/grey leaves sprouting and forming stems.

Not all poppies are fit for tea the traditional poppy small with elongated pods have no relaxing properties so avoid that particular flower,
The poppy we are looking for is the Papaver somniferum usually identified by the round seed pods and the 3 to 4 ft hight, that's the opium poppy.

In the UK we only really get fairly small pods due to climate but they work well, I use roughly 20 to 30 pods, (with bigger pods use less).

I start by using a pint of water in a blender, also add some lemon juice or vinegar to help extract the good stuff,
Then add poppies and blend thoroughly.

After move blended materials to a pot and heat on low temperature stirring frequently, be sure to avoid boiling. Heat for 30mins to 2 hours (2hours recommended).

After you can use a cloth or seive to separate materials from the liquid, make sure to squeeze moisture from materials to get the most from your brew.

And its as easy as that!

In history people have used this blend for pain relief, sleep and relaxation, and many other medical reasons. I personally make this brew every summer and really enjoy the high which last for several hours.

Be warned if used daily it becomes highly addictive.

Thanks for reading.