When you think of poppy seeds, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a poppy seed bagel, or any sort of bread, but aside from using poppy seeds in cooking, they’re surprisingly very beneficial for the skin!
Something that has been civilized for over 3000 years, poppy seeds have many uses. During the second century, woman used to farm the plants, which were a controlled substance at the time and used for medical purposes. Currently, poppy seeds are still used as a narcotic to treat pain-related problems. They’re used for treating respiratory disorders, infectious diseases, diarrhea, and sleep disorders. Among other health benefits, poppy seeds are also surprisingly very helpful for skin related issues as well. They can benefit the following:
1. Poppy seeds are effective in treating eczema due to their high content of linolenic acid
2. Creating a paste by soaking the poppy seeds in water or milk then grinding them with lime juice is great for skin itchiness or burning sensations caused by skin inflammation
3. Grinding the seeds and adding milk creates a paste great for moisturizing the skin leaving it soft and smooth
4. Adding honey to the above mentioned paste will aid with dry skin (great for the face – apply for 10 mins then wash it off)
5. They're also good for nourishing the skin, restoring it, and leaving it soft and supple
So next time your reach for the poppy seeds for cooking purposes, remember, you can kill two birds with one stone!