California Poppy Herb, Cut & Sifted Loose Tea, Premium USA-Grown (Eschscholzia californica)

🌼 California Poppy Herb, Cut & Sifted for Calm Evening Teas

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a bright, sun-loving wildflower whose aerial parts, the leaf and flowering tops, have been brewed into gentle, calming teas for generations. We harvest at peak character, dry the herb at low temperature to protect its color and delicate aromatics, then cut and sift it to roughly 3 to 8 mm for even extraction and easy measuring. In the cup it carries a soft, dry sensory profile that calls to mind wormwood, witch hazel, and fresh straw: gently bitter, herbaceous, and naturally caffeine-free, which is exactly what makes it a favorite for unhurried, wind-down rituals.

We are, at heart, a soil-first farm. Our own farm in Colorado earned a groundbreaking Haney Soil Health Score of 25.4, a number that surpasses the soil biology measured in pristine forest land, and that score is the heart of who we are. We believe healthier soil grows more complex, more potent plants, and that philosophy is the standard we hold every herb we carry to: living soil, careful handling, and lab-verified quality in every cup.

Our California poppy is grown in the USA by dedicated domestic growers who share our rigorous, soil-first standards. It is cultivated with regenerative, biological methods, hand-tended through the season, and low-temperature dried in small batches, so each lot reaches you fresh, fragrant, and full of character.

Radical transparency is part of how we work. Every lot of our California poppy is backed by its own Certificate of Analysis verifying purity, potency, and the absence of contaminants, and we publish each batch on our historical lab-results and recipe page so you can confirm the exact lot in your hands. For an evening cup we steep 1 to 2 tsp per 8 oz of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. It blends beautifully: pair it with Skullcap or Passion Flower for a rounder, calm-leaning brew.

🍵 Ways to enjoy it

Product details

❓ Frequently asked questions

Is California poppy the same thing as the opium poppy, and is it habit-forming?

It is a different plant entirely. California poppy is Eschscholzia californica, while the opium poppy is Papaver somniferum, and our herb contains none of the opioid compounds people associate with that other plant. Its gentle, calming character comes from its own naturally occurring plant alkaloids, which is why it has been enjoyed as a simple evening tea for generations. We treat it as a traditional calming herb, not a sedative drug.

How do I brew California poppy for an evening cup, and what does it taste like?

We use 1 to 2 teaspoons (about 1 to 2 grams) per 8 oz of hot water and steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. A longer steep draws out a firmer, drier bitterness, while a shorter steep keeps things soft. The flavor leans gently bitter and herbaceous, with the wormwood, witch hazel, and fresh-straw notes our tasters pick up, and it rounds out beautifully when you blend it with skullcap, passion flower, chamomile, or a little lemon peel and honey.

Where is your California poppy grown, and how do I know each batch is clean?

Our California poppy is grown in the USA by dedicated domestic growers who share our soil-first, biological standards, then low-temperature dried in small batches to protect its color and aromatics. That care reflects who we are as a farm: our own Colorado farm earned a Haney Soil Health Score of 25.4, surpassing the soil biology of pristine forest land, and that belief in living soil is the standard we hold every herb we carry to. Every lot is backed by its own Certificate of Analysis for purity and potency, and we publish each batch's COA so you can verify the exact lot you receive.

Can I drink this with my medications or while pregnant, and what if it is not right for me?

We ask you to use it thoughtfully. California poppy is not recommended during pregnancy or nursing, and because it is traditionally calming, it can add to the effects of sedatives, sleep aids, and alcohol, and may interact with antidepressants such as MAOIs and SSRIs or with blood-pressure medications. If you take prescription medicine, are managing a health condition, or are unsure, please check with a qualified practitioner first. Our policy is simple: if you aren't happy, send it back and receive a full refund. Anytime, for any reason.