Argemone mexicana L.
Vernacular name: Mexican prickly poppy, Satyanashi (Hindi: सत्यनाशी)
Species Name: Argemone mexicana L.
Family: Papaveraceae
Habit: Erect annual spiny herb
Stem: Branched, 0.5-1.5 m tall, prickly, glaucous, exudes yellow latex.
Leaf: Alternate, sessile, oblong-lanceolate 6-20 cm long, pinnatifid, spiny margins, white veins.
Flowering: January–April
Flowers: Terminal solitary (cymose inflorescence – solitary pedunculate flowers); bright yellow, 2.5-5 cm diameter, 4-6 crumpled petals.
Fruit: Ovoid prickly capsule 2-4 cm, dehiscing into 4-5 valves.
Uses:
- Root decoction is used for skin diseases like eczema, ringworm, scabies, malarial fever (low doses).
- Tribal “truth destroyer” for snakebite; adulterates mustard oil.
- Seeds are poisonous (epidemic dropsy)
- Latex is used to treat warts.
- Plant has anti-inflammation and antibacterial properties.
- Root and leaves decoction are used to relieve joint and muscle pain.
- Plant parts are used to treat asthma, cough and constipation.
