Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) Seed Oil: A Comprehensive Phytochemical and Pharmacological Evaluation for Health and Cosmetic Applications

Abstract

The focus of research in the fields of dermocosmetics and biomedicine is increasingly on natural oils in relation to criteria such as biocompatibility, safety and efficacy. Poppy seed oil (Papaver somniferum L.) is notable for its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, antioxidant components and biologically active phytochemicals. A plethora of studies have been conducted on the oil's lipid profile, pharmacological effects, and potential health benefits. These studies have reported findings on a range of topics, including cholesterol level regulation, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. In addition, its capacity to reinforce skin barrier function has led to the proposition of its utilisation as a complementary agent in the management of various dermatological conditions, including eczema, dermatitis, and pressure sores. This review appraises the phytochemical components, pharmacological activities, and contemporary applications of poppy seed oil in the domains of health and cosmetics. As demonstrated by extant literature, poppy seed oil has been utilised not only as a traditional food and oil source, but also as a noteworthy natural raw material for dermocosmetic and biomedical applications.

Keywords

• Papaver somniferum
• Poppy seed oil
• Phytochemical profile
• Cosmetic
• Biocompatibility
• Natural oils
• Skin disorders

Haşhaş (Papaver somniferum L.) Tohumu Yağı: Sağlık ve Kozmetik Uygulamaları için Kapsamlı Fitokimyasal ve Farmakolojik Değerlendirme

Abstract

Dermokozmetik ve biyotıp alanlarında yapılan araştırmaların odak noktası, biyouyumluluk, güvenlik ve etkinlik gibi kriterler açısından giderek doğal yağlara kaymaktadır. Haşhaş tohumu yağı (Papaver somniferum L.), yüksek oranda doymamış yağ asitleri, özellikle linoleik asit, antioksidan bileşenler ve biyolojik olarak aktif fitokimyasallar içermesiyle dikkat çekmektedir. Yağın lipit profili, farmakolojik etkileri ve potansiyel sağlık yararları üzerine çok sayıda çalışma yapılmıştır. Bu çalışmalar, kolesterol seviyesi düzenlenmesi, kardiyovasküler hastalıkların önlenmesi, antiinflamatuar ve immünomodülatör aktiviteler gibi çeşitli konularda bulgular bildirmiştir. Ayrıca, cilt bariyer fonksiyonunu güçlendirme kapasitesi, egzama, dermatit ve bası yaraları dahil olmak üzere çeşitli dermatolojik durumların tedavisinde tamamlayıcı bir ajan olarak kullanılmasının önerilmesine yol açmıştır. Bu derleme, haşhaş tohumu yağının sağlık ve kozmetik alanlarındaki fitokimyasal bileşenlerini, farmakolojik aktivitelerini ve güncel uygulamalarını değerlendirmektedir. Mevcut literatürde gösterildiği gibi, haşhaş tohumu yağı sadece geleneksel bir gıda ve yağ kaynağı olarak değil, aynı zamanda dermokozmetik ve biyomedikal uygulamalar için dikkate değer bir doğal hammadde olarak da kullanılmaktadır.

Keywords

• Papaver somniferum
• Haşhaş tohumu yağı
• Fitokimyasal profil
• Kozmetik
• Biyouyumluluk
• Doğal yağlar
• Cilt rahatsızlıkları

References

1. 1. Aksoylu Özbek, Z., Günç Ergönül, P. (2020). Determination of Physicochemical Properties, Fatty Acid, Tocopherol, Sterol, and Phenolic Profiles of Expeller–Pressed Poppy Seed Oils from Turkey. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 97(6), 591–602. https://doi.org/10.1002/aocs.12337
2. 2. Asil, H., Konuşkan, D.B. (2021). Investigation of fatty acid compositions of obtained from different oilseeds by cold pressed method. Mustafa Kemal University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 26(3), 670–678.
3. 3. Aslan, I. (2007). Plants and Cosmetics. Fitomed, 3, 49-51.
4. 4. Aslan, İ., Kurt, A.A. (2021). In-vitro comparison release study of novel liposome and conventional formulation containing Rosmarinus officinalis extract. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 4(1), 13-21.
5. 5. Aslan, I., Tarhan Celebi, L., Kayhan, H., Kizilay, E., Gulbahar, M.Y., Kurt, H., Cakici, B. (2023). Probiotic formulations containing fixed and essential oils ameliorates SIBO-induced gut dysbiosis in rats.  Pharmaceuticals, 16(7), 1041.
6. 6. Aslan, İ., Tarhan Çelebi, L., Bursalıoğlu, E., Çakıcı, B., Aydin, M.A., Ibrahim, B., Kurt, A.A., (2024). Novel microbiome friendly purifying oil cleanser formulation with oil-soluble postbiotics. Journal of Immunology and Clinical Microbiology, 9(4), 138- 147. https://doi.org/10.58854/jicm.1580770
7. 7. Ayseli, Y. I., Aytekin, N., Buyukkayhan, D., Aslan, I., & Ayseli, M. T. (2020). Food policy, nutrition and nutraceuticals in the prevention and management of COVID-19: Advice for healthcare professionals. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 105, 186-199.
8. 8. Bernáth, J. Poppy—The Genus Papaver; Harwood Academic Press: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1998.

9. 9. Bernáth, J., Németh, É.A Mák. Termesztés és Receptek; Cser Kiadó: Budapest, Hungary, 2010.
10. 10. Buran, A., Topdemir, A., Öztürk, A. (2022). Farklı çözücülerle ekstrakte edilen Papaver. somniferum L. çeşitlerinin antioksidan ve fenolik madde miktarlarının belirlenmesi. In 2nd International Conference on Engineering and Applied Natural Sciences, Konya, Türkiye (pp. 17–22).
11. 11. Frary, A., Camcı, H., Köse, A., Koşar, F.Ç. (2013). Haşhaş (Papaver. somniferum)’ta moleküler genetik analizler (TOVAG 109O797). Izmir, Türkiye
12. 12. Casado-Hidalgo, G., Morante-Zarcero, S., Pérez- Quintanilla, D., Sierra, I. (2023). Influence of fermentation and storage on the content of opium alkaloids in poppy seed yoghurt. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 121, 105412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2023.105412
13. 13. Çopuroğlu, M. (2004). The analysis of polysaccharide compounds of poppy stalk and cotton stalk Master Thesis, Süleyman Demirel University. YÖK Tez No: 143256.
14. 14. Dąbrowski, G., Czaplicki, S., Konopka, I. (2020). Composition and quality of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) seed oil depending on the extraction method. LWT, 134, 110167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110167
15. 15. Dedebas, T. (2024). Oxidative stability of poppy seed oils: kinetic and thermodynamic analyses under accelerated conditions. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 18(3), 1969–1979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694- 023-02323-7
16. 16. Dilek, M., Gültepe, A., Öztaşan, N. (2018). Determination of Essential Oil Composition and Investigation of, Antimicrobial Properties of Poppy (Papaver Somniferum L.) Flower. Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Science and Engineering, 18(3), 786–795. https://doi.org/10.5578/fmbd.67616
17. 17. Doğanay, D., Aydin, M., Aslan, N., & Çelik, Y. (2025). Parents' habits of using food supplements for their children: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic process use of nutritional supplements in children during COVID-19. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 29(1), 335-345.
18. 18. Dzigbodi, D., Bozan, B. (2021). Haşhaş yağı (P. somniferum) yağının fizikokimyasal, tıbbi ve besinsel özellikleri üzerine derleme. Fonksiyonel Gıda Sağlığı Gelişimi Dergisi, 1(1), 14–32.
19. 19. Emir, D.D., Güneşer, O., Yılmaz, E. (2014). Cold pressed poppy seed oils: sensory properties, aromatic profiles and consumer preferences. Grasas y Aceites, 65(3), e029. https://doi.org/10.3989/gya.109213
20. 20. Erinç, H., Tekin, A., Özcan, M.M. (2009). Determination of fatty acid, tocopherol and phytosterol contents of the oils of various poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) seeds. Grasas y Aceites, 60(4), 375–381. https://doi.org/10.3989/gya.129508
21. 21. FAOSTAT. (2020). Rome: FAO. http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#da ta/QC Accessed 01/05/2020 to 04/05/2020.
22. 22. Gençay, Ö. (2013). Hypecoum procumbens L. bitkisinden alkaloidlerin izolasyonu, yapılarının aydınlatılması ve asetilkolinesteraz ve bütirilkolinesteraz inhibisyon aktivitelerinin (Anti-Alzheimer) incelenmesi. Edirne, Türkiye.
23. 23. Ghafoor, K., Özcan, M.M., AL-Juhaimi, F., Babiker, E.E., Fadimu, G.J. (2019). Changes in quality, bioactive compounds, fatty acids, tocopherols, and phenolic composition in oven- and microwave- roasted poppy seeds and oil. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 99, 490–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.10.017.
24. 24. Gonçalves, R. V., Costa, A. M., & Grzeskowiak, L. (2021). Oxidative stress and tissue repair: mechanism, biomarkers, and therapeutics. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021, 6204096.
25. 25. Gunal, M.Y, Ayla S, Caglayan B, Beker M.C, Bedri N, Aslan I, Ozdemir E.M, Kilic E, Yesilada E. (2021). Can Carpobrotus edulis, heal incisional and excisional wounds on the skin? Bratislava Medical Journal/Bratislavské Lekárske Listy, 122(12).
26. 26. Guo, L., Winzer, T., Yang, X., Li, Y., Ning, Z., He, Z., et al. (2018). The opium poppy genome and morphinan production. Science, 362(6412), 343–347. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat4096.
27. 27. Gupcsó, K., Németh, É.Z. (2025). Comparison of pressing methods and varieties to produce virgin poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) oil for nutraceutical use. Applied Food Research, 5(2), 101124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afres.2025.101124
28. 28. Gupcsó, K., Kókai, Z., Bálint, M., Tavaszi-Sárosi, S., Németh, É.Z. (2023). Haşhaş (P. somniferum L.) çeşitlerinin yağ kullanımına yönelik duyusal ve fitokimyasal özellikleri üzerine araştırmalar. Foods, 12(17), 3165. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12173165
29. 29. Gültepe, A. (2013). Papaver somniferum L. çiçeklerinin esansiyel yağ içeriği, antimikrobiyal ve antifungal özelliklerinin belirlenmesi Determination of essential oil composition, antimicrobial and antifungal properties of Papaver somniferum L. flowers (Masters Thesis, Afyon Kocatepe University).
30. 30. Güngör, Ö. (2022). Kozmetikte esansiyel yağlar Essential Oils in Cosmetics. Premium e-Journal of Social Sciences (PEJOSS), 6(24), 409–413. https://doi.org/10.37242/pejoss.4261
31. 31. Gürkök, T., Parmaksız, İ., Boztepe, G., Kaymak, E. (2010). Alkaloid Biosynthesis Mechanism in Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). BiyoTeknoloji Elektronik Dergisi Electronic Journal of BioTechnology, 1(2), 31–45.
32. 32. Hao, D. C., Gu, X. J., & Xiao, P. G. (2015). Phytochemical and biological research of Papaver pharmaceutical resources. Medicinal Plants. Chemistry, Biology and Omics, 217-251.
33. 33. Hörömpöli, T. Amit a máktermesztésr˝ol tudni kell. In Gazda Füzetek; Regiocon Kft: Kompolt, Hungary, 1995; Volume 3.
34. 34. Ibrahim B, Kurt AA, Zeren B, et al. Antimicrobial synergy of Lavandula angustifolia L. and Rosa damascena L. essential oils: Preparation of herbal lip formulations. J. Res. Pharm. July 2025;29(4):1636-1652. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1657486
35. 35. İpek, G., Arslan, N. (2012). Gıda maddesi olarak haşhaş (P. somniferum L.) tohumunun değerlendirilmesi. Türk Bilimsel Derlemeler Dergisi, 5(2), 99–101.
36. 36. Kalender, B.Ö. (2002). Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) Seed Oil Extraction and Determination of the Composition of the Oil. Master Thesis, Anadolu Üniversitesi University. YÖK Tez No: 110245.
37. 37. Kliton, J.. Polgár, C., Tenke, P., Kovács, G., Major, T., Stelczer, G., Ágoston, P. Izominvazív hólyagrák képvezérelt sugárkezelése intravesicalisan befecskendezett lipiodolos jelöléssel. A hólyagmegtartó kezelés új lehet˝osége. Orv. Hetil. 2017, 158, 2041–2047.
38. 38. Kurt, A.A., Ibrahim, B., Çınar, H., Atsü, A.N., Bursalıoğlu, E.O., Bayır, İ., ... & Aslan, İ. (2025). Nanoemulsion Hydrogel Delivery System of Hypericum perforatum L.: In Silico Design, In Vitro Antimicrobial–Toxicological Profiling, and In Vivo Wound-Healing Evaluation. Gels, 11(6), 431
39. 39. Kurt, A.A., Aslan, I., & Duman, G. (2021). Next- Generation Natural Baby Barrier Cream Formulations: Physicochemical Analysis and Safety Assessment. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 72(2).
40. 40. Lanˇcariˇcov´a, A., Havrlentov´a, M., Muchov´a, D., Bedn´arov´a, A. (2016). Oil content and fatty acids composition of poppy seeds cultivated in two localities of Slovakia. Agriculture (Polnohospod´arstvo), 62(1), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1515/agri-2016- 0003.
41. 41. Lim, T.K. (2012). P. somniferum. In Edible medicinal and non-medicinal plants: Volume 5, Fruits (pp. 202–217). Springer Netherlands.
42. 42. L´opez, P., Pereboom-de Fauw, D.P.K.H., Mulder, P.P.J., Spanjer, M., de Stoppelaar, J., Mol, H.G. J., et al. (2018). Straightforward analytical method to determine opium alkaloids in poppy seeds and bakery products. Food Chemistry, 242, 443–450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.08.045.
43. 43. Mahdavi-Damghani, A., Kamkar, B., Al-Ahmadi, M. J., Testi, L., Muñoz-Ledesma, F. J., & Villalobos, F. J. (2010). Water stress effects on growth, development and yield of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Agricultural water management, 97(10), 1582-1590.
44. 44. Masihuddin, J. M. A., Siddiqui, A., & Chaudhary, S. (2018). Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Papaver somniferum with special reference of Unani medicine: an updated review. J Drug Deliv Therapeutics 8 (5-s): 110–1164.
45. 45. Muhammad, A., Akhtar, A., Aslam, S., Khan, R. S., Ahmed, Z., & Khalid, N. (2021). Review on physicochemical, medicinal and nutraceutical properties of poppy seeds: a potential functional food ingredient. Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 11(10), 522-547.
46. 46. Németh, É. Series Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering; 4SCI TECH Pub: Houston, TX, USA, 2002.
47. 47. Ozcan, P., Fıçıcıoğlu, C., Yıldırım, Ö.K., Özkan, F., Akkaya, H., & Aslan, İ. (2015). Protective effect of resveratrol against oxidative damage to ovarian reserve in female Sprague–Dawley rats. Reproductive biomedicine online, 31(3), 404-410.
48. 48. Ozdemir, E., Aslan, İ., Çakıcı, B., Türker, B., & Çelik, C.E. (2018). Microbiological property evaluation of natural essential oils used in green cosmetic industry. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 1(2), 111-116.
49. 49. Özgen, Y., Arslan, N., & Bayraktar, N. (2017). Türkiye açısından önemli bitki haşhaşın önemi ve tarımı. Ziraat Mühendisliği, 364, 4–8.
50. 50. Özkan, G., & Baydar, H. (2006). Oil contents, fatty acids and tocopherol compositions of opium poppy (P. somniferum L.) seeds with different colors. Akademik Gıda, 4(4), 17–20.
51. 51. Öztaşan, N., Demirkan, A.Ç., & Çoşkun, Ş. (2017). Research of the Antioxidant Effects of Poppy Consumption in Prenatal and Postnatal Periods. Gümüşhane University Journal of Health Sciences, 6(1), 87–92.
52. 52. Prochazka, P., & Smutka, L. (2012). Czech Republic as an important producer of poppy seed. Agris on- line Papers in Economics and Informatics, 4(2), 35-47.
53. 53. Rashid, U., Ibrahim, M., Nehdi, I. A., Al-Resayes, S. I., Ullah, S., Mehmood, M. A., & Shahzadi, S. (2016). Synthesis and characterization of poppy seed oil methyl esters. Chinese journal of chemical engineering, 24(8), 1087-1096.
54. 54. Saeed, M.K., Zahra, N., Shahadat, N., Shahzadi, K., Abdi, S.H.I., & Syed, Q. (2022). Extraction of poppy seed (Papaver somniferum L.) oil and its antioxidant activity by DPPH Assay. Lahore Garrison University Journal of Life Sciences, 6(2), 95–106. https://doi.org/10.54692/lgujls.2022.0602211
55. 55. Sárkány, S., Bernáth, J., Tétényi, P. A mák rendszertani helye, rokonsága, elterjedése és kemotaxonómiája. In Magyarország Kultúrflórája: A Mák (Papaver somniferum L.); Akadémiai Kiadó: Budapest, Hungary, 2001
56. 56. Shaghaghi, A., Alirezalu, A., Nazarianpour, E., Sonboli, A., & Nejad-Ebrahimi, S. (2019). Opioid alkaloids profiling and antioxidant capacity of Papaver species from Iran. Industrial Crops and Products, 142, 111870.
57. 57. Shukla, S., Mishra, B. K., Mishra, R., Siddiqui, A., Pandey, R., & Rastogi, A. (2015). Comparative study for stability and adaptability through different models in developed high thebaine lines of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Industrial Crops and Products, 74, 875-886.
58. 58. Srinivas, H., & Rao, M. N. (1981). Studies on the proteins of poppy seed (P. somniferum L.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 29(6), 1232–1235. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00108a028
59. 59. Türkavcı, E. (2021). Determination of Physicochemical Properties of Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) Oils obtained by Cold Press Technique Yüksek lisans tezi Master Thesis, Afyon Kocatepe University. YÖK Tez No: 672345.
60. 60. Varga, I., Moslavac, T., Flanjak, I., Iljkić, D., Pospišil, M., Lončarić, Z., & Antunović, M. (2025). White- Seeded Culinary Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) Se Biofortification: Oil Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, and Seed Yield. Plants, 14(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14010095
61. 61. Yadav, H. K., Shukla, S., & Singh, S. P. (2006). Genetic variability and interrelationship among opium and its alkaloids in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Euphytica, 150(1), 207-214.
62. 62. Yazici, M., Duman, G., Aslan, I., Durucan, A., & Sahin, F. (2011). The antifungal activity of liposomal ointment formulation of essential oil of Satureja hortensis. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 22, S108.
63. 63. Yazdani, D., Rezazadeh, S., & Shahnazi, S. (2003). Review of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2(5), 1–12.
64. 64. Yıldırım, B. (2024). Soğuk pres tekniğiyle elde edilen haşhaş (P. somniferum L.) tohum yağı [Lisans tezi, Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi]. YÖK Tez No: 8588. https://acikerisim.aku.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/1163 0/8588
65. 65. Yılmaz, G., & Gökalp, S. (2017). Bazı haşhaş (P. somniferum L.) çeşit ve genotiplerinin alkaloid ve yağ oranlarının belirlenmesi. KSÜ Doğa Bilimleri Dergisi, 20, 313–317.
66. 66. Yücel Şengün, İ., Yücel, E., Öztürk, B., & Kılıç, G. (2020). Fatty Acid Composition, Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Varieties of Poppy (Papaver somniforum) Seed Oils. The Journal of Food, 45(5), 954–962. https://doi.org/10.15237/gida.GD20061
67. 67. Zio, S., Cisse, H., Zongo, O., Guira, F., Tapsoba, F., Siourime Somda, N., ... & Savadogo, A. (2020). The oils refining process and contaminants in edible oils: A review. Journal of Food Technology Research, 7(1), 9-47. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.58.2020.71.9.4