California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) vs Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

About

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is an annual or short-lived perennial with finely divided leaves and vibrant orange, yellow, pink, or red blossoms. It is related to the opium poppy.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis, also known as L. angustifolia) is a small, perennial shrub that can grow about 3 ft (1 m) high, characterized by its narrow, silver-green leaves and spiked violet-blue flowers. Renowned for its sweet aroma, lavender has a long history in traditional medicine for improving mood and sleep, and NCCIH says it is promoted today for calming anxiety and stress. NCCIH says studies suggest an oral lavender oil product might help anxiety, but more high-quality research is needed to reach reliable conclusions.

Safety & precautions

Pregnancy: Not recommended unless supervised by a qualified professional. Children & Sensitive Individuals: Ask a qualified professional before giving it to children.

Essential Oil (Internal Use): Avoid ingesting without professional guidance. Allergies or Skin Irritation: Possible when applied topically; discontinue if irritation occurs. Children: NCCIH notes a few reports of breast swelling in children who used lavender skin products, although it is unclear whether lavender was the cause. Pregnancy: NCCIH says little is known about whether lavender is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so seek professional advice.

Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.