15 Khus Khus (Poppy Seeds) Benefits For Skin, Hair, Heart & Side Effects

Khus khus, also known as poppy seeds are the nutty oilseeds obtained from the poppy plant. It is cultivated across Southern Eastern Europe and in parts of Asia. It is one of those seeds that are found in every Indian kitchen. It is used in many Indian dishes which adds a nice aroma to it. There are different types of poppy seeds-

1. White poppy seeds – These seeds are used in Indian cuisines and are also known as Asian or Indian poppy seeds.

2. Oriental poppy seeds – These seeds are used in bread and confectionery items and are also known as European poppy seeds.

3. Blue poppy seed – These seeds are used to produce opium and in other commercial uses and are also known as opium poppy.

Other than being used in dishes, it is packed with different vitamins and minerals, dietary fibres and electrolytes and has a number of health benefits and is used to treat many diseases related to heart, hair, skin and digestion. It is also helpful in preventing diabetes, insomnia, kidney stones, bone disorder and brain-related diseases.

Since ancient times, it has been used to treat infertility in women, used as sedatives to calm babies and aid in sleeping. It is widely used in many ayurvedic medicines because of its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Khus Khus Nutritional Value

There are many khus khus benefits. Khus khus have high nutritional value, 100g of seeds contains almost 18g of protein, 28g of carbohydrates, 20g of dietary fibre, 3g of sugar, 42g of fats, 26mg of sodium and 719mg of potassium. It is also a great source of iron, calcium, vitamin B6 and C, magnesium and Omega-6 fatty acids. The regular consumption of these seeds can help in the overall growth and maintenance of our bodies. Let’s have a look at all the amazing benefits of these poppy seeds in detail.

Khus Khus Benefits

1. Prevents insomnia

Consuming khus khus seeds drink helps in soothing and relaxing the muscles and relieves stress. It lowers the cortisol level i.e. the stress hormone in the body. The opium poppy seeds are effective in facilitating deep sleep and reducing restlessness. You can have it with tea or milk before bedtime. 

  2. Improves immunity

Khus khus is a rich source of zinc which is beneficial for our immune system. It helps in overall growth and strengthens our metabolism. The anti-inflammatory properties of khus khus prevent us from several chronic diseases. It provides complex carbohydrates too, which boosts energy and removes fatigue. 

3. Treats infertility in women

The blockage of the fallopian tube through mucus or debris can prevent the implantation of eggs in the uterus which leads to infertility in women. Studies have shown that flushing the fallopian tubes with poppy seeds oil can dissolve any debris and increase the chances of fertility. The consumption of khus khus also enhance sexual health and boost sexual desire. This is one of the most useful khus khus benefits. 

4. Prevent heart from diseases

Khus khus have all the qualities that are good for our heart’s health. It is rich in iron which purifies the blood and increases red blood cells and blood flow. The abundance of dietary fibre and Oleic acid present in khus khus regulates the cholesterol level. Omega-6 fatty acids are extremely beneficial and prevent heart attack, heart diseases and blockages. 

5. Aids digestion

The next and one of the important khus khus benefits are that these are a rich source of insoluble fibre; it helps in treating constipation and bloating. It adds bulk to the stool and allows easy passage. It prevents digestive disorders and increases the absorption of nutrients. 

6. Strengthen bones

Poppy seeds consist immense quantity of calcium, zinc and copper. All of these minerals help in strengthening the bones, increase bone mineral density and prevent them from being damaged. The magnesium helps in the production of collagen which maintains the density of bones in younger as well as older people.

 7. Improves skin health

Poppy seeds are very beneficial for our skin health. It can help in treating eczema through a high content of linolenic acid; it reduces the redness, inflammation and itchiness. It is also a good moisturizer and keeps the skin soft and smooth. It also helps to achieve clearer and glowing skin. It is also used in making cosmetics as it effectively reduces scars and marks on the skin.

8. Good for hair

Poppy seeds control hair fall and stimulate hair growth. The unsaturated fatty acids present in khus khus contribute to the healthy growth of hair. Applying the mask made up of these seeds can remove dandruff and reduce the chances of its reoccurrence. 

9. Prevent kidney stones

Khus khus prevent the excess absorption and crystallization of calcium which turns into kidney stones. The potassium content present in it prevents the excretion of oxalate which increases the risk of the development of kidney stones. It also reduces the chances of the stones’ reoccurrence. 

10. Improve vision

The minerals like zinc present in khus khus aid vision health and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. The antioxidants are also beneficial for our eyes. 

11. Cure mouth ulcers

Poppy seeds have a cooling effect on the body which helps in treating mouth ulcers. Sucking crushed dry coconut with poppy seeds and powdered sugar can provide instant relief from mouth ulcers.

12. Proper thyroid functioning

The zinc content present in khus khus helps in the proper functioning of thyroid glands. It is used to treat deficiency of iodine in many parts of the world, which is the main cause of the malfunctioning thyroid glands.

13. Enhance cognitive functioning

Khus khus contain a great number of minerals that are essential for neurotransmitter growth and maintaining proper functioning of the brain. Calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium and copper contribute to the development of the nervous system and prevent it from cognitive disorders too.

14. Help in relieving pain

Khus khus seeds with hot water are really helpful to reduce pain and discomfort. The opium seeds are high in analgesic quality. Zinc present in these seeds aids in faster wound recovery. 

 15. Prevent cancer

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of khus khus help in fighting tumours and reduce oxidative stress. The opium poppy seeds are used in cancer drugs which help in the shrinking of breast and prostate cancer cells. It slows down and in some cases stops the growth of cancer cells and also treats cancerous ulcers.

The poppy seeds are easy to store, if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place they can remain fresh for up to 6 months.

Side-Effects & Allergies of Khus Khus

The moderate use of Khus Khus helps in treating various health issues. But excessive use of poppy seeds can cause problems, which usually happens. when consumed more than 250mg per day.  Cases of pulmonary edema are reported, and in rare instances, death occurred due to the consumption of poppy seeds that were added to tea. Some of the side effects are vomiting, eye and mouth swelling, breathing difficulty and skin redness. Poppy seeds may affect the development of the unborn child, therefore pregnant women should not consume poppy seeds.