Milk of the poppy
The Milk of poppy is a medical drink, an opiate[1] made by Maesters from the Poppy flower and white in color thus its name "milk of the poppy".
About
The Milk is used as a pain killer or anesthetic in Westeros. Normally given to those mortally wounded or in great pain. It has a quick effect of causing sleep, even for people in great pain.[2],[3]
The books' descriptions strongly suggest that the Poppy may well be the same flower found in the real world, and the milk of the poppy's effects are likely a result of a strong content of some combination of morphine and codeine. Milk of the Poppy seems to have some sort of strong undesired collateral effect, probably of addictive and/or incapacitating nature, for we have seen characters prefer to go through strong pain instead of consuming it.[2],[4]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
Tyrion Lannister sees milk of the poppy in Grand Maester Pycelle's collection of medicines and poisons.[5]
Quotes
"Maester, could I trouble you for some milk of the poppy?"[6]
- Prince Doran Martell
References and Notes
- ↑ Westeros.Org: A Lexicon of Ice and Fire
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 67, Tyrion XV.
- ↑ The Citadel: Concordance - Medicines and Poisons
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 31, Jaime IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.