Opium: Pharmacological properties, historical therapeutic uses, and the symptoms and repercussions of overdose – Traditional opium syrup in medical practice
Mateusz Pawlak
2026-03-23
4 min. read
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Though opium is now primarily associated with its addictive and psychoactive effects, for centuries it served as a versatile remedy with an extensive range of applications—from pain relief to soothing infants. Its history in medicine is as compelling as it is contentious. Explore this article to uncover lesser-known facets of this substance, trace its evolution in therapeutic contexts, and understand the risks linked to improper use.
Opium
Opium is a name used to refer to the dried juice of immature medicinal maple syrup. In the 16th century, the physician Paracelsus named it laudanum, which means a cure for everything. opium contains many alkaloids, and therefore psychotic compounds such as morphine, codeine, or thabina. They have an extremely strong effect on the nervous system of humans and animals. This substance was used for ritual purposes in ancient Rome, Greece, and Persia, as well as in India and China.
Opium has properties
Opium has been used since ancient times mainly as a substance to help with pain, both small and of considerable intensity. Its analgesic functions are mainly due to morphine, which is still used in hospitals as a painkiller for patients experiencing severe pain, e.g. after surgery or serious injuries. It was also a common ingredient in cough syrups that inhibited cough reflexes.
Use of opium
Opium, although once of great pharmacological importance, is now used mainly in the manufacture of drugs. In hospitals and hospices, it is administered as morphine, which helps to eliminate pain and relax patients. One of the opiates, methadone, is also used to treat heroin addiction and as an analgesic in cancer diseases that cause unbearable pain.
Opium syrup
Opium syrup was popular until the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, opium was not considered a drug, but only a medicine. It was used, as mentioned, to treat diarrhea, diarrhoea, hiccups, or pneumonia in children and adults, to suppress cough reflexes and to get rid of persistent cough. In addition, it was given to infants and young children in situations when they were too loud and didn't want to sleep. In fact, it affected the nervous system, and it also inhibited the work of the heart.
Opium is an overdose
At the moment of increasing the dose of this drug, it has the most potent narcotic and relaxant effect, which occurs as a result of the action of psychoactive substances on the nervous system. It makes it extremely easy to become dependent on opium, sometimes even after the first dose. The greatest potency is shown by morphine. However, on the basis of its benefits, it is the strongest drug known to date heroin.
