Wild Lettuce Herb

Also known as

Latuca virosa, and Bitter Lettuce.

Introduction 

Wild lettuce is not a vegetable but actually a woodland member of the sunflower family. The dried latex or sap of wild lettuce was at one time used as a substitute for opium. Although wild lettuce does not have the calming power of opium, neither does it cause stomach upset, constipation, or diarrhea as opium products do.

Constituents 

The sedative effect of wild lettuce is attributed to lactucopicrin and lactucin. The leaf also contains apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, coumarins, mannitol. The fresh leaf but not the dried herb contains hyosycamine, a chemical also found in henbane.

Parts Used 

Aerial parts (leaf and stem)

Typical Preparation 

Capsules, teas, tinctures. Fresh green leaves are sometimes added to salads.

Summary 

Wild lettuce teas and tinctures are used to induce sleep. Historically, they were especially prescribed for nervous excitability and irritated cough in children. Wild lettuce is included in some herbal mixtures used to threat arthritic pain.

Precautions: None.