What Is Wild Lettuce?

Wild lettuce is a medicinal herb that can be found mentioned in herbal pharmacopoeias dating back hundreds of years. The latex of wild lettuce was once sold as “Lettuce Opium” although it is non-addictive and contains no actual opium.

How to Use Wild Lettuce (Common Uses)

Taken internally as a tea, capsules, or extract. Wild lettuce works well both on its own and when combined with other herbs, and in the appropriate dosage can be given to children.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Wild Lettuce

Wild lettuce is extremely useful as a muscle and nervous system relaxant. It has slightly narcotic effects, and is beneficial as sedative and pain reducing plant. It is most popular as a sleep aid, and is often used in cases of insomnia, restlessness, and over-excitability. Due to its muscle relaxant effects, it is sometimes used to relieve irritated coughs, colic, menstrual cramps, and rheumatism. Wild lettuce is also occasionally used as an aphrodisiac.

Active Constituents in Wild Lettuce

Acids, alkaloids, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, coumarins.