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It resembles a cross between a dandelion and a thistle. As an analgesic herb and sedative it has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years.
In the 19th century it was considered a substitute for opium and was sometimes even called “the poor man’s opium”. Hopi Indians occasionally smoked it to induce a state of mild euphoric dreaming.
Even today in France they use the liquid extracted from this herb as a mild sedative.
Meet the poisonous lettuce (Lactuca virosa)
Do not be alarmed by its name. Although it is called “poisonous”, it actually is not. In English it is called wild lettuce, which better reflects its character.
Poisonous lettuce contains a milky sap that includes small amounts of opioid compounds that relieve pain. When this sap is collected and dried, it is called lactucarium .
Its main active substances are lactupicrin, lactucin and lactucopicrin, which exhibit analgesic and sedative activity similar to ibuprofen.
Researchers in Iran found that this herb was a known pain reliever already in pre-Victorian times.
In one Polish publication from the 19th century, which was also confirmed by the Institute for the History of Science, it is stated that the active substances of poisonous lettuce are indeed weaker than opium, but do not have its undesirable side effects.
Moreover, it was confirmed that in some cases it had better therapeutic effects than opium.
Although it does not contain opium, it has several similar effects. Besides the aforementioned pain reliefpain , it also helps with coughing. It even proved beneficial in severe whooping cough.
Medical uses of poisonous lettuce
Let’s now look at other conditions for which the medicinal effects of this herb can be used.
Anxiety: Poisonous lettuce has mildly sedative effects, which makes it an excellent remedy for anxiety states.
Insomnia: This herb has been used since time immemorial to treat insomnia.
Relief of tension: It is sometimes called opium lettuce because it has effects similar to opium. Not only does it reduce pain, but it also affects the psyche and relieves nervous tension.
Migraines and headaches: It is believed that this herb reduces the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Asthma: In the past, poisonous lettuce was used to treat asthma . Even today many people who use it claim that it reduces the severity of asthma and the problems associated with it.
Mild euphoriant: The main reason many people choose this herb are its opiate-like effects. Poisonous lettuce induces feelings of mild euphoria similar to opiates, although it contains no opiates. Moreover it is completely legal and does not have the negative side effects of opiates.
Warning
Consumption of high doses of poisonous lettuce can cause nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Therefore do not overdo its consumption. The best is to add a few of its leaves to a salad.
How to use poisonous lettuce
When you break the stems of this plant, a thick white liquid similar to milk is released. From this liquid you can make an alcohol tincture or dry it into a powder.
You can also make a tincture by macerating whole leaves and flowers in alcohol.
You can also dry the leaves and flowers and later prepare tea from them.
When using the milky sap add approximately 1.5 grams (a third of a teaspoon) to water, juice or tea.
It can also be smoked in a pipe. For that, 0.25 grams of dried herb is sufficient. When smoked its effect is greatest, but there are also risks associated with inhaling smoke similar to those of ordinary smoking.
