Lactuca virosa - HerbWorld

it, and it was a popular “sallet” green during theMiddle Ages. Wild lettuce was calledLactucarium, from the Latin word meaning“milky.” The leaves were reputedly thirstquenching, and the sap was believed to have asoothing, sleep producing effect and specialcurative powers. The Roman EmperorAugustus became convinced that a medicine oflettuce saved his life when he lay near death,and in gratitude and admiration he caused astatue and altar to be erected in the plant’shonor. In Assyrian herbal medicine, lettuceseeds were reportedly used with cumin as apoultice for the eyes. The name lactuca isderived from the classical Latin name for themilky juice, virosa, or 'poisonous.' All lettucespossess some of this narcotic juice, Lactucavirosa having the most, and the others in thefollowing order: L. scariola, or Prickly Lettuce,L. altissima, L. Canadensis, or Wild Lettuce ofAmerica, and L. sativa, or Garden Lettuce.Cultivation has lessened the narcotic propertiesof the last, but it is still used for making alotion for the skin useful in sunburn androughness. The Ancients held the lettuce inhigh esteem for its cooling and refreshingproperties.Constituents: the latex known as lactucariumcontains lactucopicrin, lactucerin, lactucone,lactucin and lactucic acid. The leaves contain inaddition traces of a mydriatic alkaloid,flavonoids and coumarins.Medicinal Uses: The drug resembles a feebleopium without its tendency to upset thedigestive system. It is used to a small extent asa sedative and narcotic. Dissolved in wine it issaid to be a good anodyne. It’s said thattwenty-three out of twenty-four cases of dropsywere cured by taking doses of 18 grains to 3drachms of extract in twenty-four hours. It isused in Germany for this complaint, butcombined with more active drugs. It is said tobe also a mild diaphoretic and diuretic, easingcolic, inducing sleep and allaying cough.Water distilled from lettuce (eau de laitre) isused in France as a mild sedative in doses of 2to 4 oz., and the fresh leaves boiled in water aresometimes used as a cataplasm. Dosages ofpowder, 10 to 20 grains or more. Of tincture,30 to 60 drops. Of alcoholic extract, 1 to 5grains. Of Lactucarium, 5 to 20 grains. Of fluidextract leaves, ¼ to 1 drachm. Of syrup,U.S.P., 2 drachms. Tincture, U.S.P., 30 drops.Wild Lettuce helps to calm restlessnessand reduce anxiety; it also helps to induce sleepfor those experiencing insomnia. It has asedative effect on the respiratory system,beneficial for whooping cough andnervous/dry/irritating coughs. It may also helpto relieve birth pains, headaches, andmuscle/joint pains. Calms overactivity oroverstimulation and excitability in children. Itis also taken to treat coughs, often combinedwith herbs such as licorice. Wild lettuce isthought to lower the libido and may also beused to relieve pain.Combines well with Prunusin irritablecoughs: with Humulus, Scutellaria,Cypripedium and Passiflorain insomnia andwith Dioscoreaand Cimicifugaforrheumaticpains. The tea is cooling anddiaphoretic. People use the infusion for gastricspasms, fevers, and insomnia, and apply the sapto rashes, warts and acne. Lactucarium is noteasily powdered, and is only slightly soluble inboiling water, though it softens and becomesplastic.Preparation: The easiest method is to dry theleaves and roots and smoke them in a largepipe. The commercial technique is to heat (notboil) the leaf in water for at least an 8 hourperiod. Then remove the liquid Lactucarinegoes into solution with water. A heat lamp isplaced over the bowl of liquid and a fan is usedto drive the water out of the extraction. Theresult will be a blackish gum which can besmoked best with a waterpipe and hot torch.The gum should be rolled in small balls andsealed in plastic to prevent them from dryingout. The hotter the flame, the better.Toxicity: In large quantities, may causedrowsiness and can repress sex drive.