wild lettuce
Bitter medicinal plant
Wild lettuce refers to several species of the genus Lactuca that grow uncultivated, particularly Lactuca virosa.
The plant has a long history of use in folk medicine as a mild sedative and pain reliever, owing to a milky sap called lactucarium that some claim has effects similar to opium, though much weaker.
She brewed wild lettuce tea to help with sleep.
The plant is sometimes called opium lettuce or bitter lettuce.
Establishing who someone is
- edibleSafe to consume
- harvestGathering mature crops
- wildcraftingGathering uncultivated natural materials
- field guidePortable species identification manual
habitat · roadside · meadow · hedgerow · spring greens · bitter greens · sustainable · gathering
Every second year
- rosetteCircular ribbon ornament
- milky sapOpaque plant exudate
- latexMilky plant-derived polymer
- boltingDeparting at speed
flowering · seed dispersal · yellow flowers · taproot · stem · herbaceous · native · naturalized
Herb steeped in alcohol
- infusionSteeping to extract essence
- remedyCurative treatment or fix
- herbalismPlant-based healing tradition
- apothecaryHistorical medicine preparer
folk medicine · ethnobotany · tea · decoction · poultice · dried leaves · dosage · preparation
Recurring unconscious repose
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
- relaxationState of being unwound
- calmFree from agitation
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
soporific · hypnotic · analgesic · pain relief · tranquil · soothing · rest · slumber
identification
Establishing who someone is
- edibleSafe to consume
- harvestGathering mature crops
- wildcraftingGathering uncultivated natural materials
field guide · habitat · roadside · meadow · hedgerow · spring greens · bitter greens · sustainable · gathering · seasonal
biennial
Every second year
bolting · flowering · seed dispersal · yellow flowers · taproot · stem · herbaceous · native · naturalized
tincture
Herb steeped in alcohol
- infusionSteeping to extract essence
- remedyCurative treatment or fix
- herbalismPlant-based healing tradition
apothecary · folk medicine · ethnobotany · tea · decoction · poultice · dried leaves · dosage · preparation · holistic
sleep
Recurring unconscious repose
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
- relaxationState of being unwound
- calmFree from agitation
drowsiness · soporific · hypnotic · analgesic · pain relief · tranquil · soothing · rest · slumber · somnolent