Wild Lettuce

Common Name

Standardized: wild lettuce

Botanical Name

Lactuca virosa L.
Plant Family: Asteraceae

Overview

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.

Parts Used

Aerial parts (leaf and stem)

Typical Preparations

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

Precautions

Specific: No known precautions.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.