Botanical Index No. 1111

Wild Lettuce

lactuca virosa

Medicinal Actions

Allergenic, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Candidicide, CNS Depressant, Dermatitigenic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Fungicide, Hypnotic, Hypotensive, Lactagogue, Laxative, Narcotic, Sedative, Soporific, Tonic, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Anaphrodisiac Collyrium Hallucinogen Nervine Poison Tranquilizer Acne Arthrosis Asthma Atherosclerosis Blennorrhea Bronchosis Cancer Candida Catarrh Constipation Cough Cramp Cystosis Dermatosis Dropsy Dysmenorrhea Dyspnea Dysuria Fever Fungus Gout Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hyperkinesis Infection Insomnia Jaundice Laryngosis Mycosis Myosis Nervousness Nymphomania Ophthalmia Pain Pertussis Poison Ivy Priapism Rheumatism Scrofula Spermatorrhea Strangury Swelling Tracheosis UTI Wart Water Retention Yeast

General Dosage

0.5–3 g dry leaf, or in tea, 3 ×/day; 0.3–1 g soft leaf extract; 0.5–3 ml liquid leaf extract 3 ×/day; 0.3–1 g lactucarium 3 ×/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 1 but class 2b. Australians council against exceeding dosage. Contraindicated in BPH and glaucoma. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. I do not believe the CAN listing of hyoscyamine, nor morphine in wild or tame lettuce. Lettuce may contain allergenic sesquiterpenes. Overgrazing on immature wild lettuce has caused dyspnea, pulmonary emphysema, and weakness in cattle. In view of the lack of toxicological data, and the possible allergic activity, excessive use, especially during lactation and pregnancy, should be avoided. Overdoses may cause coma, depressed respiration, dizziness, mydriasis, stupor, tachycardia, tinnitus, and even death. Lactucarium is mydriatic; Lactucin and lactupicrin are sedatives, but do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier.

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