Wild Lettuce
Wild lettuce is a tall, often weedy plant that grows along roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas. It's most famous for its milky white sap (called lactucarium), which has a long history of use as a traditional herbal remedy.
Buy Wild Lettuce
Scientific Name: Lactuca virosa
Parts Used: Leaves, stems and flowers
Cautions:
Healing Properties
How to Use:
Herbs are wonderfully versatile and may be used in multiple ways (see list below). However, some methods are better suited to certain herbs than others. Check the HEALING section to see which preparations are recommended for specific uses and conditions.
Grow/Harvest Yourself:
Buy Wild Lettuce
Scientific Name: Lactuca virosa
Parts Used: Leaves, stems and flowers
Cautions:
- May cause rashes on the skin in some individuals
Healing Properties
- Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory
- Good for anxiety, insomnia, pain relief and hyperactivity in children.
- A digestive stimulant and good for stomach problems such as indigestion and lack of appetite
How to Use:
Herbs are wonderfully versatile and may be used in multiple ways (see list below). However, some methods are better suited to certain herbs than others. Check the HEALING section to see which preparations are recommended for specific uses and conditions.
- Add fresh or dried herb to food and beverages.
- Can be taken in store-bought capsule or extract form.
- Essential Oils: Apply externally
- How to Dry Herbs
- How to Make Herbal Teas/Infusions/Decoctions
- How to Make Herbal Vinegars
- How to Make Herbal Syrups
- How to Make Herbal Tinctures & Glycerites
- How to Make Herbal Infused Oils
- How to Make Herbal Ointments & Creams
- How to Make Herbal Poultices & Compresses
- How to Make Herbal Electuaries & Oxymels
- How to Make Herbal Lozenges, Gummies, Capsules
- How to Make Herbal Suppositories & Pessaries
- How to Make Herbal Baths, Steams & Hair Rinses
Grow/Harvest Yourself:
- Buy Wild Lettuce Seeds
- Harvest leaves in June and July
- Zone: 4-9
- Full Sun, Partial Shade