Wild Lettuce

A plant that can grow up to 1,5 metre, with big toothed eggshaped leaves, and yellow flowers.

Scientific name

Lactuca Virosa.

Family

Compositae.

Native to

Southern and Central Europe, Northern America.

Active substance(s)

Lactucin, a substance similar to morphine, in a milky juice called lactucarium.

Effect

Lactucarium, or Lettuce-Opium, suppresses the activity of the central nervous system. It has narcotic and paineasing effects, surprisingly similar to those of opium, but milder. Expect a dreamy state. In traditional medicine Wild Lettuce was used to treat bronchitis, cough, nervousness and insomnia.

Usage

To obtain Lettuce-Opium from dried leaves, they need to be soaked in hot water for 8 hours. Then sieve, pressing all the liquid out of the leaves. Now the water has to evaporate until a thick, sticky substance remains, that can be used like opium. Do not boil the liquid, because the heat will destroy the active substance.

Dosage

1 gram of Lettuce-Opium.