Locally Harvested wild lettuce tincture from Mama T's garden.

Ingredients: Wildcrafted wild lettuce, 190 Proof organic grain alcohol.

Pain Relief

Otherwise known as “Opium Lettuce”, this plant does not contain any opiates and is entirely legal. Its pain relieving effects come from the milky white substance it excretes, lactucarium, whose active compounds are comparable to the distilled, synthetic versions found in prescription painkillers. The main active compounds in lactucarium are lactupicrin, lactucin and lactucopicrin. These compounds have been found to possess analgesic activity, along with sedative activity. One study claimed that a mere 30 mg/kg dose of lactucopicrin is similar to a 60 mg/kg dose of ibuprofen. The compounds found in the lactucarium work in the way morphine does, directly impacting the central nervous system, blunting its ability to feel pain.

It is recommended by herbalists as a remedy for severe migraines and is especially effective for women who suffer acute pain during their menstrual cycle.

Sedative

The pain relieving qualities of Wild Lettuce also aid in relaxing the body. This makes it very useful in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety, with it also called a feeble opium because it does not upset the digestive system. However, it is said to produce a euphoric, dreamy effect making it much easier to drop off to sleep.

This sedative effect make it especially beneficial to an overactive nervous system and it’s particularly good for hyperactive children.

Respiratory Health

Wild lettuce can be used as a natural treatment for asthma and coughs. The powerful herb helps reduce irritation of the bronchial tubes and lungs. It’s also able to loosen mucus and difficulty breathing associated with asthma. Furthermore, it can be an effective treatment for whooping cough and bronchitis.