Description

Wild Lettuce

 

Plant use: The use of Wild Lettuce goes back many thousands of years. The Egyptians used Wild Lettuce as an aphrodisiac. At that time, Wild Lettuce was associated with the god Min, a Pan-like fertility deity, who was also the God of magic plants. Min is always pictured with stalks of Wild Lettuce behind him and had a whole festival in his honour. 

Traditionally Wild Lettuce was known as a sedative; and used to quiet the mind and relax an overactive nervous system. Wild Lettuce can produce a euphoric, dreamy effect allowing sleep to flow. 

Wild Lettuce is a very popular herb recreationally for smoking and smoking blends but should not be used as tea regularly as it can be harmful to the liver. 

 

Preparation: Infusion use 5 grams and brew for five minutes and strain or it may be smoked on its own, in a mix or sprinkled onto burning charcoal. Breathe in the sacred scent for meditation and inner calm. 

 

Properties:  The milky white juice that flows through the plant is called Lactucarium and is an analgesic, diuretic, laxative and sedative. It decreases gastrointestinal inflammation and uterine contractions. Hepatotoxic if used regularly as a tea.

 

Scientific name: Lactuca Virosa

 

Common names: Bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce

 

Family: Asteraceae

 

Parts used: Aerial parts