Lactuca virosa.   Wild Lettuce, Lactuca   Family: Asteraceae     
PART USED: Leaves, Dried juice
TASTE: Very bitter ODOR: Characteristic, heavy
ACTIONS
1. Mild sedative.[1] Hypnotic.[1]
2. Anodyne.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Insomnia.[1] Restlessness and excitability in children.[1]
2. Pertussis.[1] Irritable cough.[1]
3. Priapism.[1] Nymphomania.[1]
4. Dysmenorrhea.[1]
5. Muscular or articular pains.[1]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Irritable cough. Insomnia.[1]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS  3X /day
Lactucarium (dried juice)0.3-1 g.[2]
Dried leaves  0.5-3 g or by infusion.[1]
Extract of Lettuce (BPC1934) 0.3-1 g.[2]
Liquid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol  0.5-3 ml.[1] 0.5-4 ml.[2]

         
ORIGIN: Europe and Northern Asia.
DESCRIPTION: Biennial plant, when cut exudes a latex. It is similar to garden lettuce, however the leaves are much narrower, with bristles on the undersurface of the midrib. The dried juice is dark reddish brown externally and waxy internally.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Constituents
Research

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) toxicity
Sima Besharat, Mahsa Besharat, and Ali Jabbari
Abstract
Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) can cause toxic effects when eaten. Wild lettuce grows in the north of Iran and some natives consume it unaware of its adverse side effects. We describe eight patients with manifestations of wild lettuce toxicity, admitted to a general hospital affiliated to the Golestan University of Medical Sciences. All the patients recovered (although one had to spend 48 h in the intensive care unit) and no chronic complications were reported. A clinical suspicion of toxicity caused by wild lettuce intake and an accurate history formed the basis of the diagnosis. Conservative treatment, vital sign monitoring, control of patient intake and output, and reducing patient agitation provided the basis for treatment.
BMJ Case Rep. 2009; 2009: bcr06.2008.0134.
Published online 2009 Apr 28. doi: 10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0134
PMCID: PMC3031874
PMID: 21686920 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov