Wild Lettuce
Tales of the pain-relieving powers of wild lettuce (Lactuca species) have reached a mythical status across the internet, but how accurate is the name "opium lettuce"? Like all great legends, there is some truth, but the human desire for epic heroes has expanded its strength far beyond its actual power. You may be seeking opium-strength pain relief, but what you'll get is something more on par with aspirin and ibuprofen or other NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).
Sap of all species of wild lettuce found in North America contain the two sesquiterpene lactones, lactucin and lactucopicrin, which are currently believed to be the analgesic compounds. Trust me when I say structural comparison of these to molecules with that of opium reveals major differences and so there's no way the two Lactuca compounds can activate opiate receptors in humans. However, this doesn't mean they don't lessen pain
Medicinal Properties
Lactucin's mechanism of action seems to be a sedative and anti-anxiety effects of the GABA receptor, the brain’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter system. This leads to reduced sensory perception, relaxation, and mild analgesia through depression of the central nervous system.
Lactucopicrin does the same as lactucin, but it also appears to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, which can increase levels of acetylcholine in the nervous system. Acetylcholine has many effects in the brain, one of which is modulation of pain via activation of acetylcholine receptor alpha-7 (⍺7). This is a rather recent and exciting discovery that could be the basis for new pain relief medications.
So yes, wild lettuce sap extract can help with pain. Let me show you how to get it below.
Best Preparation Methods
To extract the maximum amount of lactucin and lactucopicrin—the primary sesquiterpene lactones responsible for wild lettuce's analgesic and sedative properties—it's essential to follow a methodical extraction process that considers the chemical nature of these compounds. Below is a step-by-step guide to preparing a potent wild lettuce tincture:
1. Harvesting at Optimal Time
Timing: Harvest wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa, L. canadensis, or L. serriola) when the plant is in its bolting stage, just before flowering. This stage is reported to have the highest concentration of active compounds.
2. Preparation of Plant Material
Selection: Use the aerial parts of the plant, focusing on leaves and stems, which contain the milky latex rich in lactucin and lactucopicrin.
Drying: Air-dry the harvested material by hanging upside down in a cool, dry, air conditioned location for two-three weeks. Avoid sun-drying, which can degrade these constituents. Freeze-drying is also acceptable but using a dehydrator is not.
Crumbling: Once dried, crush the plant material into a coarse powder to increase the surface area for extraction. Do not turn it into a powder as that will be too hard to filter out later in the process.
3. Alcohol Extraction (Tincturing)
Solvent: Use a high-proof ethanol solution (e.g., 190-proof grain alcohol) as the solvent. Both lactucin and lactucopicrin are soluble in ethanol, making it an effective medium for extraction. Place the crushed wild lettuce in a jar and add 190 proof ethanol to cover the plant matter by 3/4" of excess alcohol.
Maceration: Place the mixture in a sealed glass container and store it in a cool, dark place. Shake the container daily to agitate the mixture. Allow it to macerate for 2–4 weeks to ensure thorough extraction.
4. Filtration
Straining: After maceration, strain the mixture through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to separate the liquid extract from the plant solids.
Pressing: Press the remaining plant material to extract as much liquid as possible.
5. Concentration (Optional)
Evaporation: To concentrate the tincture, gently evaporate some of the ethanol by leaving the container open in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. This step increases the potency of the tincture but should be done cautiously to prevent degradation of active compounds.
6. Storage
Bottling: Transfer the final tincture into dark glass bottles to protect it from light.
Labeling: Clearly label the bottles with the contents and date of preparation.
Shelf Life: Store the tincture in a cool, dark place. Properly prepared tinctures can have a shelf life of +10 years.
Warnings and Precautions
Wild lettuce may have anti-diuretic properties which could be especially problematic for men with enlarge prostates or people suffering from kidney stones. Do not combine wild lettuce with other sedatives, including surgical anesthetics. Do not use if pregnant or nursing.
Common Wild Lactuca Species in North America
Lactuca canadensis – Canada Lettuce or Tall Blue Lettuce
Native; widespread across eastern and central North America.
Lactuca biennis – Tall Blue Lettuce
Native; found primarily in northern and northeastern North America.
Lactuca floridana – Florida Blue Lettuce
Native; distributed mainly in the southeastern and central United States.
Lactuca ludoviciana – Louisiana Lettuce or Western Lettuce
Native; primarily found in central and western parts of North America.
Lactuca pulchella – Blue Lettuce or Wild Blue Lettuce
Native; distributed in the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and western regions.
Lactuca serriola – Prickly Lettuce or Compass Plant
Introduced; widespread and invasive throughout much of North America.
Lactuca tatarica – Tatarian Lettuce
Introduced; found in limited areas of the northern United States and Canada.
Lactuca saligna – Willowleaf Lettuce
Introduced; localized in western North America, particularly in dry regions.
Lactuca virosa – Bitter Lettuce or Wild Opium Lettuce
Introduced; found sporadically in various regions, typically near human disturbance areas.