Whether it is an injury or an illness, pain is a very common symptom that can become debilitating on some level. Unfortunately, to get instant relief, a large portion of the population becomes dependent on chemical painkillers by taking them frequently, often masking the problem instead of finding the solution.

Fortunately, for people who want to relieve their pain, nature offers an effective alternative, without side effects and without addiction. Wild lettuce, a powerful natural pain reliever!

Wild lettuce as a healthy alternative

Lactuca Virosa is the scientific term for this plant, commonly known as wild lettuce, or wild lettuce. For a long time, it was used in place of addictive prescription medications. It is a tall, leafy plant, 50 to 200 cm, with small yellow buds, and could be grown in the garden. Most commonly found in North America and England, it is a cousin of the common lettuce we know. We also talk about bitter lettuce, or precisely, opium lettuce.

The reason why it is called opium lettuce is due to the calming and sedative effects that can be obtained from a white substance present in its stem and leaves.

This milky substance is called lactucarium. And although it does not contain opiates, it has similar side effects when used, acting directly on the central nervous system to mitigate the sensation of pain, just like morphine.

A study published in the  Journal of Ethnopharmacology  in 2006 found that lactucin and lactucerol (chemicals found naturally in wild lettuce) reduced pain and promoted sedation when administered to mice.

In history, it has long been used as an alternative pain reliever.

usage history

In the 19th century, doctors used wild lettuce instead of opium when supplies were low. It was also used during the American Civil War when laudanum (a liquid opium preparation) was not available to relieve the pain of the wounded.

The Poles also studied wild lettuce extensively during this time, and doctors noted that, although it had opioid effects, it appeared to have none of the side effects of opium. The results of this research were published in several Polish magazines of the 19th century. “The action of the substance was weaker than that of opium, but free of side effects, and medical practice has shown that in some cases lactucarium produces better curative effects than opium.”

Wild lettuce is usually prepared in two different ways. The first thing was to cook the plant in a pot with sugar water, until the mixture was reduced and had a thick syrup consistency. Although it was an effective way, the mixture was quite bitter even with added sugar. However, the most common way was drying the stem and leaves to use as herbal tea. Take no more than 2 teaspoons of dried leaves to infuse in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes and this once a day.

Other benefits of wild lettuce

These are the most popular reasons to use this natural pain reliever:

Migraines  : People who use it for this purpose claim that they have fewer migraines than before they started using wild lettuce.

Insomnia  – Wild lettuce is frequently used by people who have trouble sleeping. It produces a feeling of relaxation, helping the person fall asleep more easily, without the addictive effects of commonly prescribed sleeping pills.

Anxiety  : Wild lettuce can act as a mild sedative, allowing anxiety sufferers to find respite from stress.

Asthma and cough  : wild lettuce has antitussive properties, which relieve or eliminate cough. Likewise, asthmatic patients who have consumed opiates notice an improvement in their condition. Therefore, using wild lettuce instead of prescription opiates might be a better option for them.

Warning: Pregnant women and people who suffer from ragweed allergy, glaucoma or prostate hypertrophy should not consume it.