Wild Lettuce

Botanical name

Lactuca virosa

Also known as Bitter Lettuce, Opium Lettuce, Poisonous Lettuce, Tall Lettuce, and Great Lettuce.

Commonly used to help induce sleep, creating a calming feeling, as well as being a nervous system tonic.

Learn about Wild Lettuce

Wild Lettuce is a valuable remedy for insomnia and restlessness. As an antispasmodic, it can be applied as part of a holistic treatment for whooping cough and dry irritated coughs in general. It relieves colic pains in the intestines and uterus, and so may be used in dysmenorrhea (period pain). It also eases muscular pains related to rheumatism, and has been used as an anaphrodisiac.
Wild lettuce has been used since the 19th century for pain relief, to help induce sleep and as a tonic for the nervous system. It was traditionally used by native North Americans for lucid dreaming purposes.
This relaxing herb can be beneficial for people needing help to get to sleep, calm restlessness or anxiety, and even as an aid when overcoming tobacco and cannabis habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which herbs should I use for sleep?

We have many herbs for sleep that work great on their own or in a blend. The blended teas we offer are gentle and useful when you don't know which is the exact herb to use, but if you want to learn more about the different actions of each sleep herb that would suit your condition, then we can guide you through that.

Below is a quick reference for you, or view the herb profile for further information and FAQs.

Ashwagandha - Promotes sound sleep, regular use not a quick fix.
Passionflower - Sedation and relaxing the nervous system.
Valerian - Sedation, relaxing.
Mulungu - Our most powerful sedating herb, may lead to next day drowsiness.
Skullcap - When you have a busy mind.
California Poppy - Always useful for sleep, especially when pain is the issue.
Hops - Restlessness and anxiety.
Wild Lettuce - Sedating and pain relieving.
Lemon Balm - When low mood is causing sleeplessness.
Blue Lily - Dreamy, relaxing.
Kava - Relaxing and sedating. (Particularly our Borogoru strain)
Chamomile - Gentle relaxant before bed. Soothing and nice.
Lavender - Gentle relaxant before bed. Fragrant and nice.

When should I use Wild Lettuce for sleep?

Wild Lettuce is a valuable remedy for insomnia and restlessness. As an antispasmodic, anodyne and nervine, this relaxing herb can be beneficial for people needing help to get to sleep, calm restlessness or anxiety, and even as an aid when overcoming tobacco and cannabis habits. It’s also helpful for reducing pain, so if that’s what’s keeping you up at night, this could be one to try.

See more on Sleep.

Common Uses

Dry Coughs, Insomnia, Restlessness, Rheumatism, and Bronchitis.

Herbal Actions

Antitussive, Aphrodisiac, and Sedative.

Recipes

Got a recipe? Submit it here for a chance to be featured on our blog.

Precautions

Wild lettuce is likely unsafe when eaten in large amounts or when the wild lettuce has been harvested too early.

Shop Wild Lettuce

Wild Lettuce

Wild Lettuce

Vendor:
Happy Herb Co

Regular price $20.50 AUD

Regular price Sale price $20.50 AUD
Unit price per
Super Chilled

Super Chilled

Vendor:
Happy Herb Co

Regular price From $29.50 AUD

Regular price Sale price From $29.50 AUD
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Nightcap

Nightcap

Vendor:
Happy Herb Co

Regular price $27.50 AUD

Regular price Sale price $27.50 AUD
Unit price per

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References

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactuca_virosa>

<http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail364.php>

<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.2650060514/abstract>

David Hoffman (2003), Medical Herbalism, p.561

Wild Lettuce

Lactuca virosa

Learn about Wild Lettuce

Frequently Asked Questions

Which herbs should I use for sleep?