Wild Lettuce

Contents: Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

Preparation: May be smoked.

Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa) — Dried Herb

Lactuca virosa aerial parts and latex contain a complex mixture of sesquiterpene lactones (including lactucin and lactucopicrin), polyphenols, and minor flavonoids that contribute to its traditional use and observed biochemical interactions.¹,² In compositional analyses, these sesquiterpene lactones have been linked to modulatory activity in in vitro systems involving enzyme inhibition and receptor-mediated pathways, while isolated polyphenolic fractions demonstrate antioxidant effects without implying specific physiological outcomes.¹,² Traditional herbal literature associates wild lettuce with “soothing” and “relaxation-related” narratives, and contemporary public resources describe its historical use as a leafy botanical with mild calming connotations.³ Contemporary research continues to explore how sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic constituents interact with cellular signalling and redox regulation in model systems, acknowledging variability by plant part, extraction method, and chemotype.¹,²

This information is for educational purposes only and does not refer to the effects of any specific product.

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1. Medina-Lozano, I., Bertolín, J. R., & Díaz, A. (2021). Nutritional value of commercial and traditional lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and wild relatives: Vitamin C and anthocyanin content. Food Chemistry, 359, 129864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129864
2. Mustafa, Y. F. (2025). Coumarins in traditional medicine: Bridging ancient wisdom and scientific progress. Phytomedicine Plus, 5(3), 100857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100857
3. Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa): Pain Relief, Benefits and Risks. (2018, November 9). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/wild-lettuce 

• Caution, smoking is harmful