For centuries, the wild lettuce plant has been used to provide pain-relieving benefits. It is used to date to reduce symptoms of chronic pain and the pain that comes from certain illnesses like arthritis. Wild lettuce is often considered the wild counterpart of the everyday lettuce that we buy for our homes.

It tastes bitter but has excellent medicinal and nutritional qualities. In Australia, there are mainly two kinds of wild lettuce available. These include the Willow Leaf Lettuce and the Prickly Lettuce.

What Is Wild Lettuce?

Wild lettuce is a herb used as a recreational substance in various parts of the world. Besides being used as a euphoric product, it is also used to treat symptoms of pain. The plant is small to medium-sized and is about 2 meters in length.

When scratched, the plant releases a white latex-like substance, whose chemicals resemble closely to that of opium. This plant also produces orange-colored blossoms that physically resemble dandelions. The plant is soft and tender in touch.

Where Is Wild Lettuce Found Around The Globe?

The Prickly Lettuce is extensively found in the central as well as the southern parts of Australia. Whereas, willow leaf lettuce is more commonly found only in the southern parts of Australia.

How To Identify A Wild Lettuce Plant?

A wild lettuce plant is a fast-growing herb that oozes a milky sap called Lactarium when scratched or cut. The leaves have prickles around their edges and are oblong. The younger plant has wider and shorter leaves, which grow into long and slender leaves as the plant matures. The leaves of the willow leaf lettuce are narrower and more slender than the prickly lettuce.

While the plant is available all year long, the peak season lasts from winter to early spring. The flowers of the prickly lettuce grow mainly at the stalk, whereas in willow leaf lettuce the flowers are found at the top of the plant. The flowers are small and yellowish-orange in color and are about 15 millimeters wide.

Preparation And Storage Of The Wild Lettuce

Wild lettuce is commonly sold in the US in the form of supplements. Most often, it is sold in the form of tablets. Nowadays, wild lettuce tinctures are also selling great in the market. There is no fixed rule regarding how much of this plant one should consume in a day. However, it would be safe to say that around 400-500 gms would suffice for a day.

For extracts and tinctures, the dosage depends upon the concentration of the solution. It is also consumed as dried powder-like substances by adding 1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb to boiling water. Caution should be maintained while consuming it via the powder method.

How Does The Wild Lettuce Plant Relieve Pain And Anxiety?

The milky sap of the plant contains a compound called lactarium, which has various health benefits like digestive, narcotic, and sedative properties. It is an alternative to opium and can be consumed for the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, arthritis pain, insomnia, and more.

Conclusion

The wild lettuce plant is extremely beneficial for relieving pain and inducing a sense of relaxation in the body. Consuming this plant in the form of extracts is a great method. Hawaii Pharm is the best seller of Wild Lettuce extracts, containing only natural ingredients according to precise standards.