Wild Lettuce (Lactuca Virosa)

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) is a plant found in parts of the United Kingdom, South Asia, and North America. It’s part of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family and is closely related to dandelion. It’s been studied for sedative and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects and for managing stress and chronic pain. Wild lettuce contains two main compounds—lactucin and lactucopicrin—that act on the central nervous system. Wild lettuce has the highest concentration of lactucopicrin of all plants, although dandelion and chicory roots are also sources. In addition to its sedative and analgesic effects, lactucopicrin is believed to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; this means that it blocks cholinesterase enzymes responsible for slowing communication between nerve cells. Wild lettuce is also said to kill many bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. It is promoted as a natural treatment for a variety of conditions aside from pain, such as: anxiety. respiratory conditions. ca