What Is Wild Lettuce?

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.

This article explores how wild lettuce is used, including whether there is evidence that it can prevent or treat symptoms. It also looks at the possible risks of using wild lettuce and how to choose and use this plant-based medicine safely.

Uses of Wild Lettuce

Wild lettuce can be found in central and southern Europe, Australia, the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, and along the coast of Great Britain.

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.

Despite the health claims, there is little evidence that wild lettuce can prevent or treat any medical condition. Most research is limited to small, low-quality studies or studies in animals only.

Pain

Little research has been conducted to support the use of wild lettuce for pain symptoms.

In one study, researchers gave lab mice either lactucin, lactucopicrin, or ibuprofen (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) in oral form. The mice were then submitted to a hot-plate test and a flick-tail test (in which their tails were flicked) to assess their response to pain.

Of the compounds tested, lactucopicrin was the most potent and required half the dose compared to ibuprofen. Lactucin and lactucopicrin also appeared to have a sedating effect, as evidenced by slowing the animals' reflexes. Further study in humans would be needed to confirm these results.

Effects on Nerves

Wild lettuce appears to be a robust acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that stops certain types of nerve activity. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition prolongs nerve activity.

Additionally, a study found that lactucopicrin increased neuritogenesis in brain cells extracted from lab rats. Neuritogenesis is when nerve cells sprout projections, called neurites, that connect one nerve cell to another. The more neurites there are, the stronger the sending of nerve signals.

Further human research is needed to see whether wild lettuce has practical application in neurodegenerative diseases (diseases impacting the brain and nerves).

What Are the Side Effects of Wild Lettuce

The long-term safety of wild lettuce is unknown. Wild lettuce is generally considered safe if consumed in reasonable amounts, although it may cause mild indigestion, jitteriness, or drowsiness.

Some people may experience skin irritation if wild lettuce is applied to the skin. This is especially true for people with a latex allergy. Avoid use in people allergic to wild lettuce or its components.

A study detailed eight incidences of poisoning after consuming large quantities of raw wild lettuce.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects include but aren't limited to:

• Chills or sweating
• Stomach pain
• Back and neck pain
• Headaches and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
  

Severe Side Effects

These side effects can occur at any time while taking wild lettuce. If you experience these symptoms, stop using wild lettuce and seek immediate medical attention for the following:

• Loss of consciousness
• Blurred vision and/or extreme sensitivity to light
• Sweating
• Hallucinations
• Urinary retention
• Heart complications
  

If you're having a severe allergic reaction or if any of your symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911 and get medical help right away.

Precautions

Due to potential harm, wild lettuce should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding people or children. There is also evidence that wild lettuce can aggravate narrow-angle glaucoma, which is influenced by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

You should also avoid wild lettuce if you take sedatives or any sedating drug, including alcohol, opioids, or antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

Dosage: How Much Wild Lettuce Should I Take?

There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of wild lettuce, but manufacturers of capsule formulations typically recommend 400 to 500 milligrams (mg) per day. As a general rule, never exceed the dose on the product label.

Taking 12–24 drops two or three times daily has been suggested for tincture preparations.

What Happens If I Take Too Much Wild Lettuce?

Due to the potential harm, wild lettuce should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding people or by children. 

There is also evidence that wild lettuce can aggravate narrow-angle glaucoma, which is influenced by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Wild lettuce should also not be taken by pets or people who are immunocompromised.

Toxicity from wild lettuce supplementation is possible. Toxicity occurs when the active ingredient in a supplement builds up in the body over time, causing negative health effects.

 It is not yet understood if an overdose of wild lettuce is possible.

Interactions

You should avoid wild lettuce if you are taking sedatives or any sedating substance, including alcohol, opioids, or antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or other sedating herbs or supplements.

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to learn which ingredients are in the product and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

How to Store Wild Lettuce

Wild lettuce usually is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement, most often in capsule form but also as tinctures, extracts, powders, and dried herbs.

Dosages of tinctures and extract vary based on the concentration of the solution.

Caution should be used when working with dried Lactuca virosa as you might not be able to control the dose and may consume more than you realize. Moreover, there is no way to know if the dried herbs have been tainted with pesticides, heavy metals, chemical fertilizers, or other harmful substances.

Similar Supplements

Similar supplements include but are not limited to the following:

• White willow bark
• Devil’s claw
• Cannabidioil (CBD) oil
• Valerian
• Kava kava

White willow bark is thought to soothe the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, while devil's claw is used to reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Others use cannabidiol, also known as CBD oil, the non-psychoactive compound in marijuana. 

Check with your healthcare provider before using any supplement or herb to treat pain.

Sources of Wild Lettuce & What to Look For

Wild lettuce plants can reach 3 to 8 feet in height. It has green leaves and pale yellow flowers. The seeds are attached to a pappus that resembles the puffy white "fluff" of a dandelion. It is not recommended to procure wild lettuce on your own.

Wild lettuce can be found online and in stores that sell supplements. It is sold in capsule form, dried herbs, liquid extracts, and powders. To ensure purity, opt for brands certified by third-party organizations like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.

Food Sources of Wild Lettuce

Due to the risk of toxicity, raw wild lettuce should not be consumed. Even though the plant is uncommon in the United States, it reportedly has been introduced in parts of California and Alabama.

Wild Lettuce Supplements

Wild lettuce can be found online and in stores that sell supplements. It is sold in capsule form, dried herbs, liquid extracts, and powders. To ensure purity, opt for brands certified by third-party organizations like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.

Dried herbal and powdered formulations can be used to make tea by steeping one to two tablespoons of the dried herb or one to two teaspoons of the powder into a cup of boiling water.

Caution should be used when working with dried Lactuca virosa as you might not be able to control the dose and may consume more than you realize. Moreover, there is no way to know if the dried herbs have been tainted with pesticides, heavy metals, chemical fertilizers, or other harmful substances.

Summary

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) is a plant used to relieve pain and prevent or treat symptoms of various unrelated medical conditions, including anxiety, arthritis, insomnia, cough, and menstrual pain.

Little evidence exists that wild lettuce can prevent or treat any medical condition. Before using it, please speak with your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns.

Wild lettuce is generally considered safe but may cause reactions in people with a latex allergy. It may build up in the body over time, causing negative health effects. When used in excess, wild lettuce can lead to toxicity and poisoning.

In the short term, wild lettuce can also cause drowsiness and should not be used with alcohol or sedatives. 

There is no clinically recommended dose for wild lettuce. To ensure purity, opt for brands certified by third-party organizations like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.