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Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Wild Lettuce Cut & Sifted Leaf (Lactuca Virosa) – *BANEFUL NOT for internal use! HERB COMMON NAME : Wild Lettuce HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME : Lactuca Virosa OTHER NAMES : Lettuce Opium, Opium Lettuce, Prickly Lettuce, Titan’s Blood, Strong-Scented Lettuce, Acrid Lettuce FAMILY : Asteraceae Element: Water Planet: Moon, Mercury Day: Saturday Direction: West Zodiac Sign: Pisces Chakra: 1st Root Chakra (Muladhara) Energy: Yin Gender: Feminine Deity or God / Goddess Association: Morpheus, Hypnos, Hecate, Nyx, Adonis, Njorun, Caer Ibormeith, Mamu Parts Used: Leaves, Latex Description: Although wild lettuce is related to the variety of garden lettuce commonly used for sandwiches and salad, it differs considerably in appearance and other characteristics. This tooth-leaved member of the aster family looks more like a weed candidate than lunch. What the herb lacks in ornamental or culinary appeal is compensated by the milky latex found in its leaves and stems. This plant was known in the ancient world for its narcotic and sedative effects, which are similar to those of the poppy. Like the poppy, it exudes a milky latex when cut. Lactuca means “milky extract”, and virosa means “toxic”. While wild lettuce is sometimes used in tea blends or smoking mixtures, it is more commonly used topically or is tinctured, and it is sometimes sold in capsules. Wild Lettuce has been sensationalized as a substitute for morphine. Wild Lettuce herb contains no opium whatsoever, and people report mixed reviews of its effectiveness. It has none of the addictive properties of opium and is much milder. Wild Lettuce has been used for pain relief and more since antiquity. It was used as an opium substitute during the Civil War. Some effectiveness of Wild Lettuce is attributed the “placebo effect”, as if one thinks they are receiving morphine, it would enhance the anesthetic effects of the herb. Wild Lettuce has been used to help ease muscular and joint pain, including pains related to arthritis and rheumatism. Other herbal uses of Wild Lettuce to relieve asthma, to encourage a mother’s milk production, to ease insomnia, coughing, anxiety as well as many other herbal uses. This herb contains the tropane hyoscyamine, much as the nightshades do, but Lactucarium, an Eclectic preparation made from the latex harvest from this herb when it is flowering, is a sedating bitter that contains no hyoscyamine. In British herbalism, it is often combined with passionflower and hops in equal parts and made into a tea for insomnia. The Egyptians used Wild Lettuce as a natural aphrodisiac, while other civilizations used it to cool sexual libido and to suppress lusty dreams. An application of sap from Wild Lettuce to skin is said to ease pain from bee and wasp stings as well as quelling the itch of Poison Ivy rash. However, as some people may experience skin irritation from application of the sap, it is best to test on a small area of skin before widespread application. Historical Uses: hypnotic, nervous system relaxant, calm, relaxation, sedative, insomnia, sleeplessness, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, narcotic, pain reliever, analgesic, muscle pain, joint pain, arthritis, rheumatism, antispasmodic, rashes, insect bites and stings Magical Attributes: This European native magic herb was referred to as “Titan’s Blood” in ancient Greek manuscripts. This unassuming plant, similar in appearance to its relative the dandelion and just as common in some areas, has been used since ancient times as an offering to the dead and the deities of the ancestral underworld. As a dream-inducing and journeying plant, wild lettuce is safer to use than some of the more toxic plants of the nightshade family. However, wild lettuce does contain trace amounts of hyoscyamine, which is an alkaloid found in henbane. Somniferous, sleep-inducing plants like this relate to the nocturnal spirits of sleep and dreams; in Greek mythology they were Morpheus and Hypnos and were thought to be the children of either Hecate or the primordial goddess of the night, Nyx. In this aspect, wild lettuce can be used for nocturnal workings seeking to utilize the subtle powers of the night and its shape-shifting inhabitants. The chemical compounds found in the plant are used to induce trance, providing a vehicle for visionary travel and prophetic dreams. The sap would be collected as it was by Native Americans by cutting off the flower head and allowing the liquid to run out. It would then be dried and powdered before being used in smoking blends for visions and shamanic rituals. Lactuarium is not easily powdered, and it is only slightly soluble in boiling water. The leaves and root were also collected and dried to be used in these smoking blends. The chemicals in the plant material induce brain activity that is conducive to dreaming, making dreams more vivid and memorable. This plant provides an incense aid for divination, especially when working with darker deities. It is related to the workings of the dark moon and can be used for bindings sent through dreams and to cause confusion in the waking mind. For spellwork, Wild Lettuce is an anti-aphrodisiac and hypnotic. Magical Intentions: divination, offering to the dead, calling ancestors, travel to the underworld, astral projection, visions, dream magic, lucid dreaming, sleeping spells, shape-shifting, trance, prophecy, euphoria, dark magic, binding, confusion, cursing, hexing Taste & Smell: Wild Lettuce sap is extremely bitter. Wild lettuce leaf tea has a strong, bitter taste with a slightly vegetal aftertaste. Some describe it as having a nutty tobacco taste. Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting: Wild Lettuce is a very common wild herb in North America and is often considered to be a noxious weed in yards, fields, on the banks of rivers, waste places, sidewalk cracks and on roadsides. Be careful when harvesting that you don’t use Wild Lettuce where it has been sprayed with herbicides to kill it. The usually tall plant is easily identified by the dandelion like leaves that usually clasp the stem, the prickles on the mid vein of the leaves (in most species), and the milky sap that exudes from the stems, flowers and leaves. There are several species of Wild Lettuce. Some have small yellow to reddish yellow flowers and some have small blue flowers. Wild lettuce will grow to heights of a little over 3 feet. The root is tuberous, simple or branched from which is produced a weak green stem. This stem is erect, branched in the upper part, and glabrous (free from hair; smooth). The plant’s leaves are pinnate or toothed. The entire plant is rich in a milky sap that will freely flow any wounds the plant receives. The sap will dry and harden in contact with air…Wild lettuce grows in woodland gardens, woodland edges, and scrub areas in sun to part shade. It prefers a light sandy loam that is nitrogen-rich and moist. Sow seeds in spring directly into garden soil by just pressing into moist soil, and only just cover the seed and water. Germination is usually fairly quick in about 7-14 days at 70°F. Transplant seedlings to rich, moist soil and full sun, spacing 2-3ft apart. This is a biennial, which means in the first year it will make a rosette of leaves, and in the second year the flower stalk(s) will shoot up in early to mid-summer to 3-6ft and produce seeds in late summer/early fall. If you’re lucky, it will make seeds the first year, but is generally a two-year plant. It’s hardy to zone 6 (-10°F/-23°C). This plant likes rich, moist soil and reseeds so readily that it is considered a weed in many areas. Harvest the plant (gather leaves) in the summer when it is in flower (usually in July or August), preferably at full moon, and dry for later use. Store dried wild lettuce herb in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Contraindications & Toxicity: Moderate use of Wild lettuce should be safe for use by most people. Many herbs are safely used as remedies for most people, but border or cross the danger line when used in excess as intoxicants or when mixed with alcohol, medications or for persons with certain medical conditions. Wild Lettuce herb falls into this category. Wild Lettuce herb is said to depress the respiratory system in large amounts, and that poses some danger in susceptible individuals, or if one is taking other medications that would enhance its effect. Effects may vary and you may experience a toxic reaction from Wild Lettuce. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Do not use with other medications that sedate the central nervous system or the respiratory system. May cause skin irritation. If reaction occurs, immediately discontinue use. Wild Lettuce is toxic in large quantities. High amounts can produce stupor, depress breathing and overdose can cause coma/death. In large amounts, it results in toxicity; symptoms include mydriasis and photophobia, in addition to cardiovascular and respiratory difficulty. Its poisoning effects are similar to those of other plants that contain tropane-alkaloids, although larger amounts of this plant would be required. Ingesting wild lettuce may cause hallucinations, which can be harmful. Constituents: Alkaloids & sesquiterpene lactones are possibly responsible for sedative effects. Acids (mallic, citric, oxalic) Alkaloids Sesquiterpene lactones (lactucin, lactulone, lactupicrin, lactucic acid) Flavonoids (quercitin, apigenin, luteolin) Coumarins Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses. We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional. Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions. Products may cause discoloration to fabrics, woods, and other materials. Avoid contact and spilling. Products may be flammable. Do not expose to high heat or flame. Many of our products are hand made to order. Once orders are in processing, products are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and not returnable. Shipping times may be up to 3-4 weeks. ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Related
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