Guest guest Posted August 10, 2004 Report Share Posted August 10, 2004 Suzanne wrote: >http://www.herbalremedies.com/wildlettuce.html > >http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_wild_lettuce.htm > > " oldglory@... " <oldglory@...> wrote: >Hi, > >I found some seeds of Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa), and wonder if this is >an edible lettuce? > > > > I saw one sources said it's edible in salads. I'd go easy on it for obvious reasons. Some source calls it poison lettuce. Overview: Often used as a substitute for opium, Lactuca virosa does not match the power of opium nor does it upset the stomach like opium does. Commonly used as a mild sedative or hypnotic for insomnia and relaxation, it is also used for coughing, nervousness and pain relief associated with women's ailments. The greens are sometimes used in salads. Many experimenters find this herb has some psychoactive properties. It is a common ingredient found in many herbal alternative smoking blends. (source: http://healthyherbs.about.com) All lettuces possess some of this narcotie juice, /Lactuca virosa/ having the most, and the others in the following order: /L. scariola/, or Prickly Lettuce, /L. altissima/, /L. Canadensis/, or Wild Lettuce of America, and /L. sativa/, or Garden Lettuce. Cultivation has lessened the narcotic properties of the last, but it is still used for making a lotion for the skin useful in sunburn and roughness. The Ancients held the lettuce in high esteem for its cooling and refreshing properties. The Emperor Augustus attributed his recovery from a dangerous illness to it; built an altar to it, and erected a statue in its honour. (source: http://www.botanical.com) The milky juice (Lactuca=milky juice and virosa=unpleasant taste) is the substance used for the opiate like effect. The leaves being used in salads " should " be similar to everyday lettuce, in my opinion. It's not listed in the one book I have " The Wild Food Trailguide " by Alan Hall, which I concider an excellent book though I suspect it is incomplete and lists only the most widely available wild edibles. I belong to a wild foraging group, I'll ask and see what others say about this. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peace!! - Herbs, Oils & More: http://www.greenladysgarden.com Wholesale Web Hosting: http://www.accessiblehosting.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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