Lactuca serriola Wild lettuce (Compositae)

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Lactuca serriola
Wild lettuce
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The Lactuca serriola plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Wild lettuce. Some home gardeners know the variety as L. scariola.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Lactuca serriola
Common Name:  Wild lettuce
Family:  Compositae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The mature plant is mildly toxic[13].

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:  0.3

Habitat:  Waste places, walls, occasionally on more or less stable dunes[17].

Medicinal Information: The whole plant is rich in a milky sap that flows freely from any wounds. This hardens and dries when in contact with the air[4]. The sap contains 'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative properties[9, 21, 46, 165, 192, 213, 238]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[4], nor is it addictive[7]. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etc[238]. Concentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[238]. It is collected commercially by cutting the heads of the plants and scraping the juice into china vessels several times a day until the plant is exhausted[4]. This species does not contain as much lactucarium as L. virosa[4]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowering plant can also be used[9]. The plant should be used with caution, and never without the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Even normal doses can cause drowsiness whilst excess causes restlessness[238] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[7, 9]. The fixed oil from the seeds is said to possess antipyretic and hypnotic properties[240]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of chronic catarrh, coughs, swollen liver, flatulence and ailments of the urinary tract[9].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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