Lactuca virosa

Lactuca virosa is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus, ingested often for its mild psychotropic (specifically hypnotic or sedative) effects which are often described as being similar to that of opium. It is related to common lettuce (L. sativa), and is often called Wild Lettuce, Bitter lettuce, Laitue vireuse, Opium Lettuce, Poisonous Lettuce, or Rakutu-Karyumu-So.
It can be found locally in the south east and east of England. In the rest of Great Britain it is very rare, and in Ireland it is absent.
==Description==
Lactuca virosa is a biannual, similar to Prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola but taller - it can grow to 200cm. It is also stouter, the stem and leaves are more purple flushed, the leaves are less divided, but more spreading.
The achene is purple black, without bristles at the tip. The pappus is the same as Lactuca serriola.
It flowers from July until September.
==History==
Lactuca virosa was used in the 19th century by physicians when opium could not be obtained. It was studied extensively by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1911.http://www.wildlettuce.com/ "What is Wild Lettuce?" They discovered two chemicals responsible for the properties of L. virosa; lactucopicrin and lactucin. In the United States, the plant experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1970s. Today the plant is un-scheduled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning it is legal to grow, purchase and own without prescription or license.
==Medicinal uses==
The effects of ingesting L. virosa are similar to opium, although no opiates are present in the plant. A latex however exists as an extract of the stem secretion of Lactuca virosa, a simple preparation in a manner resembling opium, which is called lactucarium. Effects are felt quickly but do not last long, between half an hour to a couple of hours. They dwindle slowly. The plant has been used as an anesthetic and a sleep aid, as well as recreationally. Oils and extracts can also be produced from L. virosa. These oils and extracts are often added to tea to help induce sleep. While its use as a galactagogue (a substance that increases breast milk) has been reported, this is probably a misapplication from homeopathy; in any case, the sedative effects on the baby would strongly argue against its use for this purpose. Many add the greens to salads, though the leaves of L. virosa are more bitter than other salad greens. Smoking involves either dried leaves or a sticky precipitate extracted from the leaves. Beverages can be prepared by soaking the leaves in alcohol.
The plant contains flavonoids, which have strong anti-oxidant properties. L. virosa has also been found to contain coumarins, and N-methyl-β-phenethylamine.Holistic Online herb information: Wild Lettuce
==References==
===General references===
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==External links==
*Erowid
*Wild lettuce
*Wild lettuce Herbal Information
*USDA Plants Profile: Lactuca virosa
Category:Entheogens