Wild Lettuce Herb Extract
Also known as: Wild lettuce, opium lettuce, bitter lettuce, Lactuca virosa
Overview
Wild lettuce (*Lactuca virosa*) is a plant historically used for its purported analgesic (pain-relieving), sedative, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties. It contains a milky latex called lactucarium, which includes compounds such as lactucin, lactucopicrin, and other sesquiterpene lactones. These compounds are believed to mediate its pharmacological effects. Wild lettuce is found naturally in Europe and parts of Asia and has been used traditionally as a mild alternative to opium for pain relief and sedation. Despite historical use, modern clinical research on wild lettuce is very limited, with few human studies and mostly animal or in vitro data available. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses specifically on wild lettuce are lacking, indicating an early stage of research maturity and low quality of direct clinical evidence. It is available in various forms, including powdered supplements, liquid extracts, teas, and topical lotions, though dosing is not standardized.
Benefits
The primary effects of wild lettuce, observed mainly in animal models, include analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Animal studies have shown that lactucin and lactucopicrin, key compounds in wild lettuce, can produce analgesic effects comparable to ibuprofen (30 mg/kg) at doses of 15-30 mg/kg in mice hot plate tests. These compounds also demonstrated sedative effects in animal models. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro studies combining wild lettuce with other plant extracts have shown a significant reduction in induced inflammation in mice. While some research on *Lactuca sativa* (green lettuce) suggests potential antioxidant effects by increasing antioxidant enzymes, the relevance of these findings to *Lactuca virosa* and humans is unclear. There are no robust human clinical trials with adequate sample sizes or controls to confirm these benefits in any specific population, and quantitative effect sizes are only available from animal studies. Therefore, the clinical significance and efficacy in humans remain unestablished.
How it works
Wild lettuce's active compounds, primarily lactucin and lactucopicrin, are sesquiterpene lactones that are believed to interact with the central nervous system to produce their observed analgesic and sedative effects. These compounds may modulate pain perception pathways, potentially through mechanisms similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, possibly by inhibiting inflammatory mediators or exerting direct effects on the central nervous system. While some research on green lettuce suggests potential oxidative stress reduction through the modulation of antioxidant enzyme expression, the direct relevance of this mechanism to wild lettuce and its effects in humans is not well understood. The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of these compounds in humans are currently not well characterized.
Side effects
The overall safety data for wild lettuce in humans are extremely sparse due to a significant lack of clinical trials. Case reports of toxicity exist, including instances of prolonged loss of consciousness requiring intensive care and supportive treatment such as gastric lavage and charcoal. Common side effects are not well documented, but potential risks include gastrointestinal irritation or worsening digestion. There are no well-documented drug interactions or contraindications due to insufficient research. Safety data for special populations, such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals and children, are completely lacking, making its use in these groups highly unadvisable. Given the limited human safety data and reported toxicity cases, caution is strongly advised when considering the use of wild lettuce.
Dosage
There are no established minimum effective or optimal doses for wild lettuce in humans due to the significant lack of clinical trials. Animal studies have utilized doses of 15-30 mg/kg of isolated compounds (lactucin, lactucopicrin) to achieve analgesic effects. However, these findings cannot be directly translated to human dosing. Wild lettuce is available in various forms, including powdered supplements, liquid extracts, teas, and topical lotions, but the dosing for these products varies widely and is not standardized. There is no scientific consensus on appropriate timing for administration, and factors influencing absorption are not well studied. Without human clinical data, specific dosage recommendations, upper limits, or safety thresholds cannot be provided, making it difficult to determine a safe and effective dose.
FAQs
Does wild lettuce work for pain relief?
Animal studies suggest potential analgesic effects comparable to ibuprofen, but robust human evidence is lacking. Its efficacy for pain relief in humans is not scientifically established.
Is wild lettuce safe to use?
Safety in humans is not well established due to limited research. Cases of toxicity, including prolonged loss of consciousness, have been reported, indicating potential risks.
Is wild lettuce addictive like opium?
Wild lettuce is considered a mild alternative to opium with fewer side effects. There is no scientific evidence to suggest it causes opioid-like addiction.
How quickly does wild lettuce work?
The onset of effects in humans is unknown due to a lack of clinical studies. Animal studies show acute effects, but this cannot be directly applied to human response times.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8234172/ – This animal study investigated the analgesic and sedative effects of lactucin, lactucopicrin, and 11β,13-dihydrolactucin in mice. It found that lactucin and lactucopicrin produced analgesic effects comparable to ibuprofen at 15-30 mg/kg doses, with lactucopicrin being the most potent. Sedative effects were also observed for lactucin and lactucopicrin, supporting the traditional uses of wild lettuce.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3031874/ – This study, which included in vivo and in vitro components, examined the anti-inflammatory effects of a combination of wild lettuce and *Euphorbia hirta* extracts. It demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in mice models of induced inflammation, such as those involving albumin, histamine, and xylene ear edema, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for inflammatory conditions.
- https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/wild-lettuce/ – This source provides a general overview of wild lettuce, including its traditional uses, active compounds, and some reported effects. It highlights the historical use of the herb as an analgesic and sedative, aligning with findings from animal studies on its active constituents.
- http://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-wild-lettuce – This article from WebMD discusses what wild lettuce is, its traditional uses, and provides some cautionary information regarding its safety. It mentions the lack of scientific evidence for its efficacy and highlights the need for more research.
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/wild-lettuce – Healthline's article on wild lettuce covers its potential benefits, side effects, and dosage. It emphasizes that while some animal studies show promise for pain relief and sedation, human research is very limited, and safety concerns exist due to reported toxicity.