Throughout history, medicinal herbs were the only thing available when someone was injured or sick. The emergence of modern medicine made humanity forget about how powerful nature is. For example, wild lettuce (Lactusa virosa) is a plant that grows in England and North America and has been used as a natural painkiller that works just as good as painkillers.
What is wild lettuce?
Wild lettuce is a biennial plant that can be found throughout England. It grows very tall (up to 7 feet), and has a pretty yellow flower and mature leaves. The plant has been used as a sedative and analgesic in the past, and possesses numerous health benefits. Here are some of them:
A natural sedative
Wild lettuce is often used to fight insomnia and to relax anxiety or spasms. The herb can calm down the nervous system and relax your muscles, while also fighting stress-induced indigestion, coughs and respiratory problems, restlessness and insomnia.
Treats cramps and spasms
Adding wild lettuce in your daily diet by eating it raw or drinking it as a tea can easily treat spasms or cramps.
Reduces pain
Wild lettuce has shown that it can reduce muscle aches, menstrual cramps and other types of pain. Thanks to these benefits, it is commonly known as the opium lettuce since it has a similar effect like opiates without the addiction.
How to consume wild lettuce
In order to benefit from the plant properly, it must be harvested in July or August when. Dried versions and supplements are also available, but we suggest consuming the plant in the form of tea from fresh leaves.