Breaking the opiod chain
Did you know that there’s a type of lettuce that was long considered a safer alternative to opium? In the 19th century, people widely used wild lettuce or “opium lettuce” for pain relief. But is it really safe and effective?
If the answer isn’t yes then lets get into what helped me break a decade long dependence of opioids for my primary pain relief. The VA in it’s infinite wisdom has in recent times acknowledged its role in adding to the opioid epidemic and its grip on the veterans in their care. While I do believe that medical science when not aimed at profit can benefit our species, I also strongly believe that regardless of what our brilliant minds can create it still will not replace what 4 billion years of evolution has pretty much perfected.
Wild lettuce, like cannabis, grows wild in many parts of world, including parts of Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. It was widely used in the U.S. in the 19th century as an opium substitute. Wild lettuce contains two active compounds, lactucopicrin and lactucin, which bind to opioid receptors and produce pain relief. These compounds are used by drug manufacturers to produce medications to treat asthma, urinary tract disorders, painful menstruation and joint pain.
Wild Lettuce is Safe and Effective for Most with Pain and Anxiety
Wild lettuce has been reported to provide relief from migraine and tension headaches, menstrual cramps and joint and muscle pain. Wild lettuce also has sedative and anti-anxiety effects. Wild lettuce appears to be safe for most people in small amounts. Wild lettuce may cause an allergic reaction in people who have allergies to ragweed and related plants. If you have narrow angle glaucoma, it is advised to avoid wild lettuce because it contains a chemical that could worsen this condition.
The Bottom Line
The poppy plant and its pharmaceutical derivatives do not have a monopoly on pain relief, despite marketing efforts to convince us otherwise. Other plants are safer and have equal or better pain relief effects. I have been spending the last 3 years cultivating a sustainable crop of wild lettuce as to not depend on foraging to be able to provide this valuable plant and the many things that can be made from it to the public. I invite you to follow my YouTube, Tiktok, or FB pages to learn how you can identify and also utilize wild lettuce for yourself.
