Wild Lettuce ,Lactuca Virosa
Wild lettuce , looks likes dandelion leaves but no flower
Lactuca Virosa has very similar properties to opium, but does not contain any opiates , and so is safe to consume in controlled doses. An extract from the stem is prepared in such a way , very similar to opium, and this produces lactucarium.When taken this gives a mild euphoria, and last last a few hours. This is open to abuse by many , but its main medicinal purpose is to aid sleep.In the past it has been used as anasthesia.
It has a bitter flavoring, and is best used as a tea with lemon or with sugar.It is a powerful sleep aid and is best mixed with valeria root, and hops.;This combination make a strong sleep promoting dose , and is often used in over the counter natural sleep remedies , even available from the supermarket.Some people have been known to even smoke the dried leaves.The liquid from the stem is the most potent part of the plant and is geneally too strong to be used as a sleep aid , but it can be put into hot water and frozen into cubes , and this can be used as a ready made tea , just drop a cube into a hot cup of water before bed.This will keep potentcy for weeks .
As usual , the plant has flavanoids, an antioxidant ( such as those in normal tea) as well as coumarins, and n methyl beta phenethylamine.
Side effects include distorted vision, loss of balance , and in lactating women an increse , substantial, in milk production (galactagogue).
In identification they plant is similar looking to the crepis japonica but is different in many ways including the thickness of the leaves , and the texture of the leaves .In the taste , the bitterness is the giveaway.
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