Wild Opium Lettuce

Often used as a substitute for opium, Lactuca virosa does not match the power of opium nor does it upset the stomach like opium does. Commonly used as a mild sedative or hypnotic for insomnia and relaxation, it is also used for coughing, nervousness and pain relief associated with women's ailments. The greens are sometimes used in salads.

Its use dates back as far as opium's use in the 16th century. The Native Americans used Lactuca Virosa as a mild relaxant and pain reliever. Though not as powerful as Opium, the whole plant is rich in a milky juice which contains opiate-like alkaloids.

It is related to common lettuce (L. sativa), and is often called Wild Lettuce, Bitter lettuce, Laitue vireuse, Opium 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.