Grow Zones: 5,6,7,8,9

Found naturally near the sea or roadsides, Wild Lettuce is a highly medicinal herb plant. The leaves are edible however they are not pleasing to the palate. The taste is bitter. The value in the lettuce is in the medicinal properties. When knicked, Lactuca virosa stems drip out a milky sap that contains a medicine called lactucarium.

Lactucarium touts the following medicinal properties: analgesic, putative, anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative. Lactucarium is unique in that it has the effects of opium but is not in fact opium at all. As such, many claim it useful for calming nerves and numbing pain; without the unwanted side effects of addiction (it's non-habit forming) and digestion issues (it stimulates digestion instead of slowing it down). The nerve calming effects of wild lettuce can also be accredited to another medicine in the plant, called hyoscyamine.

Due to the effects of the two medicines in the sap, Natro doctors and homeopathic specialists turn to Lactuca Virosa for ailments that call for a nervous system depressant such as restlessness, coughing fits, engorged liver and urinary tract issues.

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Germination Procedure: Seeds germinate in 60-70 temperatures. Gently press seeds over the top of the soil as they need both moisture from the soil and sunlight hitting them to germinate. Keep seeds and soil moist throughout germination phase (10-20 days). Pro tip: Take care not to drown the seeds into darkness when watering. This is best accomplished with using a mister instead of a heavy water pouring vessel. Control temperatures by starting them indoors with the A/C on 65 degrees while at the same time setting the starter tray or pot by a sunlit window.