Wild lettuce is more than just lettuce grown in the wild; it a specific species of plant (Lactuca virosa) used frequently in herbal medicine. Wild lettuce is closely related to dandelion, albeit with stouter leaves, and can be found in central and southern Europe, Australia, the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, and along the coast of Great Britain.
Wild lettuce is believed to have sedative and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects and is often used as a natural remedy for stress and chronic pain.
Wild lettuce contains two compounds, known at lactucin and lactucopicrin, that act on the central nervous system. Wild lettuce has the highest concentration of lactucopicrin of all plants, although dandelion root and chicory root are also good sources.
In addition to its sedative and analgesic effects, lactucopicrin is believed to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, meaning that it blocks cholinesterase enzymes that slow communications between brain cells. Wild lettuce is also said to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity.
The amazing benefits and medicinal properties provided by the wild lettuce is mainly because of the various active ingredients like lactucarium, lactucopicrin, caoutchouc, mannitol, lactucin, fiber and caoutchouc, mannitol, lactucin, fiber, coumarins in it. It is also rich in other essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and magnesium in it.
Wild lettuce is very beneficial for our lungs and improves the overall health of the respiratory system. This benefit of wild lettuce is mainly because of its antitussive properties that provide relief from the irritation in the lungs and the bronchial tubes and thus helps in treating whooping cough and asthma.
Wild lettuce leaves can also be eaten as a salad to improve the respiratory health of the system and for combating against the various symptoms of bronchial asthma and allergy. If you suffer from the respiratory problem then you can use wild lettuce for the relief but it recommended to first consult with your doctor about the same.
In addition to this, wild lettuce is also a good source of vitamin C which is an antioxidant that protects our respiratory system from the oxidative damage caused by the free radicals in the body. It also contains vitamin A that reduces inflammation of the lungs and helps with bronchial asthma.
A migraine is a state of constant( almost) and recurring headache that usually affects the half region of the head, and is very troublesome. A headache itself is very painful and when it reoccurs again and again then it becomes even a bigger problem. As per Mentalfloss, it is the third most common disease in the world and affects women more than men.
Wild lettuce is found to be very effective for providing relief from a headache and migraine. This advantage of wild lettuce is mainly because of its sedative properties.
To get relief from a migraine, enjoy a cup of freshly brewed wild lettuce tea before bedtime and enjoy a peaceful sleep free of a headache.
In addition to this, wild lettuce also contains magnesium and vitamin B complex that also plays a significant role in treating migraine.
Wild lettuce is a wonderful painkiller and its early use was also because of its pain relieving properties. The pain-relieving benefits of wild lettuce are mainly because of the active chemical compounds like lactucopicrin and lactucin in it. Its effect is similar to that of morphine and it soothes our nervous system in a short time. Wild lettuce is very beneficial for joint pain, colic, arthritis, muscle pain, and uterine cramps.
Post time: Jul-31-2020