Happy little moment after a lonnngg drive for work this AM but at the delivery site I got a chance to do a little #foraging.
Found some #WildLettuce a great #MedicinalPlant for pain relief and sedation. This variety had a purple flower which I am so far unfamiliar with so I’ll do some researching on that soon!
The majority of the #medicinal compounds are found in the sticky, milky sap, a type of natural latex I believe (so CAUTION IF YOU HAVE A LATEX ALLERGY or one to the MARIGOLD FAMILY)
Another name due to its effects and alkaloid compounds which interact on our body’s #opioid receptors is #Opium Lettuce but.. I assure you, like all plants in the lettuce family, it is a VERY MILD opioid ( more potent alkaloid levels have been bred out of our common garden lettuces, but they still have them) wild lettuce is a bit weaker even than the popular tea esque #Kratom tree which still is a very mild opiod (which typically takes several grams to equal even the weak prescription opioid pills, but interestingly in spite of some states banning it and an effort on the #Federal level to do the same, remains a vital medicine for individuals seeking to get off prescription pain pills and street #drugs like #heroin and #fentanyl , many attributing it to saving their lives).
Wild Lettuce has been used as a #FolkMedicine for a long, long time, both by North American #Indians and #AmericanSettlers alike and still used today, I’ve even found it for sale in a #medicine shop near me.
The stems and leaves are often smoked when dried but arguably the most effective way to prepare it is to extract the sap via water soaking and once the #plant material is filtered to a tar like substance which can then be used as is, smoked, or made into a #tincture.
Many people use it for things like #arthritis , #anxiety , and #insomnia . While some folks in #Appalachia continue to use it as a social #smoking #herb much like #tobacco.
Anyway, in conclusion, take a little but of time to enjoy and learn about the #beauty and benefits of creation around you, we live in a #beautiful #world!
What NaturalRemedies do you use or are interested in? Let me know below! 👇🏼