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Wild lettuce tincture is one of those non-negotiable things I need to have on hand at all times.  The benefits of this yard weed are amazing, especially with the acute pain relief it provides.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to find wild lettuce, wild lettuce identification, how to harvest wild lettuce, and how I make a tincture and dose it.  

I’ll start by saying none of this is medical advice, and I’m annoyed I constantly have to say that.  I am simply sharing what I do on my own farm and how I use an herbal remedy.  This can help people interested in getting started to learn to use the plant and dive into herbal medicine with your own research.

What is wild lettuce?

First and foremost, when I say wild lettuce, many folks think I’m talking about the “devil’s lettuce” and I’m not.  Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa, Lactuca serriola) is a plant that contains a sap that contains lactones that hit the same pain receptors opioids do without the addiction.  

The stems contain a white sap that provides mild acute pain analgesia and sedative effects that can help ease the pain of an injury and help one rest.  That sap is called “lactucarium.”

Where Do I Find Wild Lettuce?

Here in Ohio specifically, it grows everywhere and is very common.  I have some huge plants that grow near trees that are the smooth variety, the prickly ones I don’t see as often.  Find them in full sun, part sun, some shade, whatever, these plants grow readily in yards all over!  They’re tall and super easy to identify, which we’ll get into soon.

There are TONS of varieties of wild lettuce and, thankfully, there are not poisonous look-alikes.  So forage without fear.  

Aside from the sap treating acute pain and anxiety, the leaves are edible as LETTUCE.  WHAT?!  lol

How to Identify Wild Lettuce

To me, its easily identified by its leaves.  Once look at the serrated leaves with irregular serrations and the midrib underneath is rather hairy.  Some of the leaves of the Lactuca varieties are prickly and some aren’t, both are fine for medicinal purposes but I don’t think I’d want a big fat salad of the prickles.

Stems are very thick and woody and range from green to purplish depending on the time of year and I’m sure variety.  

To be 100% certain, break off a leaf and look for the white sap.  That is the biggest telltale sign of wild lettuce if you’re unsure with leaf identification.

Here’s a really good blog post by the forager chef on identifying and foraging wild lettuce as well.

The biggest confused plant with wild lettuce is dandelions, but the main difference in the leaf serrations is that I find dandelions to be pretty orderly and wild lettuce seems a little…. more wild.  That and the dandelion leaves all stay on the ground whereas wild lettuce grows pretty dang tall.  They both get yellow flowers too, but look quite different.

Harvesting Wild Lettuce

To harvest wild lettuce, start by foraging for in in May or early June (for Ohio) before the plant is big and trying to flower.  This assures the resin/sap is “strongest” as the plant has yet to put energy into flower and seed production.

Harvest leaves and stems by cutting off the top part of the plant, as much as you need.  The plant recovers readily, especially if you leave some at the bottom.  (Again, it’s a weed… it’ll be FINE).

You can tincture the leaves and stems chopped and fresh, which is my preference, and instructions will be given in the printable recipe card.  

If you miss the plant prior to it going to seed, allow it to die back and then dig the roots for similar medicinal effect, but for me, spring stems and leaves are preferable.

Uses for Wild Lettuce

Edible greens (slightly bitter)

Dehydrate for oil infused salve for topical pain relief

Dehydrated for tea

Tincture

Now that we know what wild lettuce is, let’s craft a tincture and learn how to use it!

Equipment You Might Want

Glass Jar & Lid

Scissors

Ingredients

Fresh wild lettuce leaves & stems

High proof alcohol (>50% alcohol content, 100 proof or greater)

Step 1:  Harvest and Prep

Start by harvesting wild lettuce in early morning before the hot sun has hit the leaves.  Cut off the plant and take as much as you need.

Bring it inside and wash well.

Chop or cut the steam and leaves into pieces and add them to a jar, filling the jar up, not worrying about packing it overly tightly.

Over the chopped wild lettuce, add high proof alcohol until all the leaves and stems are covered.  Add a lid and secure it and set the jar in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight, like a cabinet.

Allow to sit at least 8 weeks, but longer is ok.

Step 2:  Strain

After infusion time is complete, strain the tincture into a strainer lined with cheesecloth.  Be sure and squeeze the cheesecloth with the wild lettuce to get every last drop of liquid out.  

Step 3:  Storage

Add the tincture to a dropper bottle and store in a dark place for 1-2 years for best potency.

To use:

Add 1-2 drops to water and take the first time you use it.  Since these are wildcrafted, it is hard to give a definitive dose, so it does take some trial and error.  Increase your dose until desired effects are met.

Use for acute pain (not great for chronic pain) and for rest.  Great for broken bones, injuries, bad bruises, and times when rest is needed for healing.

How to Make a Wild Lettuce Tincture

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Infusion Time: 56 days days

Total Time: 56 days days 5 minutes minutes

Author: Ruby – Red Feather Farm

Equipment

• Glass Jar & Lid
• Scissors

Ingredients

• Fresh wild lettuce leaves & stems
• High proof alcohol >50% alcohol content, 100 proof or greater

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Step 1:  Harvest and Prep

• Start by harvesting wild lettuce in early morning before the hot sun has hit the leaves.  Cut off the plant and take as much as you need.
• Bring it inside and wash well.
• Chop or cut the steam and leaves into pieces and add them to a jar, filling the jar up, not worrying about packing it overly tightly.
• Over the chopped wild lettuce, add high proof alcohol until all the leaves and stems are covered.  Add a lid and secure it and set the jar in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight, like a cabinet.
• Allow to sit at least 8 weeks, but longer is ok.

Step 2:  Strain

• After infusion time is complete, strain the tincture into a strainer lined with cheesecloth.  Be sure and squeeze the cheesecloth with the wild lettuce to get every last drop of liquid out.

Step 3:  Storage

• Add the tincture to a dropper bottle and store in a dark place for 1-2 years for best potency.

To use:

• Add 1-2 drops to water and take the first time you use it.  Since these are wildcrafted, it is hard to give a definitive dose, so it does take some trial and error.  Increase your dose until desired effects are met.
• Use for acute pain (not great for chronic pain) and for rest.  Great for broken bones, injuries, bad bruises, and times when rest is needed for healing.

Leaf through all our herbal recipes here.