5 Side Effects of Wild Lettuce

Wild lettuce relates to traditional lettuce and is one of the several varieties of certain species of the Lactuca genus. Wild lettuce leaves are consumed as a vegetable salad and possess mild analgesic properties. Before the advancement of medical science, it was common for physicians to use wild lettuce leaves as an effective painkiller( Thanks to compounds like lactucopicrin and lactucin in wild lettuce), and as an opium alternative.

Wild lettuce is known by some other names such as opium lettuce, great lettuce, butter lettuce, and tall lettuce. Being a biennial plant, it completes its biological cycle in two years. Wild lettuce was originated in Europe and Asia, but later got introduced to America and other regions of the world.

At present, wild lettuce grows extensively in coastal regions of Great Britain, Central and Southern Asia, some regions of south-east and east of England, wild regions of Australia, and in regions of Punjab in India and Pakistan. Being an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers, etc, wild lettuce provides many health and beauty benefits.

# Wild Lettuce And Skin Irritation

The milky latex of the wild lettuce provides many benefits. However, people who are sensitive to this milk latex should avoid applying it on the skin as it may develop skin irritation and skin rashes, etc.

# Eating Wild Lettuce During Pregnancy And Nursing

Both pregnancy and the nursing period play an important role in a woman’s life as what she consumes determines not only her health but also the health and wellness of the fetus and the infant.

Potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins in wild lettuce helps in maintaining healthy pregnancy as they regulate blood pressure, relax our nerves, and improve cognitive functions.However, wild lettuce is a mild sedative and contains many active chemical compounds.The effect of these chemical compounds during pregnancy and nursing periods is not well documented.

# May Cause Allergies

Avoid wild lettuce if you are allergic to them as they may cause problems like excessive sweating, fast heartbeat, pupil dilation, ringing in the ear, sedation, and breathing difficulties.

If you are allergic to Compositae family plants such as ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, and marigold, etc, you are likely to be allergic to wild lettuce.

# Eating Wild Lettuce During Surgery

Avoid wild lettuce two weeks before and after surgery as the sedative properties of wild lettuce may interfere with the anesthesia and other sedative medicines used during surgery.

# May Worsen Prostatic Hyperplasia And Narrow-Angle Glaucoma

Avoid Wild lettuce if you suffer from prostatic hyperplasia and narrow-angle glaucoma as wild lettuce may interfere with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and worsen these conditions.