Wild lettuce - alkaloid extract

Wild Lettuce, TPA alkaloid extract

Lactuca virosa is a biennial plant from the same family as common lettuce, growing up to 2 metres tall in the wild. The species name "virosa" is Latin for poisonous and refers to the milky sap released when the stem is damaged. That sap is historically known as lactucarium or "lettuce opium": it was listed in 18th and 19th century European and American herbals and pharmacies, partly because Emperor Augustus is said to have credited his recovery from illness to the plant. Its main active compounds are lactucopicrin and lactucin; due to their properties they are sometimes compared to opiates, although the mechanism differs substantially.

This extract is produced with the TPA method (Total Purified Alkaloids): the active compounds are isolated from the plant material through several extraction and purification steps and then dissolved in an ethanol and water base. The result is a clear liquid extract without plant residue, wax or chlorophyll, more concentrated than the dried herb.

Dosage

Start with 5 to 10 drops (about 0.25-0.5 ml) per use and assess your response before increasing the dose.

Use

The extract can be taken sublingually (drops under the tongue) or diluted in a small amount of water; the taste is sharp due to the ethanol content, so diluting makes it more pleasant. Avoid use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Storage

Store the extract cool, dark and upright with the cap closed, out of reach of children. Close the cap tightly after use to prevent the ethanol from evaporating. At Dutch-Smart you will also find Wild Lettuce as a dried herb, as a 50x extract and as a growing seed.