Tall Blue Lettuce(Lactuca biennis)
Other Names:
blue wood lettuce
Range:
Family:
Asteraceae - Daisy Family
Growth Type:
Herbaceous biennial
Height:
2 - 10 ft in height
Leaves:
There are deeply lobed, toothed leaves all along the stem.
Stem/Trunk:
Tall erect reddish/purplish stem
Root:
Taproot
Flower Season:
Mid summer to Autumn
Flower Appearance:
Branching clusters of blue to whitish tube shaped flowers about 1/2 inch long.
Seed/Fruit:
Flower ripen to form small seed heads containing brown, flattened, seeds.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
L. biennis is very similar in size and characteristic to L. canadensis.
Habitat:
Shaded areas with moist rich soils
Parts Used:
Roots medicinally
Culinary Uses:
None known
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Decoct the roots to treat pain. There is anecdotal evidence that root decoction has been used historically to treat cardiac problems, diarrhea and vomiting.
I tincured a very large specimen. I prepared a tincture of the roots, one of the stem, and one of the leaves. I was interested to see the differences in the actions between the tinctures. My results were as follows:
Tinctured leaves: Actons - Analgesic and Nervine. The pain relief and calming actions of the leaf tincture were fine for mild to moderate symptoms. The leaf tincture did not work as well for extreme pain.
Tinctured Stem: Actons - Analgesic and Nervine. The pain relief and calming actions of the stem tincture were very similar to those of the leaf tincture.
Tinctured Roots: Actons - Analgesic, Narcotic, Nervine, Sedative. The root tincture was the strongest of all. The pain relief and calming effects were great. I was very surprised by the narcotic effects of this tincture. They were also quite long lasting. I noticed the effects took about 45 minutes to manifest, but then they lasted for at least 4 hours. They also allowed me to obtain a recuperative sleep.
This plant contains a white, milky, latex, sap called lactucarium. This sap is present in the leaves, stem, and roots of the plant. When the plant is young, there is very little of this latex sap, but levels increase as the plant matures. It is medicinally strongest when the plant is in flower. This plant is prized for its relaxing and sedative properties. There is anecdotal evidence that it was used historically as an effective pain reliever. There are members of the Lactuca genus who's sap has a narcotic effect. Historically this plant has been used to ease anxiety, to induce sleep, and as a mild hypnotic. It's effects are said to be similar to those of opiates. That led to the common name poor man's opium.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic,
Antiemetic,
Hemostatic,
Narcotic,
Nervine,
Sedative
Herbal Preparations For Lactuca biennis
Tea
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped leaves in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: drink a mug as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped plant material into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Decoction
Part Used: Rhizome
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped rhizome into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Rhizome
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 75% (Or the highest percentage you can purchase)
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Fill a small jar 3/4 full with chopped rhizome and then pour in 750 ml of 150 proof Everclear (or the highest proof you can get), or other alcohol. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops up to 4 times daily as needed
