Lactuca (genus)

With just five calories per cup, leaf lettuce also packs in vitamins A, B6, C, and K, as well as calcium, magnesium, fibre, iron, and potassium

Lactuca canadensis, L. serriola(prickly wild lettuce), L. virosa(bitter wild lettuce) as follows:

Wild lettuce calms the nervous system, aids sleep, relaxes the ganglions, and relieves pain.

The dried leaves can be smoked to ease pain and calm stress.

Topically, wild lettuce can be prepared as a wash or included in lotions to get rid of acne. The latex can be applied topically to get rid of warts or calm the itch of poison ivy.

Lettuce (Lactuca spp.) is one of the most popular leafy vegetable consumed as a salad in most parts of the world, contributing significantly to a good nutritional intake in the human diet. Since it is generally eaten raw, a greater amount of nutrients is retained by the organism when compared to other cooked or processed vegetables. Some Lactuca species have been used as a dietary source and as medicinal plants since old times.

Profiling of sesquiterpene lactones from lactuca species: major latex components are novel oxalate and sulfate conjugates of lactucin and its derivatives

Sedative Effects of Latexes Obtained from Some *Lactuca* L. Species Growing in Turkey.

Fermented lettuce extract containing nitric oxide metabolites attenuates inflammatory parameters.

Contraindications

Wild lettuce is best used only under the guidance of a qualified health care professional. Moderate doses can cause drowsiness, while large doses can give rise to excessive sexual urges or insomnia. Very large doses can be fatal.

The latex from the plant can cause eye irritation or contact dermatitis in some individuals.