W
Extracts (Wild Indigo) — Isoflavones are estrogenic (PNC). Ethanol extracts stimulate phago-
cytosis, raising leukocyte counts (PHR). Polysaccharides stimulate antibody production (PNC).
Baptisia tinctoria, like red clover, may contain biochanin-A, daidzein, and genistein. Genistein
induces apoptosis and inhibits mitosis in rat ovarian granulosa in vitro, and has inhibited all
sorts of tumors in vitro, breast, carcinoma, gastric, gastrointestinal, leukemia, lymphocytic
leukemia, medullablastoma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, and ovarian cancer types. Reportedly,
daidzein inhibited differentiation in human leukemia HL-60 cells, B16 melanoma cells, and
HL-60 cells.
WILD LETTUCE (Lactuca virosa L.) ++Activities (Wild Lettuce) — Allergenic (1; CAN); Analgesic (1; APA; CRC; FAD; PHR; PH2);
Anaphrodisiac (f; MAD); Antispasmodic (1; CAN; PHR; PH2); Antitussive (f; CRC); Candidicide
(1; APA); CNS Depressant (f; APA); Collyrium (f; CRC); Dermatitigenic (f; FAD); Diaphoretic
(f; CRC); Diuretic (f; CRC; FAD; MAD); Emmenagogue (f; MAD); Expectorant (f; CRC);
Fungicide (1; APA); Hallucinogen (f; APA); Hypnotic (f; CAN; CRC); Hypotensive (1; APA);
Lactagogue (f; CRC; FAD); Laxative (f; CRC); Narcotic (f; PHR; PH2); Nervine (f; FAD);
Poison (f; CRC); Sedative (1; APA; CAN; FAD; MAD); Soporific (f; APA; CRC); Tonic (f;
FAD); Tranquilizer (f; PHR).
Indications (Wild Lettuce) — Acne (f; FAD); Arthrosis (f; CAN); Asthma (f; CRC; PHR; PH2);
Atherosclerosis (f; CRC; HHB; PHR; PH2); Blennorrhea (f; MAD); Bronchosis (f; PHR; PH2);
Cancer (f; CRC); Candida (1; APA); Catarrh (f; PH2); Colic (f; CRC); Constipation (f; CRC);
Cough (f; APA; CAN; PHR; PH2); Cramp (1; CAN; MAD; PHR; PH2); Cystosis (f; MAD);
Dermatosis (f; FAD); Dropsy (f; CRC; MAD); Dysmenorrhea (f; CAN); Dyspnea (f; MAD);
Dysuria (f; CRC; PH2); Fever (f; CRC); Fungus (1; APA); Gout (f; CRC); Hepatosis (f; CRC;
HHB; PH2); High Blood Pressure (1; APA); Hyperkinesis (f; CAN); Infection (1; APA); Insomnia
(1; APA; CAN; FAD; MAD); Jaundice (f; CRC); Laryngosis (f; CRC; MAD; PH2); Mycosis (1;
APA); Myosis (f; CAN); Nervousness (1; APA; CAN; FAD; MAD; PHR); Nymphomania (f;
CAN); Ophthalmia (f; MAD); Pain (1; APA; CAN; CRC; FAD; MAD; PHR; PH2); Pertussis (f;
CAN; CRC; PHR; PH2); Poison Ivy (f; FAD); Priapism (f; CAN; MAD); Rheumatism (f; APA);
Scrofula (f; MAD); Spermatorrhea (f; MAD); Strangury (f; CRC); Swelling (f; HHB; PH2);
Tracheosis (f; CRC; HHB; PH2); UTI (f; PHR); Wart (f; FAD); Water Retention (f; CRC; FAD;
MAD); Yeast (1; APA).
Dosages (Wild Lettuce) — 0.5–3 g dry leaf, or in tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 0.3–1 g soft leaf extract
(CAN); 0.5–3 ml liquid leaf extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 0.3–1 g lactucarium
(dried latex) 3 ×/day (CAN; HHB; MAD).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wild Lettuce) — Class 1 (AHP) but class
2b. Australians council against exceeding dosage. Contraindicated in BPH and glaucoma (AHP).
“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) (but PH2 desig-
nates no specific quantified dosage! JAD). I do not believe the CAN listing of hyoscyamine
(usually in Solanaceae), nor morphine (only in poppy) in wild or tame lettuce. Lettuce may
contain allergenic sesquiterpenes. Overgrazing on immature wild lettuce has caused dyspnea,
pulmonary emphysema, and weakness in cattle. In view of the lack of toxicological data, and
the possible allergic activity, excessive use, especially during lactation and pregnancy, should be
avoided. Overdoses may cause coma, depressed respiration, dizziness, mydriasis, stupor, tachy-
cardia, tinnitus, and even death (CAN; PH2). Lactucarium is mydriatic; Lactucin and lactupicrin
are sedatives, but do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier.