Wild lettuce lactucarium extract recipe

• 100 g dried wild lettuce 
• 2 litres of 45% alcohol

• Decoct the wild lettuce in one litre of 45% alcohol on an electric cooker in a well ventilated room. 
• Leave to decoct for an hour, then strain the mixture into a clean bowl (there should be around 200 ml remaining). 
• Retain the decoction to one side. 
• Rinse the marc with the remaining litre of 45% alcohol allowing the residue to trickle into a bowl underneath. 
• Add the original 200 ml decoction to the bowl and simmer until there is only 100 ml remaining. Take great care not to burn the mixture. 
• Evaporate the remaining 100 ml mixture carefully in a bain-marie, or dehydrate in the oven under 100C, or in the sun. 
• This should condense down to around 10 g leaving a 10:1 lactucarium extract meaning that 0.1 g is equal to 1 g wild lettuce. 
• This can be used by dissolving a pinhead sized amount in a teaspoon of 25% alcohol or taken sublingually.

Store the resinous extract in a sealed container out of direct sunlight and label. 

There is a further step for those who prefer to have this extract in a liquid form, and that involves dissolving the resinous mixture in 45% alcohol at four times the weight of the resin. This will extend the shelf life and allow for more ease of use.

Wild lettuce has been used in European folk tradition for hundreds of years as a sedative and painkiller, and was historically used as an alternative to opium as it has fewer side effects. It is currently used to help relieve muscle pain and insomnia.

Wild lettuce has narcotic and antispasmodic actions and thus can help to relieve tension in both the nervous system, bringing a sense of relaxation and calm as well as for the musculoskeletal system by relaxing muscles and reducing spasm. The bitterness is attributed to the sesquiterpene lactones, which help to stimulate bile flow and aid digestion. The antispasmodic action also indicates wild lettuce in treating coughs, especially if they are preventing a good night’s sleep.

Wild lettuce has been known to cause allergic reactions in some individuals, and should be avoided in those with a latex allergy. It can be toxic in high doses, with signs of overdose including dizziness, sweating, sensitivity to light and arrhythmias, therefore it is advisable to exercise caution and use the plant judiciously (1,3,4).

What is the best method for drying the wild lettuce?

The most efficient way is to use a dehydrator, as this will help retain more of the vitality of the plant, however the sun method and oven drying will also work well. 

Can this lactucarium extract recipe be done with fresh plant material?

For this particular lactucarium extract recipe, dried plant material is typically used, however a tincture can be made with the fresh material. If using fresh, it is recommended to use a high percentage of alcohol to extract the active constituents, and the finished product will not be as potent as the above-outlined lactucarium extract. 

1. Mcintyre A. Complete Herbal Tutor : The Definitive Guide to the Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine (Second Edition). Aeon Books Limited; 2019.
2. King J, Wickes Felter H, Lloyd JU. King’s American Dispensatory. Ohio Valley Co; 1909.
3. Besharat S, Besharat M, Jabbari A. Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) toxicity. Case Reports. 2009;2009(apr23 1):bcr0620080134-bcr0620080134. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0134
4. Natural Medicines Database. Wild lettuce. Therapeuticresearch.com. Published 2025. Accessed July 3, 2025. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/Data/ProMonographs/Wild-Lettuce