Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Lactucarium, sometimes called "lettuce opium," is a milky latex derived from certain species of lettuce, most notably Lactuca virosa. Historically, it has been used in European herbal medicine as a mild sedative and anxiolytic. References to its use date back to the 19th century, when it was sometimes employed as a substitute for opium due to its supposed calming and sleep-inducing effects. However, the evidence supporting its efficacy for anxiety is largely anecdotal and based on traditional herbal texts rather than rigorous scientific study.

Modern research on lactucarium and its active compounds (such as lactucin and lactucopicrin) is extremely limited. There are no well-conducted clinical trials or robust pharmacological studies confirming its effectiveness for anxiety in humans. Most contemporary sources that mention lactucarium for anxiety rely on historical accounts and traditional use, rather than empirical data. As a result, while its use for anxiety is justified by tradition, the quality of evidence is very low and should not be seen as clinically validated.

More about Lactucarium
More about Anxiety

Other ingredients used for Anxiety

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
citrus oil
clove
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fennel
gardenia
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
guayusa
hemp oil
hops
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
kava
kudzu
L-glycine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
phellodendron amurense
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhizome
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
skullcap
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
zinc
squawvine
catnip
gastrodia
cardamom
shen-chu
mugwort
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
silk tree
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
menthol oil
St. John's Wort
wood betony
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cocoa
soursop
geranium
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Ash
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Agrimony
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Aconite
Agmatine
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteracea
Aniracetam
Amor seco
Betony
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Balsam
Bayleaf
Bacopin
Baicalein
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bee products
Bombax
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Caryophyllene
Common Monkey Flower
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Chinese Raisintree
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Curcuma
Catuaba
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Clostridium butyricum
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Clerodendrum indicum
Canscora
Cannabigerol
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dragonhead
Erythrina
Essential Oil Blend
Eugenol
Fragrant Rosewood
Ficus religiosa
Fatty acids
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Glycine
Gardenia jasminoides
Gastrodin
Honokiol
Hyperoside
Heal-All
Hypericum
hyperforin
Herb Robert
Hericium mushroom
Hemp
Honeybush
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
Ilex
Indian Fagonia
jasmine
Jujubosides
Jatamansi
Kavalactones
Kefir
lemon balm
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactucarium
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactucopicrin
Ligustilides
Lavandin
Lotus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Large-Leaved Linden
Mimosa
Poppy
Rose
Sophora
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
yohimbine

Other health conditions supported by Lactucarium

Abdominal Pain
Anxiety
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Insomnia
Pain (general remedies for)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress

Products containing Lactucarium

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.