Evidence supporting the use of: Lactucarium
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lactucarium, often referred to as "lettuce opium," is a milky latex derived from Lactuca virosa and related lettuce species. Its use as a remedy for cough, particularly dry or irritating coughs, is primarily rooted in traditional herbal medicine. Historical records from the 19th and early 20th centuries describe lactucarium as a mild sedative and antitussive (cough suppressant), likely due to its purported opiate-like effects, though it does not contain true opiates. It was commonly included in cough syrups and lozenges before the advent of modern pharmaceuticals. However, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for treating cough is minimal. Most claims are based on anecdotal reports or historical usage rather than controlled clinical studies. The active compounds, including lactucin and lactucopicrin, have been investigated for mild sedative and analgesic effects, but there is little direct research on their impact on cough reflex or respiratory irritation. Modern pharmacological literature generally regards lactucarium's effects as weak and unreliable compared to contemporary antitussives. In summary, the use of lactucarium for dry cough is justified primarily by traditional use, with scant scientific validation. While it played a role in historical herbal medicine, it is not widely used or recommended today due to insufficient evidence of efficacy and the availability of more effective treatments.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
AcaciaAconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alcohol
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
anise
apple
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balloon flower
banana
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
bermuda grass
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
Bryonia
Buddha\'s hand
burning bush
butternut
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
cat's claw
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chinese salvia root
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
Clerodendrum indicum
clove
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fringed pink
fritillaria
fritillary
fruit
Fumaria parviflora
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
Hempnettle
honey
honey loquat syrup
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
Lilium polyphyllum
linden
Lindera
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
luffa
lungwort
mace
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marshmallow
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mucilage
Mullein
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
Osha
Osmanthus
Palmyra
Paris polyphylla
parsley
pear
Pelargonium
Pepper
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
polymorpha
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
radish
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
Sedanenolide
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Stemona
Stephania root
Sundew
sweet flag
Tamarind
Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Tonka Bean
Tragacanth
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Lactucarium
Abdominal PainAnxiety
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Insomnia
Pain (general remedies for)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress