Evidence supporting the use of: Lettuce
For the health condition: Insomnia

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) has a long history of traditional use as a remedy for insomnia and sleep disturbances. In several traditional medicines, particularly in ancient Greek, Roman, and Middle Eastern practices, lettuce was thought to have mild sedative properties. The milky latex (lactucarium) found in some varieties of lettuce was sometimes referred to as “lettuce opium” and used as a natural sedative. Historical texts describe the use of lettuce juice or lettuce extracts to promote relaxation and sleep.

Scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited. Some animal studies have suggested that specific extracts from lettuce may have central nervous system depressant effects and can prolong sleep time in rodents. These effects are thought to be due to compounds such as lactucin and lactucopicrin, which may interact with neurotransmitter systems involved in sleep regulation. However, rigorous clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the sedative effects observed in animal studies do not necessarily translate to significant or reliable benefits for human insomnia.

In summary, lettuce’s use as an insomnia remedy is primarily justified by tradition and historical use, with only weak supporting evidence from preliminary scientific research. It should not be relied upon as a primary treatment for insomnia without further scientific validation.

More about lettuce
More about Insomnia

Other ingredients used for Insomnia

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Banyan
Brahmi
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut

Products containing lettuce

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