Evidence supporting the use of: Lactucarium
For the health condition: Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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Synopsis

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

Lactucarium, often referred to as "lettuce opium," is a milky fluid derived from the wild lettuce plant (Lactuca virosa). Its use as a sedative and sleep aid dates back to ancient and 19th-century European herbal traditions. Folk medicine practitioners employed lactucarium to calm restlessness, treat insomnia, and soothe coughs, based on its mild narcotic-like effects. Historical texts and pharmacopeias from the 1800s document its inclusion as an ingredient in sleep-promoting remedies and syrups, especially before the advent of modern sedatives.

However, scientific validation for lactucarium’s efficacy in treating disturbed or restless sleep is limited. The active compounds, such as lactucin and lactucopicrin, have shown some sedative effects in animal models, but rigorous human clinical trials are lacking. Most available data are anecdotal or based on traditional use rather than robust clinical evidence. Consequently, while lactucarium continues to be referenced in herbal medicine circles for its calming properties, its effectiveness for sleep disorders is supported primarily by tradition and historical records, rather than by strong scientific proof.

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