For centuries, tinctures have been used as a natural and effective form of medicine. All tinctures crafted at Happy Girl Farm are created in small batches using only the highest quality ingredients. The only components in our tinctures are medicinal herbs, vodka, water and a sprinkle of magic. That’s it!
What is Wild Lettuce?
Wild lettuce is a plant. The scientific name is Lactuca virosa. The leaves, sap (latex), and seed are used to make medicine. Also known as “lettuce opium”, Wild lettuce has calming, relaxing, and pain relieving effects.
Wild lettuce is more than just lettuce grown in the wild; it is a species of plant used frequently in herbal medicine. Wild lettuce is closely related to dandelion and is believed to have sedative and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. It is often used as a natural remedy for stress and chronic pain.
What are the medicinal benefits of Wild Lettuce?
Wild lettuce is used for whooping cough, asthma, cough, trouble sleeping (insomnia), restlessness, anxiety, excitability in children, painful menstrual periods, muscular or joint pains, and as an opium substitute in cough preparations.
Wild lettuce is also said to kill a wide range of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Some refer to wild lettuce as the "poor man's opium" as it is said to trigger mild-altering effects if consumed in excess.
What are the scientific components (plant chemicals) of wild lettuce that make the medicine?
Wild lettuce contains two compounds—lactucin and lactucopicrin—that act on the central nervous system. Wild lettuce has the highest concentration of lactucopicrin of all plants.
Who should NOT use a wild lettuce tincture?
The white, milky “sap” from the wild lettuce is in the same plant family as rubber and latex. Therefore, if you have an allergy to latex, rubber or any of its derivatives, you should use wild lettuce with caution. Some people may experience skin irritation if the white sap of wild lettuce is applied to the skin. This is especially true for people with a latex allergy.
Wild lettuce might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking wild lettuce along with other sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. You should avoid wild lettuce if you are taking sedatives or any sedating drug, including alcohol, opioids, or antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
How is a medicinal tincture different from an essential oil?
Essential oils are extracted from plants using several different methods, including steam distillation and mechanical expression (squeezing the oils out of the plant).
Tinctures use a medium (usually alcohol, water or glycerin) to extract the medicinal benefits of the herbs over time. The longer the tinctures infuse in the medium, the more medicinal properties are extracted.
Why is alcohol used in a tincture?
Vodka (or any other form of alcohol) is used in a tincture to draw out the medicinal properties of the herb. Most tinctures are allowed to infuse for three months or more to ensure the maximum potency of the medicine.
What is the best way to take a tincture?
All tinctures are provided with a dropper bottle. Start with one dropperful and evaluate your response. Titrate to effect. (Take more or less depending on your symptoms). Any time you have questions or concerns, please contact us and we look forward to assisting you.
What if I don’t like the taste of alcohol in my tincture?
The most convenient way to take your tincture is to place the medicine directly under your tongue. This method is referred to as “sub-lingual” and has been shown to be as effective as intravenous or “IV” administration. However, if the taste of the alcohol is too strong, just mix the medicine in the beverage of your choice.