Introduction:
Few realize that wild lettuce — a plant found in backyards, fields, and roadsides around the world — produces a milky sap historically prized as a natural sedative. Sometimes referred to as “lettuce opium” (though it contains no actual opiates), wild lettuce sap has been used in folk medicine for centuries to ease insomnia, reduce anxiety, calm migraines, and relieve muscle pain. This recipe shows you how to extract and prepare this sap into a gentle syrup you can use before bedtime.
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh wild lettuce leaves and stems (Lactuca virosa or Lactuca serriola)
2 cups distilled water
1/2 cup raw honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional, for taste and preservation)
Instructions:
Rinse the wild lettuce thoroughly to remove dirt and insects.
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