WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Lactucarium
LACTUCARIUM
The dried or concrete milk-juice of Lactuca virosa, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). South and Central Europe. Dose, 5 to 20 grains. Common Name: Lettuce Opium. Principal Constituents.Lactucin (C11H14O4), lactucerin (lactucone), lactucopicrin, lactucic acid, and a comphoraceous volatile oil. Preparations.1. Tinctura Lactucarii, Tincture of Lactucarium, (50 per cent strength). Dose, 30 to 60 drops. 2. Syrupus Lactucarii, Syrup of Lactucarium (prepared from Tincture). Dose, 1- 3 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.-A non-constipating calmative and feeble hypnotic, sometimes proving useful in insomn ia from mental overwork and, as a syrup, in the cough of phthisis. Even garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa) relieves irritation of the broncho-pulmonic membranes and has a tendency to induce drowsiness. Lactucarium is often inert; when a good preparation can be obtained it is fairly sedative for irritable children.1
The dried or concrete milk-juice of Lactuca virosa, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). South and Central Europe. Dose, 5 to 20 grains. Common Name: Lettuce Opium. Principal Constituents.Lactucin (C11H14O4), lactucerin (lactucone), lactucopicrin, lactucic acid, and a comphoraceous volatile oil. Preparations.1. Tinctura Lactucarii, Tincture of Lactucarium, (50 per cent strength). Dose, 30 to 60 drops. 2. Syrupus Lactucarii, Syrup of Lactucarium (prepared from Tincture). Dose, 1- 3 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.-A non-constipating calmative and feeble hypnotic, sometimes proving useful in insomn ia from mental overwork and, as a syrup, in the cough of phthisis. Even garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa) relieves irritation of the broncho-pulmonic membranes and has a tendency to induce drowsiness. Lactucarium is often inert; when a good preparation can be obtained it is fairly sedative for irritable children.1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.