Where to Find Wild Lettuce
For an in-depth guide on the locations where wild lettuce can be found and information on growing the plant, see our Where to Find Wild Lettuce article!
Most wild lettuce plants are pioneer species. They grow and thrive in disturbed areas. They do not seem to mind even the hard clay of the Southeast. I find most of my wild lettuce in open fields that have not been mowed yet.
Wild lettuce species are weedy annual or biennials, heavy seeders, and grow primarily in disturbed areas. There is little to no concern with over harvesting, just make sure to leave a few individuals behind to disperse their seeds for the following season!
Who is this article for?
If you are interested in using wild lettuce as an herb, if you have worked with wild lettuce before, but want to expand your knowledge of preparing it, if you have heard of the medicinal properties of this plant, or want to learn more about wild lettuce in general, this article on making wild lettuce extract is for you!
The contents of this article include:
- The history of wild lettuce
- A step-by-step guide to extract wild lettuce and learn how to make a concentrated wild lettuce extract
- The chemicals in wild lettuce and its herbal actions
Not Included:
- Where wild lettuce can be found -> see our article here
- How to identify wild lettuce -> see our article here
Processing wild lettuce into condensed black syrup pain medicine
FAQ
What is wild lettuce resin used for?
What is the milky substance in wild lettuce?
How do you make a wild lettuce extract?
Pro tip: You can also make a wild lettuce extract with dried plant matter. If you forage a lot in season and want to preserve the harvest for year-round use, dry the excess, store it, and extract it as needed. My plants are small since I grow them indoors, but wild-foraged varieties will be larger at the bolting stage. 3. Blend With Alcohol
How to shred iceberg lettuce?
The ideal is thin cuts of lettuce. First remove the stem and cut the lettuce into equal pieces. Second step, remove any wilted or damaged outer leaves. O Cut the remaining lettuce in half and then cut the halves in half again. Leaving the lettuce in pieces ensures thinner strips.
How do you make a wild lettuce tincture?
Read about how we made a wild lettuce tincture. *I’ve seen various recommendations for the ratio of lettuce to stripper. You should be good with a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio of wild lettuce to stripper. Or, use 8oz of stripper for 4 giant plants. If using dried, use a ratio of 1:4 or 1:5.
How to make wild lettuce tea?
Note that wild lettuce tea has a very bitter taste. Add some honey and lemon to make it taste better. You can also mix it with other types of tea to mask the taste. If you don’t want to make your own, you can buy the leaf tea on Amazon. Extracts are very easy to make, but you have to be careful that you don’t overheat the plant.