I guess it was about 2011. A woman came into our apothecary on Main street in the little western town of Elizabeth. She crossed the creaky hundred year old wood floors of our old shop and stood at the glass counter and told me how she saw a program where Dr. Oz said that wild lettuce was a strong pain reliever.

Why do I remember those details so well? Perhaps because I feel a little silly because I told her that was ridiculous. Lettuce? What will these television personalities say next? Listen, honey, it’s high in Vitamin C, but pain relieving? I think not.

I guess the key word there was “wild.” Over the years I have struggled with headaches. I am a very good herbalist. I can help people find a remedy for anything, but for my own headaches? Forget about it. I have had to take NSAIDs and sometimes they would work. I make the strongest pain relievers made from analgesics and nervines and anti-inflammatories. Really, I have seen them work on everything…except my headaches.

This year I have been reintroduced to lettuce, the wild kind, the one I mistook for thistle. It grows in a rosette, with a long stalk and leaves that have spiny thorns along the backs of the leaves. Not really sharp until they get older, but very noticeable. The Doctrine of Signatures, which is the interesting subject where what an herb or food looks like is what it might treat, would indicate that the spines along the leaves would be spinal cord and nervous system. Opiate lettuce, I read. (Not a real opiate though!) I have been researching it, testing it, using it on myself, giving it to my customers. And folks, I am blown away. It completely takes away my headaches. I have added it to my Arthritis and Nerve Pain formulas. It is completely safe to take.

Articles state that the sap is what is medicinal. In herbalism, we never isolate a constituent from a plant. One needs the entire plant to balance all the necessary components for healing. I have been taking two leaves a day and making a fresh tea. I add rose hips, horsetail, chai tea, or just whatever I wish. Add honey or agave and let steep for ten minutes. Add a little oat milk if you like. Miraculous.

So, next time you see Wild Lettuce, ask the plant if you can take a few leaves and try it yourself. It could be the pain relief you have been looking for!