Prickly Lettuce, Milk Weed, Milk Thistle, Lactica Seriola there are many names for this common plant and most of us are all too familiar with it. We pull it up, mow it down and spray it with poison and still it comes back year after year, but do we really know it?
Wild lettuce comes in many forms with Prickly Lettuce being one of the most common in my area. I waged war on it year after year and it proved to be a real headache, little did I know it was also the cure for that headache and many other aches and pains.
Using wild lettuce for a pain killer couldn’t be easier and it works astonishingly well.
I use it as a tincture mostly, because it has a great shelf life and is super easy to make.
Sure there are other ways to use it and even to make it more powerful, but I will start with the easiest way first.
- Collect the leaves from the plant and wash them.
- Lightly chop then into small pieces and allow air dry.
- Place then in a canning jar filling 1/3 to 1/2 way to the top.
- Fill the jar with 100 proof vodka leaving a small amount of air at the top.
- Seal the jar and place in a cool place to steep for approx 4 weeks. Shake every few days. (Don’t forget to date the jar so you know when it’s done)
- Strain the resulting Tincture and bottle for later use.
Dosage: up to 1ml for adults. as needed for pain.
This is great for treating headache, toothache, muscle aches arthritis pain, etc…
So now you know, Leave a small patch of weeds in the garden for medicinal purposes.
Adventures of Oregon Man 
I just want to say Thank You very much from South Africa. I was praying to find a solution for menstrual cycle pain, and Our Heavenly Father showed me this plant this morning. I love the way that you explain how to make the medicine. Thanks a Million and Lots n Lots if Blessings to you 🌻🌻🌻 Are you on FB or any platforms where I can learn more things from you?
LikeLike
Thank you for this fine knowledge. What’s the purpose of the vodka? Is it an agent that reacts with the active ingredient of the plant? Also, can one simply make tea from the leaves and obtain similar results? Thank you!
Clyde Giaquinto
LikeLike
The vodka just extracts the good stuff from the plant material and perserves it for storage and later use.
Boiling it would do the same but not last as long.
Thank you for your interest.
–Sam
LikeLike
Very good question! I can’t have alcohol
LikeLike
I’ve been dealing with back and joint pain for several years. Following the Dorecho storm (August 10, 2020) here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I’ve had this weed and many other plants growing all around my backyard! I have been trying to identify them and figure out what to get rid of and what to keep. I love how nature can supply our needs, if we truly seek the knowledge!
Thank you for sharing the information.
LikeLike