Lactuca serriola L.
Asteraceae (Compositae)
- Lactuca scariola L.
- Prickly Lettuce
- khas al-zait خس الزيت
- khas barri خس بري
- khas el-baqar خَس البقر
- khas el-himar خس الحمار
- lubbein لبين
- חַסַּת הַמַּצְפֵּן
- khasat ha-matzpen
Annual
- Disturbed habitats
- Nutrient-rich soils
- ruderal
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distribution and other botanical details.
Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Lactuca serriola L.
System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dermatological | Antiseptic for skin lesions |
Antiseptic | 1. Use juice of the plant, as a salve |
Aerial parts | Z |
Dermatological | Skin fungi, acne & scabies |
Anti-acne, Anti-fungal, Scabicide | Apply milky juice of the plant to skin. |
Latex | Z |
Dermatological | Warts |
Anti-Infective | Grind leaves & aerial parts & apply as poultice to affected area. |
Aerial parts | B |
Gastrointestinal | Haemorrhoids |
Anti-haemorrhoidal | Grind leaves & aerial parts & apply as poultice to affected area. |
Aerial parts | B |
Mental health | Madness or black bile [/depression] |
Anti-depressant, Anti-psychotic | Hang leaves on the patient as a good luck charm. |
Leaf | Z |
Oral Health | Toothache |
Analgesic | 1.Cook raw leaves & rinse mouth out with the water. |
Leaf | Z |
Ritual /Ceremonial | Against the evil eye |
Ritual | Hang leaves on the patient as a good luck charm. |
Leaf | Z |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
Lactuca genus has some species which may contain sesquiterpenelactone which is allergenic. Contraindicated in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) & glaucoma. Overdose can cause depressed respiration, dizziness, mydriasis, stupor, tachycardia, tinnitus & death. Grazing on immature wild lettuce by cattle & sheep etc. can cause sickness.